What is Nicotine Poisoning?
Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco (snuff) are all dangerous to your dog as well as to humans. In fact, even cigarette butts can be deadly to your dog if he eats enough of them. Since it is the filter that holds all of the nicotine, cigarette butts hold just as much nicotine as the whole cigarette, so it is important to pick up cigarette butts and dispose of them in the trash. With the discovery of nicotine gum, electronic cigarettes, and other aids to help people quit smoking, the amount of nicotine poisoning episodes has risen quite a bit. Reports of accidental nicotine poisonings have gone from 269 in 2011 to 1,212 in 2013 according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The good flavors and the high content of the drug in e-cigarette liquid are suspected to be the culprits of this resurgence in reported poisonings. It may not help that those who use the e-cigarettes and liquid refills consider them to be relatively safe, leaving them unattended within reach of their dog. Unfortunately, the nicotine is readily absorbed through the skin as well as the lungs and gastrointestinal system, making it a highly toxic danger to your dog. Although it may be slowed by the acids in your dog’s stomach, the absorption will eventually be absorbed by the intestines and liver, making the removal more difficult once it reaches the bloodstream. The kidneys are only able to excrete approximately 2% to 35% depending on the amount of urination. It only takes about four milligrams of nicotine per pound of body weight to be fatal. This means less than a teaspoon of liquid nicotine or one cigarette can be fatal in a small dog, so it is important to go to the veterinarian or animal hospital if you believe your dog has ingested any nicotine at all.
Although nicotine is a common form of toxin to animals, it is not reported often. However, the central nervous system damage that is caused by nicotine can be extremely serious, and possibly lethal if not treated soon enough. Since the body absorbs nicotine rapidly, within 15 minutes, your dog can have a cardiac episode or collapse. In fact, without treatment, your dog could have complete paralysis of the muscles, including the lungs, causing respiratory failure. Even with a small amount of nicotine, your dog can become ill and vomit, which helps in removing the toxin. However, even if your dog seems better after vomiting, you should visit your veterinarian to check for underlying damage to the heart or central nervous system. Never give your dog antacids to help with poisoning because the acid in the stomach helps slow the absorption of the toxin so it can be evacuated without causing as much damage. Your veterinarian will likely give your dog IV fluids and monitor his heart for a while to be sure he is out of danger.
Symptoms of Nicotine Poisoning in Dogs
You may not notice any signs that your dog ingested nicotine besides nervousness and stomach upset, which is sometimes mistaken for a virus or other illness. However, if your dog has ingested enough nicotine to cause symptoms, it is likely a life-threatening emergency, and it is important to get your dog to the veterinarian or emergency clinic right away. Signs of nicotine poisoning vary depending on the amount your dog has ingested, but the most common signs are:
- Abnormal heart rate
- Auditory and visual disturbances (hallucinations)
- Collapse
- Convulsions
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Extreme excitement
- Drooling (hypersalivation)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Hyperthermia
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Incoordination
- Paralysis
- Slow and shallow breathing
- Fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Tremors
- Twitching
- Vomiting
- Weak and irregular pulse
- Weakness
Causes of Nicotine Poisoning in Dogs
The cause of nicotine poisoning in your dog is the ingestion of any of these items that contain nicotine:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars
- E-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquids and cartridges
- Hand rolling tobacco
- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine lozenges
- Nicotine mouth sprays
- Nicotine patches
- Pipes and pipe tobacco
Your dog can also get nicotine poisoning from breathing or ingesting pesticides that contain nicotine.
Diagnosis of Nicotine Poisoning in Dogs
Diagnosis of nicotine poisoning can be difficult if you do not know that your dog has ingested nicotine because the symptoms can mimic so many other diseases and disorders. Some of these include intoxication from organophosphates, strychnine, mycotoxins, and depressants. If you did not see your dog ingest the nicotine, but you or a family member have nicotine products, be sure to let the veterinarian know so he can do a quick blood and urine chemical test to determine if that is the problem. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the better, because prompt treatment is essential to your dog’s recovery. The veterinarian will do a complete physical examination to check blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, oxygen level, reflexes, weight, and body temperature. An electrocardiogram (ECG) may be done to assess your dog’s electrical and muscular heart functioning.
