What to do if Your Pet Eats a Vape Pen
Friends and Neighbors,
Even if you don’t own e-cigs or vape pens, your pet will likely encounter them on the streets of Chicago (we’re looking at you, litter bugs!) Even your indoor only cat can potentially come into contact with one when you have guests over. As pet parents, we do our best to keep an eye on our pets to make sure they’re not getting a hold of something that can hurt them. However, sometimes life happens. We’re going to cover what to do if your pet ingests a vape pen, e-cig or nicotine.
The risk
The big risk here is nicotine poisoning. This typically happens when our pets ingest high levels of nicotine. The amount of nicotine in each cartridge (or even chew pouch) varies depending on the particular device. As there is no real way to tell exactly how much nicotine is in the device in the first place, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Nicotine poisoning can be fatal to our pets. For vapes and e-cigs, another risk is foreign body ingestion. The plastic, glass and battery of the device can block your pet’s airways and cause gastrointestinal injury.
The signs
Signs of nicotine poisoning present very quickly - usually within the first hour of ingestion; sometimes as early as 15 minutes after with e-cigs. Symptoms include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Drooling
Rapid breathing
Elevated heart rate
Tremors
Seizures
Wobbling
Blue gums
Increased body temperature
The severity
Not every instance of nicotine ingestion results in an emergency. However, due to the varying levels of nicotine present in the variety of devices, nicotine poisoning is always a possibility. If you suspect that your pet has ingested nicotine of any variety contact us. We can guide you with next steps including observing your pet for symptoms to arise.
We do not recommend attempting at-home treatment including inducing vomiting. Your pet’s treatment will need to be determined by your vet. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center for fastest after hours support. They operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We hope you find these tips useful and that they help keep your pets happy and healthy. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a visit. We’re always here for you and your pets!
Sincerely,
The BLVD Team