Puppy with breathing trouble after swallowing laundry detergent pod

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful management of a pediatric canine with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to detergent aspiration. ANIMAL: An 11-week-old female Pembroke Welsh Corgi. CLINICAL PRESENTATION, PROGRESSION, AND PROCEDURES: The dog was referred for treatment of respiratory distress secondary to aspiration and ingestion of an unquantifiable amount of detergent from a laundry detergent pod. The dog presented dyspneic, cyanotic, and too weak to stand. Thoracic auscultation revealed increased bronchovesicular sounds bilaterally, without crackles or wheezes. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The dog required intubation and mechanical ventilation for 5 days. During hospitalization, the dog developed severe pulmonary edema, hypotension, seizures, and inappropriate mentation. Case management additionally included placement of a nasogastric tube and urinary catheter, nebulization, telemetry, and supportive medications. After 12 days of hospitalization, the dog was discharged. Follow-up examinations were performed weekly for 5 weeks following discharge. There was significant improvement noted on thoracic radiographs and complete resolution of respiratory signs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report to describe successful treatment with mechanical ventilation for clinical signs associated with detergent aspiration in a canine.