What Do I Do if My Dog Rolls in Gasoline?

One of the joys of being a dog is rolling around on the ground with abandon. A freshly cut lawn, a pile of wet leaves, the stinky spot on the beach where a dead fish washed up: all are harmless temptations for Pal. If he wallows in gasoline, it's a different story.

  1. Gasoline Poisoning

    • Petroleum poisoning, including gasoline, can be fatal for dogs. If Pal returns home reeking of gasoline, he's at risk of becoming seriously ill, even if his contact was limited to rolling around in the gas. Petroleum-based products, such as gasoline, can be easily absorbed into his skin, as well as inhaled, causing inflammation of his throat. The thinner the product, the more easily it's absorbed. Symptoms of gasoline poisoning include drooling, vomiting, skin irritation, increased breathing, eye irritation, unsteady walking and coma.

    Clean Him Up

    • The first order of business is to get Pal cleaned up to minimize the amount of gas his skin absorbs and ensure he doesn't ingest any through licking. He'll need a thorough bath to get the gasoline out of his fur. Start by rubbing vegetable or mineral oil into the affected area, followed by a good shampoo using mild soap and water.

    Contact the Vet

    • After Pal's been bathed, call your vet to discuss whether he'll need additional treatment. If you were lucky enough to catch your pup in the act and get him cleaned up right away, he may not need a trip to the vet. However, if you discovered the gasoline on him, you won't have any way to know how long it's been in his fur or if he's ingested any by licking his fur. If you see him lick his gasoline-coated fur, do not induce vomiting. Vomiting can cause the gasoline to aspirate into his lungs, complicating his condition.

    Veterinary Treatment

    • The vet will give Pal a thorough exam. Though it sounds kind of disgusting, if your pup vomited, take a sample of the vomit with you, which can hasten treatment. The vet will likely perform a blood profile and test Pal's vomit for petroleum distillates; an X-ray can help detect inflammation and resulting pneumonia for immediate treatment. Activated charcoal will help decontaminate and neutralize the gasoline and a stomach wash may be necessary if your dog ingested any of the toxin.