Detergent Poisoning in Dogs

There are many household items that are toxic to animals, including to our dogs. Many of the laundry detergents used within the home are toxic to dogs; however, they do not always show up on lists of cleaners that are poisonous. Ionic surfactants and anionic surfactants are in these products, and even when they are ingested in small quantities the dog can become sick. The dog will have several different symptoms depending on the detergent ingested, as well as the amount ingested. The first signs are usually upset stomach and drooling from the mouth. An item that doesn't often show up on lists of household products toxic to pets is laundry detergent. But it should, because most detergents and soaps contain ionic and anionic surfactants. When ingested in small amounts, these chemicals can cause GI upset in a pet, such as excessive drooling, vomiting or diarrhea.

Detergent poisoning in dogs is the result of a dog ingesting detergent, or other household cleaners, at a quantity where it becomes toxic. Detergent poisoning in dogs must be treated at the very first sign of ingestion of the product or when symptoms begin to occur.

Symptoms of detergent poisoning may slightly vary, but they are very obvious and a veterinarian must be seen as soon as possible. Symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal lesions
• Lack of appetite
• Swollen abdomen
• Burns or lesions in the mouth
• Excessive watering of the mouth
• Disorientation
• Muscle weakness
• Seizures
• Collapse
• Eye irritations
• Skin irritation
• Hair loss

Types

They are many detergents on the market today and they are divided into categories. Types of detergents include:

• Soaps, such as for laundry and bathing
• Anionic detergents, such as dish soap, dishwashing detergents, and shampoos
• Cationic detergents, including disinfectants, fabric softeners, and sanitizing agents
• Nonionic detergents, such as shampoos, dishwashing detergents, and laundry detergents

The cause of detergent poisoning in dogs is from the ingestion of anywhere from a small quantity to large amounts of household detergent. The ingestion of this product as well as the dermal or ocular exposure to it can cause extensive damage to the eyes, mucus membranes and skin. A pet can walk through a detergent spill and then lick the substance from the paws or fur, extending the damage from one type to all three (oral, ocular and dermal).

It is very important to not induce any vomiting if you suspect or are definite that your dog has ingested detergent. You may flush out the mouth or skin thirty minutes with running water, or if it has gotten into the eyes, flush the eyes with water for twenty minutes. It is a good idea to be doing this after you have called the veterinarian to communicate with the physician that you are bringing your dog in for an appointment. Once the veterinarian learns more about with the dog may have ingested, or definitely swallowed, he will begin acting immediately. The physician may choose to do blood work or urinalysis if he is unsure of what is causing the symptoms, and he may do other tests to come up with a definitive diagnosis. More than likely, he will know the diagnosis is detergent poisoning by his symptoms and by hearing from you the type of detergent which the dog ingested.

Specific treatment is unavailable and it will depend on the type of detergent and the amount that the dog swallowed. There is no antidote; supportive care may be needed in the form of intravenous fluids and medications such as gastroprotectants and antibiotics, needed because of the corrosive nature of the product. A small amount of laundry detergent that was ingested will have a completely different mode of treatment than a large amount ingested. Treatment also depends on the type of toxic agent that the dog swallowed, such as cationic, nonionic, or anionic. The veterinarian will determine the method of treatment as he finds more information and the specifics of the poisoning. How long your pet will remain in the hospital will depend on the severity of the effects of the toxin and whether measures like respiratory assistance or tube insertion (for the stomach in the event of burns and ulceration) are necessary.

Detergent poisoning has a prognosis of fair to good, and this prognosis depends on the detergent involved and amount ingested. Most dogs that receive treatment as soon as possible will recover. To prevent future poisoning events, it is important to keep all detergents and cleaning products out of the dog’s reach when he is at home alone. It is also important to always know where your dog is within the home and to keep an eye on him.