What is Fluoride Poisoning?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical found in untreated water sources and a synthetic version of it is used as an additive in water supplies in many towns and cities. Although it is an effective way to prevent cavities, in large doses it can become toxic. Severe poisoning can occur if your dog eats something with a very large amount of fluoride such as toothpaste. This generally begins with the inflammation of the stomach and intestines followed by an increased heart rate with abnormalities. The fluoride is absorbed into the system within 90 minutes and will generally result in collapse and death within a few hours if it is untreated. Chronic overexposure to fluoride can result in weakened bones or abnormal bone growths as well as chronic gastric disorders.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that canines can be particularly sensitive to. Fluoride toxicity due to overexposure is extremely serious and it can be acute or chronic.
Symptoms of Fluoride Poisoning in Dogs
Some of the symptoms of fluoride toxicity such as lameness or muscle wasting are only likely to be seen when the exposure to higher than normal levels of fluoride has been chronic.
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Gastroenteritis
- Labored breathing
- Lameness
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle wasting
- Muscle weakness
- Rapid heart rate
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Stiffness
- Sudden death
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
Types
Calcium fluoride
- This is the variety of fluoride that is found most often in nature
- A fluoride molecule bonds with a calcium molecule to create calcium fluoride
- Although calcium fluoride is more easily tolerated by the body than synthetic fluorides, it can be just as lethal at high doses
Sodium fluoride
- This is the first synthetic fluoride that was introduced to the water supply
- It is a white, odorless additive which has to be dissolved before adding it to the water supply
Sodium fluorosilicate
- A dry additive which has to be dissolved before adding it to the water supply. This is fluorosilicate acid bound with sodium giving it a powdered or crystallized structure making it much easier to ship
Fluorosilicic acid
- An inexpensive by-product of phosphate fertilizer manufacture in liquid form, also known as hydrofluorosilicate, HFS, or FSA. It is more commonly used, but can be quite expensive to ship
Causes of Fluoride Poisoning in Dogs
Significant sources of fluoride for your canine:
Dog food
- Some dog foods have a high amount of fluoride in their make up
- Foods with large amounts of bone meal are more likely to have high fluoride levels due to the tendency for fluoride to accumulate in the bones
Fluoridated dental products
- Fluoride is added into most toothpastes and gel treatments for humans
- Due to the canine sensitivity to fluoride, it is rarely added to toothpastes designed for dogs
- Human dental products may also contain xylitol, which is extremely toxic to canines
People food
- Some food that people eat have higher concentrations of fluoride than others
- Foods with notable amounts of fluoride can include cucumbers, pickles, spinach and canned tomato products
Water supply
- Supplemental fluoride is added to the water supply in most areas in the US, and some water supplies have naturally high fluoride levels
Diagnosis of Fluoride Poisoning in Dogs
If it is a reaction to a single large dose and you have any of the remaining product or package, you will want to bring that with you to the clinic as well. Your veterinarian will need to get a full history from you, taking special note of the diet and any opportunistic eating as well as a progression of symptoms. That information, combined with a physical examination will help reach a conclusive diagnosis. The physical examination will check for inflammation, and will take particular note of any heart rhythm abnormalities. There are several disorders which may mimic chronic fluoride overexposure. A complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis are likely to be done at this time as well to rule out other disorders with the same symptoms, as well as detect any toxins in the system. Fluoride usually does not remain in the body longer than 24 hours so this method of detection may provide a false negative.
Treatment of Fluoride Poisoning in Dogs
An acute case of fluoride poisoning can kill within just a few hours time so time is of the essence if the disorder is to be corrected. If you know what your pet ingested contact the veterinarian immediately. If ingested recently enough, your veterinarian may opt to have you induce your dog to vomit to avoid the absorption of any toxins before travelling to the office. Patients that develop acute fluoride poisoning can be given calcium gluconate intravenously and magnesium hydroxide or milk by mouth to minimize absorption, although this is not always successful and the patient may ultimately succumb to the imbalance. Chronic fluoride poisoning also has a poor prognosis, and once the outward signs have developed reversal is unlikely. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend a low fluoride dog food and specific supplements may be added to your pet’s diet to reduce the absorption of the fluoride. These measures will not reverse or stop the progression of the disorder but it may slow the development of additional symptoms for a time.