Other laboratory tests that can help with diagnosis are complete blood count (CBC), blood gas, blood spectrophotometry (to check the chemical level with light absorption), urinalysis, stool sample, and electrolyte profile. Some images will be needed, such as x-rays, MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound. These can help the veterinarian determine how much of the nicotine has been absorbed, how much remains, and if there is any damage to the vital organs.
Treatment of Nicotine Poisoning in Dogs
Treatment depends on the amount of nicotine ingested, how long ago it was ingested, and how much still remains unabsorbed. If it has been less than four hours, there is a chance to stop any damage from being done to your dog’s central nervous system, heart, liver, kidneys, and brain. The veterinarian will induce vomiting or perform a gastric lavage to empty the stomach as much as possible before administering activated charcoal. The charcoal actually sticks to the nicotine and keeps it from causing any more damage on its way through your dog’s system. IV fluids and oxygen therapy will be started, medication for blood pressure and seizures can also be given. The veterinarian will keep your dog overnight for observation, continuing to monitor heart activity, blood pressure, and renal activity.
Recovery of Nicotine Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog gets treatment right away (in less than four hours), the chance for recovery is good. However, if your dog consumed a lethal dose of nicotine, there may be nothing the veterinarian can do except provide palliative care and make your dog as comfortable as possible in the time he has left. You can make sure this never happens again by keeping cigarettes and anything else containing nicotine out of your dog’s reach. This includes ashtrays and cigarette butts as well.
Nicotine Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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My 4 month old 17lb.puppy ate a small amount of tobacco out of a small white owl cigar. She was fine for about 45 minutes then she started acting very calm and sleepy.Should I be worried?
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My new dog just drank water that cigarette butts were sitting in, i stopped her almost immediately but she threw up once we were inside. Slightly concerned, but I just picked her up from the shelter today and she was also spayed this morning and has eaten quite a bit since she’s been home.
It was also mentioned that she vomited while intubated for her spay, not sure if that’s relevant.
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Hello I'm first time mom and I believe that Marley may have gotten a small amount of snuff, she's acting her normal self should I be worried? It wasn't much that she ate but the cardboard on the can was wipes clean I found most of it on her bed and in my shoe her breath don't even smell like it.
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My 4 month old puppy got into my boyfriends snuff she puked a lot and drank some water but now she is seizing can’t walk straight she acts like she is blind what can I do for her all the vets here are not in on sundays
Be careful with nicotine patches . I care for dogs and yesterday I noticed one of rhwm begin to freak out and was not herself. She was breathing hard, so excited, acring scared and shaking. It wasn't until later in the evening I even realized what was wrong with her. Thank God she snapped out of it.
Hi I think my dog my have ingested a cigarette how long would it take for me to see the symposium it has been about half an hour to an hour now
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So my 3 month old siberian husky puppy got to the garbage bag and took out a cigarette butt. I was in the other room, no kne saw her do it. When I came out I saw her chewing it and there was spme tobacco on the floor, I rushed at her took the cigarette butt out of her mouth. I don’t know if she ate any cigarette butts. She definitely ate some tobacco though. She didn’t vomit or anything. Her respiratory rate fluxuates between 24-28 breaths per minute, which I believe is normal. She seems a little calm than usual. I feel like it’s because all of our family members are kinda cold and it translates to her as well, because we are quite chill all day. I mean she eats and drinks and everything. My only concern is that I don’t know if she ate some or not. She seems kind of tired all. I also think that I scared her as well when I rushed at her to take the cigarette butt. I also called my vet after 5-10 mind after the incident and he said not to worry about it. I still do. It’s been 12 hours since.
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I think she’s fine. Later yesterday I thought she was moody, got scared she might have had problems with balance and weakness but then she started running around and playing. Didn’t notice any tremors. It was our bedtime. We played for 1-2 hours and then she fell asleep. This morning, she has no diarrhea or anything. Seems fine. Thank you.
