Fluoride Poisoning in Dogs

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.

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

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