This week is national pet toxin education week. Also this week, we had an intoxication with a very commonly used medication.
With our polluted world, more and more people are diagnosed with asthma, both adults and children. One of the most common medications for asthma is albuterol, an emergency rescue drug that helps to open up constricted airways and reduce spasming of the bronchi. This drug, when used safely, saves lives. We even use this medication in our dog and cat patients.
When things go awry is when the albuterol canister is thrown in the trash. Even though the directions state that there are 120 metered doses, there is still plenty of albuterol still inside the canister after labelled usage. Typically what occurs is the dog finds the canister (with or without the plastic dispenser and bites into the metal. Because the albuterol is under pressure, as soon as a puncture occurs a massive amount of albuterol is released, most of which is inhaled or ingested by the dog. This is more than just a dose, but many doses…all at once.
If enough albuterol is ingested, symptoms come on very quickly. Owners typically notice a rapidly beating heart, sometimes visibly seen from across the room. Pulses tend to be strong and easily felt. Dogs are sometimes hyperactive and agitated.
After this phase, sometimes the dog will get weak as sugar and potassium stores are depleted. Dogs will get lethargic or collapse.
Some exposed dogs have no symptoms; others can get severely ill, and without medical attention, could die. If your pet is exposed, immediate evaluation by a veterinarian is advised. Besides an exam, we typically look at an ECG, check blood pressure, and electrolytes. If a problem is noted, the dog might be started on a beta-blocker drip, fluids, and potassium or sugar supplementation intravenously.
The symptoms tend to reduce within 12 hours. With medical attention, dogs have no lasting side effects and recover completely. So far in the past 12 months, I have seen three cases of albuterol intoxication. Fortunately all three dogs did very well. Two dogs got into the trash and one was “counter surfing” and got the inhaler off of the bathroom counter.
Please be careful to keep inhalers in a drawer and do not throw away in a waste basket. Instead take directly outdoors for disposal or to a medical waste center (some pharmacies provide this service).