Bleach Poisoning in Dogs
Bleach and many other household cleaning products contain chemicals which can irritate or burn a dog's mouth, eyes, skin, oesophagus, stomach and respiratory system.
The severity of an exposure depends on the product, its concentration, the amount involved and whether it was swallowed, inhaled or came into contact with the skin or eyes.
Ordinary diluted household bleach may cause irritation, while concentrated bleach and strong alkaline cleaning products can cause severe chemical burns. Some injuries may take several hours to become apparent.
Do not induce vomiting
Do not make your dog vomit and do not give salt, hydrogen peroxide, food, milk, medication or any home remedy unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so.
Vomiting can expose the mouth and oesophagus to the chemical a second time and may allow it to enter the lungs.
Products which may cause chemical poisoning
Hazardous household and garage products can include:
- Bleach and chlorine products
- Toilet cleaners
- Drain cleaners and caustic soda
- Oven cleaners
- Dishwasher detergents
- Laundry detergents and capsules
- Floor and furniture polish
- Paint thinner and paint remover
- Petrol and other fuels
- Kerosene
- Shoe polish
- Ammonia-based cleaning products
These products do not all contain bleach and can cause different types of poisoning. Always keep the original container or take a clear photograph of its label so the ingredients and concentration can be identified.
Possible symptoms
Signs vary according to the type of exposure. They may include:
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Repeated swallowing or pawing at the mouth
- Redness, pain or ulceration in the mouth
- Vomiting or retching
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Coughing, wheezing or gasping
- Difficulty breathing
- Eye pain, redness or excessive watering
- Skin irritation or chemical burns
- Bleaching or discolouration of the hair
- A chlorine smell on the breath, coat or paws
- Lethargy, weakness or collapse
- Agitation, tremors or seizures
What to do immediately
- Move your dog away from the product and into fresh air if fumes are present. Do not put yourself at risk.
- Check that your dog is breathing and able to stand. Collapse, seizures or breathing difficulty require immediate emergency veterinary treatment.
- Prevent your dog from licking contaminated fur or paws.
- Contact your veterinary surgeon or an animal poison service immediately and follow their instructions.
- Have the product container, label or a clear photograph available. Tell them approximately how much exposure may have occurred and when.
Skin or coat exposure
If bleach or another chemical is on the coat or skin, seek professional advice immediately. Unless advised otherwise, the exposed area can usually be rinsed carefully with plenty of lukewarm running water.
Wear gloves and avoid spreading the chemical to your own skin or eyes. Do not use another cleaning product to neutralise it because mixing chemicals can produce heat or dangerous fumes.
Eye exposure
Chemical exposure to the eyes is an emergency. Begin gently flushing the affected eye with clean lukewarm water or sterile saline while arranging immediate veterinary treatment.
Do not apply eye drops, creams or neutralising substances unless instructed by a veterinary surgeon.
Inhaled fumes
Move the dog into fresh air without entering an unsafe environment. Coughing, wheezing, gasping or difficulty breathing require urgent veterinary treatment.
Never mix bleach with ammonia, acids, toilet cleaners or other cleaning products. Mixing chemicals can release dangerous gases which are harmful to both people and animals.
Veterinary assessment and treatment
The vet will need to know the exact product involved, its concentration, the route of exposure and the approximate amount. The mouth, eyes, skin, breathing and digestive system may all need to be examined.
Treatment depends on the product and severity of exposure. It may include careful rinsing, pain relief, medication to protect damaged tissues, intravenous fluids, oxygen and other supportive care.
Chemical burns to the mouth, oesophagus or stomach may not be immediately visible. Dogs exposed to concentrated or strongly alkaline products may therefore require monitoring even if they initially appear well.