My Dog Ate a Lighter What Should I Do?
My Dog Ate a Lighter What Should I Do?
Has your dog ingested a lighter or chewed on the lighter and swallowed lighter fluid? Then you’ve come to the right place.
If this is the case, the please call the vet right now. This is a medical emergency.
If you’re only reading this article out of curiosity or believe your fur baby may one day try to eat a lighter, then read on.
Petroleum Products are Toxic to Dogs
Petroleum products are extremely toxic to dogs, to say nothing of the plastic lighter case. The substances that are dangerous are called hydrocarbons. These are toxic to both dogs and their pet parents.
Lighters and lighter fluid are commonly found in many households. Sometimes lighters may be left in a place your fur baby can reach. In fact, your pup doesn’t even have to eat these substances. Instead, he can even suffer toxic symptoms with skin contact or your dog licking his fur after the fluid spills on him.
Lighter & Lighter Fluid Symptoms in Dogs
Your fur baby may show the following signs and symptoms if he’s eaten a lighter and/or lighter fluid:
- Hypersalivation
- Clamping of his jaws
- Coughing/choking
- Skin irritation
- Oral irritation
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- General weakness
- Dry feces
- Oil in the feces
- Vision issues
- Head tremors
- Shivering and/or excitability/nervousness
- Lack of coordination (he may look like he’s drunk when walking)
- Dehydration
- Breathing issues
- Coma
Chances are you may not know exactly how much lighter fluid your dog has ingested. However, you may be able to tell how much of the lighter he may be swallowed by checking to see how much lighter is left.
If you believe your pup has swallowed the light and/or lighter fluid, the call your vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.
Your vet will run tests to check your dog for organ issues including his intestines, lungs, liver and kidneys. He may need to draw fluid samples from these areas, in addition to running blood tests. He may also want to do an x-ray to see where the lighter pieces are.
Treatment of Lighter & Lighter Fluid Ingestion in Dogs
Your vet probably will not choose to induce vomiting, as lighter fluid can be easily aspirated. However, the vet may choose to give your fur baby activated charcoal and then treat your dog’s symptoms as they develop. They may give supplemental oxygen, IV fluids and medications such as antibiotics.
If your fur baby has eaten a large portion of the lighter, and/or if the pieces are sharp, the vet may need to perform surgery to extract these pieces. They could puncture your pup’s digestive track or cause a intestinal blockage.
We hope your fur baby has not eaten a lighter or swallowed lighter fluid. But if he has, please call the vet immediately. We wish you both very well!
4 Comments Hide Comments
This is usually a horrible experience that I don’t wish anyone. When mine happened, he was coughing very seriously and almost choking. Skin irritation was there too but mildly. The thing is, if you aren’t fast to the vet, your dog may get down with more complications.
Yes true. The case is not one to be taken lightly. If this ever happens to your dog, which I do not pray, then you need to call the vet immediately you realize what happened. It is totally a full medical emergency
Thankfully my dog hasn’t eaten a lighter. I am taking this article to the other members of my house who always leave such things lying carelessly where the dog can reach them. I’d love them to see the gravity of what such negligence could cause.
Lighter and its content are toxic to both dogs and their pet parents no doubt. I remember my child sniffing it and almost choking when the fume hit his nostrils. You can imagine what it would do to a dog or puppy. Since lighters are commonly found in many households, it’s better to be very careful with it and keep it as far away from reach as possible.