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My puppy ate a piece of nicotine gum. I induced vomiting with a lottery peroxide within 15-20 minutes. Should I be worried? She seem fine now being a little more than an hour.
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I think my dog my have injested a cigarette but I can’t see any of the symptom she looks fine what should I do I think she injested it about 1 hour ago what should I do ?
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My dog ate some 3%vape juice is she going to be okay and how can we treat her
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My 8 month old puppy got anhokd of a pack of my cigarettes. I think he only ate maybe 2 of them. He isn't acting like his normal self. He is usually really hyper and now he is just laying in a corner. I don't have money for a vet right now but I'm extremely worried about him. What can I do?
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My dog ingested cigarettes. There were approximately 10 to 12 cigarettes in the package and when I found him with them only 4 remained untouched. There was some tobacco from the cigarettes on the floor so I am unsure how much he consumed but from the looks of things he at least ate 8 of them completely. This happened about 45 minutes ago and he has already thrown up. It's been about 10 minutes since he threw up but he seems to be acting fine now.
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It is good that Liam has vomited the cigarettes up, but I would still recommend visiting your Veterinarian for additional therapy (activated charcoal etc…). Nicotine stimulates with nervous system which makes it addictive for people. Liam should be fine, but again I would recommend visiting your Veterinarian to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
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My puppy may have eaten a cigarette, my brothers friend said he left a pack at our house but didn’t know where and it had one cigarette left in it, I found the empty pack outside with teeth marks on it. She is 30 lbs she hasn’t been acting differently at all and I’m not sure if or when she consumed it, it could have been a few days ago but is there anything I should do or watch out for? Do I need to take her to the vet?
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I had a 10ml tube filled with e juice and it seemed the dog chewed up the bottle and ate some, however some was on the floor as well. Shortly after she vomited and seems to be acting fine. Since it was only 10 ml of a 60ml bottle that is is 6mg nicotine will she be okay?
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I am traveling with 1 year old cavapoodle at the moment and he got into my dads cigarette box and ate a cigarette a day ago. I had no idea he ate it or how many he ate so I couldn't induce vomiting. He did begin to vomit 4 hours later but the cigarette did not come up. The next day I found the whole cigarette in his stool as he didn't chew it. Now his symptoms are vomiting and liquid diarrhea. The stool is liquid and bloody. He's not exhibiting behavioral changes, he was acting normal during the day and eating normally which is why I thought he is fine. I am super worried because I have to fly home and I don't know if he will be able to travel without having to go to the bathroom. What should I do? Should I go to a vet and reschedule my flight? Is there any over the counter medicine I could give him just to tie him over for the flight?
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My dog ate vape juice that is 3% nicotine how can I treat her and will she be okay
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My 6 month old dog might have ate a cigarette butt. We walked her early this morning like at five thirty.. It was dark but I could tell she was chewing on something like she usually does. She usually spits it out but now Im thinking she ate it. She got home moaned and collapsed. She couldn't move her legs and was acting like she was drunk and high. Her pupils were big and every voice scared her. She is at the vet but we don't know what she ate.
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i have a puppy who is 5 months and he ate tobacco i dont know how much and it was around 10pm and now he is vomiting and breathing hard dry nose not drinking water.
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what do i do my puppy ate 6 cigs and nothing is happing so far what do i do i'm worried!She ate the whole box i think it's been at least an hour and nothing is happining.
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My 10 week old pup ate about 3/4 of a cigarette not including the butt. I gave him a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting and he threw up a ton. Should I be concerned?
