My Dog Ate Abreva What Should I Do?

Do you often get cold sores or fever blisters? If so, you’re definitely not alone. These are common problems that many people have to deal with. How do you treat these issues? Do you use Abreva?

Has your dog swallowed some Abreva? Is it harmful to dogs if ingested?

What is Abreva?

Abreva, also known as docosanol, is a medication that’s used to treat fever blisters and cold sores that are caused by herpes labialis. This medicine can make sores heal faster, while relieving the symptoms of pain, tingling, itching, and burning.

The medicine works by keeping the virus from entering healthy skin cells and growing. It will not cure the virus or make keep it from spreading to others. However, it does help the cold sores and fever blisters to heal faster.

Abreva usually comes in a very small tube or applicator—about 2 grams (0.07 oz) of medication are inside the tube.

Is Abreva Toxic to Dogs?

Abreva is non-toxic to dogs. However, if your dog gets a hold of a tube of Abreva and chews it up, he may develop diarrhea and vomiting.

The main issue may be if he chewed up or swallowed the plastic tubing. The reason is that sharp bits of plastic could be cause punctures or tears in the lining of the stomach or intestines. Another danger is if the tube is more or less in one piece, it could be lodged in the digestive tract and create a blockage.

Symptoms to Watch for if Dog Ate an Abreva Tube

If your dog ate the Abreva tube, then you may notice these symptoms:

• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Excessive drooling/burping
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Lack of appetite

Is your dog showing these symptoms? Then you’ll need to call the vet right away. This could be a medical emergency.

Treatment of Intestinal Blockage in Dogs

At the vet, they will do a physical exam of your dog and may order imaging tests, too. These could include x-rays or an ultrasound. The purpose of the imaging tests is to see where the tube is inside your dog. That’s because, in some cases, a dog may require surgery to safely remove the Abreva tube.

With prompt medical care, your dog has an excellent chance of a fully recovery! Remember, it’s always important to keep all medications out of your dog’s reach. Then you two won’t have to go through a medical emergency!