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A New Danger To DogsNicotine Chewing Gum |
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Now that the
smoking ban is in place and more and more people are giving up the evil weed
there is a new danger to dogs: nicotine chewing gum. Many people
are taking advantage of cheap deals and ordering nicotine gum and nicotine
patches off the internet and having them delivered postally. Needless
to say that owners are finding that it is their pets that are getting to
the packages first. Nicotine itself is toxic to dogs, but sugar-free nicotine
gum also contains xylitol, so is a double danger to your dog. If ingested
by a dog xylitol can cause them to secrete insulin so their blood sugar drops
very quickly, which can then lead to liver failure.
What To Watch For
Some good news is that nicotine is not absorbed directly in the acid environment of the stomach; the nicotine must move past the stomach into the small intestine for absorption. One of the first things nicotine does in the body is stimulate the vomit center of the brain, thus inducing vomiting which may save the patient’s life if there is more cigarette material in the stomach.
The clinical signs of toxicity are dependent upon the amount and type of nicotine ingested relative to your dogs body weight. The signs of toxicity are dose-dependent and generally begin within one hour of ingestion. Many dogs will vomit naturally after ingestion.
When large amounts are consumed, the effects can be life-threatening, but even small amounts can induce symptoms. Without treatment, nicotine toxicity can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles and your dog may die from an inability to breathe, sometimes within a few hours. If your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Treatment
The first thing that treatment consist of is to immediately reduce the amount of nicotine in the stomach while keeping your dog alive until the nicotine is broken down by the body. Despite treatment, some dogs that have ingested large amounts of nicotine may not survive.
Your veterinarian might do any of the following:
1. Induction of vomiting if you witnessed the nicotine ingestion and the pet is alert. Ask your veterinarian for advice. It is recommended to NOT use antacids as the acid in the stomach helps decrease the absorption of nicotine.
2. If exposure was dermal, bathing the patient immediately using a mild dish-washing soap is recommended.
3. Pumping the stomach (gastric lavage) may be recommend if large amounts were ingested.
4. Repeated doses of activated charcoal is used to reduce further nicotine absorption.
5. A ventilator to assist with breathing until the toxin can be cleared from their system for severely affected dogs.
6. Intravenous fluids help to enhance elimination of the nicotine.
7. Other supportive care as needed such as oxygen, seizure control medications such as diazepam (valium).
Prognosis
The prognosis is good when small amounts are ingested and treatment is prompt and aggressive. The prognosis is poor with large ingestions. If an animal survives the first four to five hours, the prognosis is considered good. Most of the nicotine is eliminated form the body within 16 to 20 hours.
Home Care
If nicotine ingestion is witnessed, induction of vomiting may prevent the toxic signs of nicotine poisoning. Consult your veterinarian or local emergency facility for instructions regarding inducing vomiting at home.
Once the signs of nicotine toxicity have developed, home treatment is not effective. If you suspect that your pet has eaten any form of chewing gum or nicotine product please seek veterinary attention immediately.
| The toxic level
of nicotine in dogs is 5 milligrams of nicotine per pound of body weight.
In dogs, 10 mg/kg is potentially lethal. Nicotine gum contains approximately 2 to 4 milligrams of nicotine per piece. |
Some good news is that nicotine is not absorbed directly in the acid environment of the stomach; the nicotine must move past the stomach into the small intestine for absorption. One of the first things nicotine does in the body is stimulate the vomit center of the brain, thus inducing vomiting which may save the patient’s life if there is more cigarette material in the stomach.
The clinical signs of toxicity are dependent upon the amount and type of nicotine ingested relative to your dogs body weight. The signs of toxicity are dose-dependent and generally begin within one hour of ingestion. Many dogs will vomit naturally after ingestion.
When large amounts are consumed, the effects can be life-threatening, but even small amounts can induce symptoms. Without treatment, nicotine toxicity can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles and your dog may die from an inability to breathe, sometimes within a few hours. If your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Clinical Signs of Toxicity |
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| Tremors Weakness Stumbling and/or incoordination Depression Hyperactivity Lethargy (in high doses) Fast breathing or difficulty breathing Drooling |
Dilated pupils Vomiting Diarrhea Possible seizures Collapse Either bradycardia (slow heart rate), tachycardia (high heart rate) and/or cardiac arrhythmias |
The first thing that treatment consist of is to immediately reduce the amount of nicotine in the stomach while keeping your dog alive until the nicotine is broken down by the body. Despite treatment, some dogs that have ingested large amounts of nicotine may not survive.
Your veterinarian might do any of the following:
1. Induction of vomiting if you witnessed the nicotine ingestion and the pet is alert. Ask your veterinarian for advice. It is recommended to NOT use antacids as the acid in the stomach helps decrease the absorption of nicotine.
2. If exposure was dermal, bathing the patient immediately using a mild dish-washing soap is recommended.
3. Pumping the stomach (gastric lavage) may be recommend if large amounts were ingested.
4. Repeated doses of activated charcoal is used to reduce further nicotine absorption.
5. A ventilator to assist with breathing until the toxin can be cleared from their system for severely affected dogs.
6. Intravenous fluids help to enhance elimination of the nicotine.
7. Other supportive care as needed such as oxygen, seizure control medications such as diazepam (valium).
Prognosis
The prognosis is good when small amounts are ingested and treatment is prompt and aggressive. The prognosis is poor with large ingestions. If an animal survives the first four to five hours, the prognosis is considered good. Most of the nicotine is eliminated form the body within 16 to 20 hours.
Home Care
If nicotine ingestion is witnessed, induction of vomiting may prevent the toxic signs of nicotine poisoning. Consult your veterinarian or local emergency facility for instructions regarding inducing vomiting at home.
Once the signs of nicotine toxicity have developed, home treatment is not effective. If you suspect that your pet has eaten any form of chewing gum or nicotine product please seek veterinary attention immediately.