Signs and treatment of vape liquid exposure in dogs

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical signs, treatments performed, poison severity and outcome in dogs exposed to electronic cigarettes or e-liquids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of dogs with exposure to electronic cigarettes or e-liquid and known outcome in the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) database were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 321 dogs, 170 (53%) remained asymptomatic. Oral/buccal exposure was the most common route of exposure (98.8%). One dog had the liquid applied in the ear, two had ocular exposure and two had both ocular and oral exposure. The most common signs were emesis (23.1% overall), hypersalivation (13.1%) and tachycardia (9.0%). The strength of the liquid was unknown in 22.7% of cases; where known, the most common strength was 18 mg/mL (19.3%). The median dose of nicotine reported in cases of oral exposure was 2.6 mg/kg (n = 93), but was not related to severity of clinical signs; 94.4% remained well or developed only mild signs. Of the 321 dogs, 27.7% received no treatment or observation only; 45.2% received gut decontamination, most commonly activated charcoal only (23.7%) or oral lavage only (13.1%). The median recovery time was 3 hours. Of 151 dogs that developed signs, 149 recovered. One dog was euthanased due to financial constraints and, in the only fatal case, a dog collapsed and died at 3.5 hours. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Most dogs had none or only mild signs after exposure to electronic cigarette liquid. Severe poisoning is uncommon, and the severity of poisoning is unrelated to the reported dose.