Canine Albuterol Toxicity

If your dog has gotten into your albuterol medication and managed to puncture the canister, you may have a serious health emergency on your hands. Left untreated, canine albuterol toxicity can cause catastrophic health symptoms and even death. If you suspect that your dog may have ingested your medication, take him to the veterinarian immediately.

  1. Symptoms

    • A dog that exhibits symptoms of albuterol toxicity may have difficulty walking or standing. His gait may be uneven, and he may list from side to side. His muscle weakness and lack of coordination is caused by low potassium levels in his bloodstream, which has been flooded with the medication. He may also vomit; exhibit extreme agitation or hyperactivity; and have dilated pupils, rapid panting and an elevated blood pressure.

    Treatment

    • Your dog may have to spend the night at the vet's office.

      Your vet will probably want to admit your dog and put her on an intravenous potassium and beta-blocker drip. This should help to slow her heart rate and stabilize any irregular heart rhythms she is experiencing.

    Prognosis

    • With prompt and proper medical care, a dog suffering from albuterol toxicity has an excellent chance of survival without lasting harmful effects from the incident. Without treatment, however, a dog that has ingested albuterol may die of heart arrhythmia and the effects of low potassium levels in the bloodstream.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Albuterol can kill your pet.

      Keep all medications away from your dog. Do not keep inhalers or pills on your bedside table or in your jacket pockets or unzipped purse. Make sure your medications are kept on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet. If you carry your inhaler in a purse, keep it in a zippered compartment or keep the purse away from your dog.

    Precautions

    • Do not administer an emetic (an agent that induces vomiting) to a dog that is exhibiting symptoms of albuterol toxicity. Because the ingested albuterol is absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream, attempting to induce vomiting or using activated charcoal to counter the medication is not advisable. The dog may aspirate his vomit and contract pneumonia in the process of emesis, and it is unlikely that any of the drug will be evacuated in the process.