Truly Toxic

Will my dog get sick if he eats a laundry-detergent pod?

These brightly colored plastic pods have been known to poison humans when swallowed. They are especially dangerous for children, who are attracted to the candy-like packaging. Since the pods are easy to use, many households have containers of them near the washing machine. If a dog licks a pod or a small spill of the contents, some drooling, gagging or heaving may occur. Eating an entire pod will make your dog very sick.

One of the reasons the pods are toxic is that the detergent in them is more concentrated than in bottled formulations. Their small size makes them easy to consume in a single bite. Curious dogs may gulp down several at once. Since the pods are meant to dissolve in water, saliva can lead to a release of the contents even if the dog has not actually bitten through the packaging. Dry pods do not pop easily just by squeezing, but once the pod is moistened by water or saliva, the contents will ooze out.

When a dog bites into a pod, the detergents are forcefully expelled and may be aspirated into the lungs as well as swallowed. Ingestion of multiple packets also poses a risk for intestinal obstruction and erosive sores from prolonged contact with the lining of the intestines.

The most common symptom of detergent ingestion is vomiting. One problem with detergent is that it is foamy. When the dog vomits, the foam can be inhaled into the lungs. In the worst cases, the soap coats the airways and prevents oxygen exchange in the lungs. This eventually leads to suffocation. More commonly, it can cause coughing, difficulty breathing and inflammation of the lung tissues. Gagging and retching are also a result of irritation in the back of the throat.

What should I do if my dog eats a laundry-detergent pod?

If your dog ingests laundry detergent in either the pod, powder or liquid form, contact your veterinarian or a poison-control hotline immediately. Maybe your dog has only licked or swallowed a small amount and there is no vomiting; you could then dose your dog with small amounts of water and milk to dilute the substance. If there is any detergent on the fur, rinse it off completely with water. Any dog that vomits repeatedly or has trouble breathing should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

Laundry detergent doesn’t seem to be considered a dangerous household chemical in the same way as bleach or insecticides. Owners may unintentionally leave detergent pods where a dog can get at them. To be safe, keep all forms of laundry detergent tightly closed in a safe place that your dog cannot reach. If a spill occurs, get it cleaned up right away to avoid potential problems. This advice applies as well for dishwasher soap, powder and pods.

Is antifreeze harmful to dogs?

Yes, antifreeze is extremely toxic to dogs. Usually dogs are exposed to antifreeze in the summer and winter. They find the sweet-flavored liquid appealing and drink it. A small dog can ingest a fatal amount by simply licking its paws after walking through a puddle of the liquid. Five tablespoons are enough to kill a medium-sized dog.

Your dog may come in contact with antifreeze that has dripped from a car’s radiator. Another source of exposure is antifreeze that has been added to a toilet bowl. This occurs in homes where the residents use antifreeze during the cold months to “winterize” their pipes. Even if you don’t put antifreeze in the pipes in your own home, it is something to be aware of when visiting other homes or vacationing at another winter residence. The antifreeze used to winterize recreational vehicles is usually the pink, “non-toxic” kind.

Other sources of antifreeze include windshield de-icing agents, hydraulic brake fluid, motor oil, developing solutions for hobby photographers, wood stains, solvents and paints. There are some reports of small amounts of antifreeze in holiday ornaments such as imported snow globes.

The toxic component of antifreeze is ethylene glycol. It is metabolized by the body to highly poisonous metabolites, which lead to the development of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys and sudden, severe kidney failure.

There are three stages seen with antifreeze poisoning:

• Stage 1 occurs within 30 minutes to 12 hours of ingestion and looks similar to alcohol poisoning. Symptoms include walking drunk, drooling, vomiting, seizures, and excessive thirst and urination.

• Stage 2 occurs 12 to 24 hours after a dog has gotten into antifreeze. The signs of “alcohol” poisoning appear to improve. However, severe underlying internal organ damage is occurring. The signs of drunkenness improve, but the dog develops other symptoms, including elevated heart rate, increased respiration effort and dehydration.

• Stage 3 occurs 36 to 72 hours after drinking antifreeze. During this stage, severe kidney failure is developing as a result of the calcium crystals forming in the kidneys. Severe lethargy, depression, coma, vomiting, seizures, drooling and lack of appetite may be seen.

Is there treatment for antifreeze toxicity?

Treatment for antifreeze poisoning needs to be started as soon as possible. In order to be effective, it must be no later than eight to 12 hours after ingestion. After that time frame, any treatment is not usually effective. Once a dog has developed kidney failure, the prognosis for recovery is poor and most dogs will die.

If you see your dog drink antifreeze, it is recommended that you give hydrogen peroxide to make him vomit. If you are unable to get him to vomit, you should get the dog to a veterinarian ASAP. Once any antifreeze in the stomach is removed, activated charcoal is given to neutralize the toxic properties of the antifreeze.

There are only two antidotes for antifreeze poisoning. These are ethanol or 4-MP (fomepizole). They prevent the liver from converting antifreeze into the toxic metabolites that lead to calcium-crystal formation in the kidneys. This allows the unconverted antifreeze to pass in the urine. These drugs are useful only when given early and are not effective after the dog is showing signs of kidney damage.

Occasionally, dogs in kidney failure due to antifreeze poisoning can be saved with aggressive treatment. Some specialty veterinary practices offer dialysis, which can be used to eliminate waste products in the bloodstream that are not being removed by the affected kidneys. Whether the kidneys can repair themselves depends on how severely they are injured.

The best way to prevent antifreeze poisoning is to keep all new and used antifreeze in sealed containers and store them in a safe place out of your dog’s reach. Do not pour used antifreeze on the ground. Take it to a service station for disposal. Check your driveway for puddles of antifreeze that may have leaked from parked cars. When using antifreeze indoors in toilets, keep the lids down, the bathroom doors closed, and consider using a less toxic antifreeze alternative.