Recovery of Fluoride Poisoning in Dogs
Keeping the recovering patient in a quiet and calm environment and making sure that he or she completes the full measure of any prescribed medications will help encourage recovery. Medications to guard against secondary infection or to protect the gastrointestinal system may be recommended. In order to reduce the symptoms and slow the progression of the disorder, the patient may need to be placed on a diet restricted to low-fat, high-fiber foods until any inflammation has gone down. In the case of chronic fluoride poisoning it is essential to track down and eliminate the source of the overabundance of fluoride in the diet or environment of the animal.
Fluoride Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
My dog got ahold of an empty Colgate MaxFresh toothpaste container and chewed on it. It was 96% empty, and there no xylitol in it, plus I don't think he ate that much. Should I call the vet or wait and see what happens? This happened about an hour or two ago and he's not exhibiting any symptoms as of yet.
2507 Recommendations
Was this experience helpful?
Has Symptoms
my dog eat poop and so I brushed her teeth without knowing toothpaste can be lethal. It was Colgate and it was less than pea size. I wipe her mouth with water. I want to know if she will be okay. it has been just a few minutes.
1093 Recommendations
Add a comment to jill's experience
Was this experience helpful?
Has Symptoms
Medication Used
I accidently have been giving my dog baby purified water thinking it was just water but just realized it had added fluoride in it. It's been a week that I have been cooking his food with it and putting it in his water bowls thinking I got him the best purified water out there. Will he be okay?
2507 Recommendations
The label says contains purified water with selected minerals: calcium chloride, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium chloride. This is added for taste, and sodium fluoride. Contains up to 0.7 mg / L out of fluoride. Mineral amounts are not initially significant. Is that less than the amount you specified 2.2? Will this affect him long-term or if I see Improvement in the next couple days that means he's okay?
Add a comment to Romeo's experience
Was this experience helpful?
Has Symptoms
My dog ingested a mice, after that he ingested a toothpaste, it was like 2 days ago, im so worried now his still not doing fine. He even vomited blood.please give me some home remedies to treat him
2507 Recommendations
Ingestion of rodents may pass with some gastrointestinal upset or may cause severe disease if the rodent was infected with something infectious (bacterial, parasitic etc…). As for the toothpaste, a common cause of poisoning in dogs is xylitol poisoning (artificial sweetener) which causes hypoglycemia and can be deadly. I suspect that the vomiting and diarrhoea would be caused by the ingestion of a mouse, there is no real ‘at home’ treatment; however, keeping C’L hydrated is important. Since C’L vomited blood and with what has been ingested, I would highly recommend visiting your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Add a comment to C'L's experience
Was this experience helpful?
Has Symptoms
My dog might have licked some crest mouthwash. The bottle is 36mL and contains 0.02% fluoride. I read that fluoride is poisonous to dogs, so how much would be fatal to him. So far as I can tell he's acting just fine. The only evidence that he might've drank some was that his breath smelled like it, but about 1/3 was still in the bottle and I'd say another 1/3 more or less was on his potty mat.
2507 Recommendations
Some mouthwashes may be harmful to dogs depending on their specific ingredients; I had a quick check of the Crest website and there are multiple different types of mouthwash (some contain some artificial sweeteners which may be toxic for dogs). If you can, to be on the safe side, induce vomiting with 3% hydrogen peroxide and afterwards washout Frank’s mouth; the mouthwash may irritate his stomach causing him to vomit. If you have any further concerns visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/fluoride-poisoning/overview-of-fluoride-poisoning
Add a comment to Frank's experience
Was this experience helpful?
Has Symptoms
My six-year-old daughter was playing with our toothpaste in the house and my dog actually got a hold of it but there is not much toothpaste left in the tube it with less than a teaspoon I'd say but I'm worried that my dog is going to be sick because she consumed what was left in the toothpaste and no she is tired and very sluggish what do I do and how soon do I have to bring my dog to the vet is it urgent or will it go away.
2507 Recommendations
There are three possible problems with consuming a tube of toothpaste, the first two are the ingredients of fluoride and xylitol (alcohol based sweetener in some toothpastes); both fluoride and xylitol cause symptoms of vomiting and restlessness, also xylitol (if present) may cause hypoglycemia which can be lethal. The third problem it the tube itself, the passage of pieces of the tube may cause irritation whilst passing through the intestinal tract. Given the severity of the symptoms I would recommend seeing your Veterinarian to be on the safe side as I am unable to examine her. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.vetary.com/dog/condition/toothpaste-poisoning
Add a comment to Poppa 's experience
Was this experience helpful?
Add a comment to Rico's experience