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Bleach Poisoning in Dogs
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. It is important 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
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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
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.
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 stomach or esophagus may also be burned by the bleach. This may not be visible until an internal examination is done.
Treatment of Bleach Poisoning in Dogs
When you take the dog to the clinic or emergency hospital, your veterinarian may induce vomiting, or the stomach may be pumped using a method known as gastric lavage.
Activated charcoal may be administered as a way to bind the toxins.
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 to a few days 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.
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
Siberian husky mix boxer
Tundra
7 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Nov. 17, 2017
0 Recommendations
Nov. 17, 2017
I jst got home n there was a thing of bleach on the floor idk if he injested it he had some on his paws i gave him a bath and fed him he ate normal and has been drinking plenty of water I also gave them some milk don’t think I’ve really noticed that you were sneezing a lot but I don’t know if that was from the shower hes a pit pull puppy 12 weeks
Nov. 30, 2017
Nat M.
I had a small tub of pure Clorox bleach on the floor and mistakenly left it there for an hour. I'm not sure if my dog ingested it or not but a day later she is having very bad seizures while she is sleeping. Could it be possible that she ingested bleach? Or could it be old age? I've had her 14years.
Dec. 29, 2017
Janette S.
Pointer
DUke
Young
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Oct. 10, 2017
0 Recommendations
Oct. 10, 2017
I came home and my house smelled of bleach i looked around and when i found it the cap was in my livingroom and the container was spilled in the laundryroom/mudroom all over the floor hes had alot of water to where hes bloated. hes vommited once. idk if he ingested any. hes not showing any of the symptoms you mention above. what do i do???
Nov. 14, 2017
Megan
My dog plays with a groom that my husband used to clean the floor with some clorex (bleach), but is diluted withe water. Then my dog developed drooling and respiratory problem and now he doesn't want to eat since yesterday,so I brought a sering and started to give him water and liquid foods to clean his system. I fell he is better now , but am concerned about his breathing because fast and noisy little bit. What i have to do please help?
Aug. 7, 2018
Shadin M.
Bleach Poisoning Average Cost
From 478 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,500
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