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What is Bleach Poisoning?
Many products used around the home like bleach and ammonia contain hazardous chemicals. If your dog happens to ingest any of these products, toxicity could result in complications within the digestive and respiratory systems. Bleach poisoning is considered one of the top ways that dogs can be affected by toxicity. It is important, then, to keep all household products hidden from your pet to prevent any accidents. If your pet does experience exposure to bleach, you should seek veterinarian assistance right away and not try to induce vomiting on your own. However, remember to remain calm, moving your dog into a safer area, especially if you notice any convulsion or tremor. In any case, call the veterinarian and explain the situation. This allows the veterinarian to prepare for your dog’s arrival.
Bleach poisoning happens when dogs ingest and absorb a considerable amount of bleach that usually results in a high level of toxicity along with other noticeable symptoms.
Bleach Poisoning Average Cost
From 478 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,500
Symptoms of Bleach Poisoning in Dogs
When your dog ingests bleach, there are several symptoms that occur. The hair around the dog’s paws and mouths might also be bleached and smell of chlorine. If your pet inhaled the fumes, you could notice signs of coughing, pulmonary irritation, and gasping. Other symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Lethargy
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Low blood pressure
- Coma
- Drooling
- Shock
- Burn
- Paw discoloration
- Diarrhea
- Agitation
- Nausea
- Weakened limbs
- Tremors
- Ulcerations on the paws or in the mouth
- Seizures
Types
There are various kinds of household products that contain bleach, acids, hydrocarbons and alkalis. These include:
- Paint thinner
- Toilet cleaner
- Gasoline
- Bleach
- Laundry detergent
- Drain cleaner
- Dishwashing liquid
- Kerosene
- Furniture polish
- Oven cleaner
- Paint remover
- Floor polish
- Caustic soda
- Lye
- Shoe polish
- Chlorine
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Causes of Bleach Poisoning in Dogs
Your dog is no different from other dogs that love to chew on plastic toys and think that they can put whatever they want in their mouths. Unfortunately, though, this only makes your dog prone to ingesting toxic materials, most of which could result in terrible side effects and sometimes, fatal results, if not immediately treated.
Poisoning due to inhalation of fumes or ingestion of bleach can cause effects such as aspiration pneumonia, blood serum changes, kidney damage, corrosivity of the gastrointestinal tract, and blood coagulation abnormalities.
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Diagnosis of Bleach Poisoning in Dogs
Once you take your dog to the veterinarian, you can expect that the goal is to immediately identify the poison in order to assess the contents. To do this, the veterinarian may induce vomiting and collect a sample of it in a plastic bag. If you administered any medication to your dog, you should take that along with you so the veterinarian can read the labels to see what is contained in it. If your dog has received burns to the mouth, it might take several hours to notice this. The veterinarian will still check the mouth to see if your pet flinches with touch. The stomach or esophagus may also be burned by the bleach. This may not be visible until an internal examination is done.
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Treatment of Bleach Poisoning in Dogs
When you take the dog to the clinic or emergency hospital, the stomach will be pumped using a method known as gastric lavage. The veterinarian could also possibly use hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in order to get rid of the toxic substance. Activated charcoal may be administered as a way to bind the toxins before inducing vomiting.
After this, there are several ways that your veterinarian will introduce treatment. The immediate treatment is to flush the area that is most exposed. Your veterinarian may also administer fluid therapy, ulcer medication for possible stomach burn and of course, supportive care for other symptoms.
Your veterinarian will use water to wash out the excess bleach from the mouth and fur. Even though this might seem simple, the veterinarian may also administer milk to soothe the stomach and dilute the ingested bleach.
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Recovery of Bleach Poisoning in Dogs
After treatment, the dog is monitored for a few hours before being released. This allows the veterinarian to ensure that the dog does not have any further complications such as skin reactions or more vomiting. After the dog goes home, it is the pet’s owner’s responsibility to continue to monitor the situation, but also to make changes around the home such as crate training or putting the dog in a kennel. The pet owner should also adequately pet proof the home by removing all hazardous substances and storing them in a secure place, away from curious noses and paws.
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Bleach Poisoning Average Cost
From 478 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,500
Top
Bleach Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Need pet health advice? Ask a vet
Ask a Vet
Rottweiler
Five Years
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Vomiting White Or Clear Slime
Last night after walking my dog he started vomiting a clear or white liquid. Then he threw up his food and has thrown up multiple times after the food came up. The vomit now is white/clear. There are particles of grass in the vomit and he just ate a lot of grass perhaps to help his stomach?