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my six month old puppy may have eaten some tobacoo couple day's ago she was down for 24 HOUR'S she is drinking a lot of fluids but not eating is still active and wants to play a little what should I do
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Nicotine poisoning can be severe in dogs depending on the quantity consumed. Nicotine works by stimulating the nervous system which is what makes it addictive for people who smoke. There are many symptoms of nicotine poisoning including vomiting, tremors, weakness, lethargy, increased heart rate and seizures; generally once nicotine is consumed, a visit to a Veterinarian within three or four hours is required to initiate vomiting and to start supportive therapy, after 24 hours any treatment would be symptomatic based on any symptoms Cricket presents. Usually nicotine poisoning is an inpatient case with fluids being administered; I would recommend visiting your Veterinarian to check Cricket over as nicotine may cause lasting damage to his organs. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Both of my puppies (Ballack (3-4months) and Molly 10 months), though to be honest ballack had gotten ahold of my husbands cigarettes but when I caught them neither of them seemed interested in the mess theyad and we're playing. The cigarettes were hidden and I am not sure how he or she found themy but the package was ripped apart.
Neither of them seem out of character; molly was the firsr and only one to puke but she had taken her monthly pill earlier today and that is her reaction to it.
I would bring them to vet but at the moment we have no money until this coming up week. What should I do?
Thank you
Dr. Turner, this article, and the information you are giving out, is very misleading. In the instances where pets have consumed cigarettes it is most likely the other toxic chemicals in them that is affecting the animals and NOT the nicotine. I am Blackfoot-Cree native and was taught by my grandfather, father, and other relatives about the many uses of tobacco and nicotine derived from tobacco, as well as other plants that contain nicotine. One of which is as a pesticide, including flea treatment for pets.
In proper doses nicotine is a very effective flea treatment and also works very effectively against many other insects such as mosquitoes, spiders, ticks, etc...
Manufacturers of flea treatments, including Bayer Pet, are actually using a synthetic nicotine called imidacloprid in their highly effective treatments.
Perhaps you could do some research on this subject in order to more adequately inform your readers on the real effects of nicotine and also the benefits.
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My dog was acting woozy and off balance. She was kind of twitching and moving strangely while laying down trying to get comfortable. She also seemed really tired. I did not know what it could be at first but now realize she may have been exposed to a low level nicotine e cigarette juice. I can’t imagine how much she could have possibly ingested either some errant drip she licked up or possibly licked a rag we used to wipe up a spill of e juice? But she is only ten pounds and that’s my best theory because at 9:30 am she was fine and I suddenly noticed her symptoms at 11:30 am. It is now 5 pm and she seems a lot better if perhaps a bit worn out... Given that so much time has passed and she seems much better, would the vet really be able to prevent any further damage to her organs or has it likely already ran its course? Thanks so much.
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My dog ate some cigarette what should I do he isn't acting different I dont know how many he ate can u help me is they something's at home I can give him to make ok help me I dont know what to do his vet is closed so I can't call them
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Many dogs which consume cigarettes or other nicotine products will vomit up the cigarettes helping the problem; administration of 3% hydrogen peroxide will induce vomiting if consumed with the last hour. It is very important to check Jodie for neurological symptoms as nicotine is rapidly absorbed into the body; if you notice any tremors, weakness or you feel a rapid or abnormal heart rate you should take her to an Emergency Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
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Hello, my dog has eaten from a pack of cigarettes. I'm not sure how many she's gotten into, but she showed no signs of symptoms for 24 hours and is still not showing any symptoms. she is eating and playing normally and also sleeping normally but I just saw a bit of drool as she was sleeping and her body twitched. she usually twitches in her sleep as she dreams but I'm still concerned
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Nicotine poisoning can be severe in dogs depending on the quantity consumed. Nicotine works by stimulating the nervous system which is what makes it addictive for people who smoke. Generally after consuming nicotine, dogs will normally vomit but not always; usually a visit to your Veterinarian to induce vomiting or to induce vomiting at home using hydrogen peroxide is done within four hours of ingestion, after this time treatment is supportive of any symptoms that may present. The symptoms of poisoning which may occur 24 hours after ingestion include tremors, weakness, lethargy, increased heart rate and seizures; it would be best to keep a close eye on Mya for a few days and rush her to your Veterinarian if you notice any of the above symptoms. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
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