Sept. 8, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. That amount of vomiting may be concerning. If he ate something that he wasn't supposed to, it could be causing irritation to the stomach or GI tract. If he stops vomiting, you may be fine to give him a 12-hour fast where he can drink water but no food and no grass. After that if he is still not vomiting you can try feeding him a bland diet of boiled white chicken and boiled white rice for 2 to 3 days. If that settles his stomach, he may be okay. If he continues to vomit, he needs to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. I hope that everything goes well for him and he feels better soon.
Sept. 8, 2020
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Toy Poodle
One Year
Unknown severity
3 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
None
I suspect my dog ingested a very small amount of toilet water that had bleach in it.
Aug. 4, 2020
Owner
Dr. Gina U. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello For any suspected toxin ingestion, it is recommended that you contact a pet poison hotline (if you are in the US) or take your pet to a veterinarian for an exam. Bleach can be toxic to dogs so it is best to get him seen as soon as possible. Good luck.
Aug. 4, 2020
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Redbone Coonhound
One Year
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
None
I was adding chlorine to my pool, my dog stuck his tongue in the jug of chlorine, I seen the whole thing, he did not get a good drink of it, but he did taste it... I made him take a good drink of water, what else do I do? He has no symptoms.
July 31, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Chlorine bleach can be very irritating to the mouth, throat, and GI tract. You may have diluted it enough that it will not cause any problems, but it would be best to watch for any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, and if any of those things occur have your dog seen by a veterinarian immediately. I hope that you were able to dilute it enough that there are no signs, but it would be best to keep a very close eye out for the next 24 to 48 hours. I hope all goes well.
July 31, 2020
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Shiba Inu mix
One Year
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Lethargy
My dog is swaying and lethargic and won’t take down food the way she usually does
July 31, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. It is possible that your dog is having a muscle weakness or intestinal problem, and if it is not getting better, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to examine her, see what might be going on, and get treatment for her. I hope that all goes well for her!
July 31, 2020
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Goldendoodle
13 weeks
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
None
My dog licked a puddle of bleach water. One lick and ran away. Should I take her to an emergency vet? She’s 15 lbs and it was a tiny lick of diluted bleach.
July 31, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Bleach can be very toxic to the mucous membranes and GI tract. However, a small amount may not have caused any problem. It would be best to monitor your puppy for any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite. If she experiences any of those signs, it would be best to have her seen right away. Otherwise, she may be fine.
July 31, 2020
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Blue
Pit bull
8 Weeks
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Shaking
My puppy tipped of my bleach and water mixture when I was out of the room,and Was licking it! I pulled him away and cleaned him up.im not sure how much he got ahold oh. Would it be bleach position?
Luna & Bella
Pit bull
9 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Diarrhea
So we usually clean the outside porch with pine-sol ,water and a splash of bleach. I caught them both drinking out of it and stop them immediately.Right now my pups are showing no symptoms such as throwing up or drooling. Although, one of them pooped all liquid and I don't know if I should be worried and take them in to get a check up or wait and see if anymore symptoms pop up...?
Diego
Brittany (Spaniel)
1 Year
Fair severity
1 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
None Yet
So I was doing laundry and got a little bleach and detergent on my hand, I wiped it off and went about hanging my laundry. I never washed my hand and a couple of minutes later, my dog licked my hand. He isn’t showing any symptoms yet but I was wondering if that amount could cause any poisoning? Or if he’ll be okay?
Uzi
Siberian Husky
6 Months
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
Diarrhea
Vomited First Day
Poop Smells Like Bleach
My husky is 6 months old and has had really bad diarrhea, like really runny and no solids at all the first day you could tell that he wasn’t feeling well but now he acts normal. He plays and runs and is just overall a happy dog. He only vomited the first day he had the diarrhea. What concerns me is that it’s been 3 days and his poop has an almost bleach-like smell. the smell is really really bad
Zoey
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
6 Months
Critical severity
3 found helpful
Critical severity
Has Symptoms
Drooling
Coughing
Difficulty Breathing
Foaming At The Mouth
My 6 month old puppy had been struggling with a bad cough for months. I was getting ready to see a specialist. It had been a while since I cleaned her kennel and I thought it would help to sanitize her bed and blankets by washing them with bleach. Early in the morning after putting her in her kennel with the freshly cleaned bedding for the night, I found her in severe respiratory distress and drooling. Something I’d never seen before. I immediately brought her to the emergency room and they informed me that her lungs were completely filled with fluid and that she would not make it. We had to put her down. Could washing her blankets and sleep beds in bleach have triggered her death? It’s been 3 days since I visited her kennel since she died and I tried smelling to see if the bleach was apparent on her bedding. I don’t smell bleach but the fumes could be gone by now. Did I cause her death?
Bleach Poisoning Average Cost
From 478 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,500
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