My Dog Ate Otc Systane Eye Drops

When your dog rips through your eye drops it will have you on edge and wondering what to do next. In this article we’ll go over when to wait and observe and when to treat the situation as an emergency.

 

 

Why Are Eye Drops Toxic To Dogs When Eaten? Tetrahydrozoline

Eye drops contain tetrahydrozoline which belongs to a group of chemicals called imidazoline decongestants. These chemicals similarly affect the nervous system, cardiovascular system and digestive system in dogs.

 

When these systems are disrupted your dog can experience:

 

• Slowing heart rate
• Nausea and vomiting
• Coma
• Shaking and tremors
• Weakness or lethargy
• Loss of consciousness
• Drowsiness
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Loss of coordination
• Low blood pressure

 

How Toxic Is Tetrahydrozoline To Dogs?

Because of the severity of these symptoms tetrahydrozoline is considered extremely toxic to dogs. If your dog eats eye drops containing tetrahydrozoline, treat it as a medical emergency. Call your veterinarian or animal poison control hotline immediately or take your dog to the vet. They can best advise you on what the next steps will be.

 

Even a small quantity of eye drop liquid eaten by your dog is immensely dangerous.

What Happens If Tetrahydrozoline Gets Into A Dog’s Blood Stream?

If tetrahydrozoline enters a dog’s blood stream it will begin to constrict the blood vessels. The dog’s heart rate will begin to decrease and its blood pressure will drop. It will have slow breathing and eventually the toxin will reach the nervous system and the dog could enter a coma and possibly pass away.

My Dog Ate Otc Systane Eye Drops, Should I Be Worried?

 

Systane eye drops contain the active ingredient propylene glycol. Depending on the quantity your dog will be fine or may have some side effects. If you believe your dog has eaten a large quantity there may be cause for concern.

How Poisonous Are Systane Eye Drops For Dogs?

In small amounts Systane drops probably won’t harm your dog. In large quantities there may be more moderate side effects. Propylene glycol is toxic in large quantities to your furry friend. And with any new foreirgn substance, however, your pooch may experience nausea, vomiting or upset stomach.

Does Systane Contain Tetrahydrozoline?

We know that tetrahydrozoline can be fatal to dogs if they are left untreated after ingesting it. However, if your furry friend got into your Systane drops, the degree of severity of side effects will be less as there is no tetrahydrozoline in Systane eye drops.

Can I Use Systane Eye Drops For My Dog?

Yes, you can use Systane eye drops for your dog’s eyes for redness, irritation, dryness or to flush out particles. But as always, when trying something new with your pupper, observe to make sure your dog doesn’t have a reaction. If it is given a large quantity of Systane drops to the eyes it may irritate it’s eyes further.

 

Always use the product as directed.

 

If you have questions about using Systane on your dog, consult your veterinarian.

 

What Is The Generic Name For Systane?

The generic name for Systane is polyethylene glycol 400/propylene glycol.

How Much Visine Is Toxic To Dogs?

Just a few drops may be harmful for your dog. Even more so if the dog is a smaller breed. If any amount of Visine is ingested, it is best to contact your veterinarian immediately, they will ask you additional questions to understand the situation and can advise you on what the next steps will be.

Does Visine Contain Tetrahydrozoline?

Visine does contain Tetrahydrozoline HCl 0.05%. Keep these eye drops out of reach of your dog and locked away.

Can All Eye Drops Kill A Dog?

Not all eye drops can kill dogs. Some eye drops contain active ingredients that will make them sick, but are not fatal. Conversely, some eye drops contain active ingredients that can be life threatening to dogs if left unaddressed. It is best to keep all eye drops away from dogs regardless of toxicity as some could present choking hazards.

Dog Ate Pataday Eye Drops?

If your pupper rips into your prescription, Pataday drops. There is concern for an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea. Fortunately the active ingredient in Pataday drops is olopatadine, which does not have high toxicity in animals.

 

Nonetheless, do be in contact with your vet if you are concerned about any of the symptoms your dog might be having afterward such as vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy. However, olopatadine will not kill your dog.

Does Pataday Contain Tetrahydrozoline?

Good news! Pataday does not contain tetrahydrozoline. Regardless, keep all medications out of reach of your dog. If the eye drop solution is not a concern itself, the dropper or lids of medication are a hazard to dogs if swallowed.

Is Isathal Poisonous To Dogs?

Isathal is an eye gel that is used to treat blepharitis and conjunctivitis in cats, rabbits and dogs. It is intended for external use only and effective for treating these conditions. However, if your dog eats the isathal gel there may be some concerns.

 

Fusidic acid is the active ingredient in Isathal gel. While it is not toxic to dogs, just as it is with any chemical substance, it could make your dog vomit, have nausea, get an upset stomach or get diarrhea.

 

If you are concerned about your dog having these symptoms, consult your veterinarian.

 

Can Dogs Have Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose?

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a semi-synthetic fiber that is tasteless and odorless. It‘s often used as a preservative, food additive and in gelatin.

 

It is safe for consumption for dogs.

 

In addition, it is the active ingredient in GenTeal eye drops which are used for dogs to treat irritation, dryness and redness.

Are Refresh Eye Drops Toxic To Dogs?

Refresh eye drops do not have any active ingredients that are toxic to dogs and contain the active ingredient carboxymethylcellulose. It is mostly a salt water solution that helps to keep eyes lubricated.

Does Refresh Eye Drops Contain Tetrahydrozoline?

Refresh eye drops contain the active ingredient carboxymethylcellulose sodium. This is similar to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose which is safe for dog consumption and used in eye drops for dogs.

 

Refresh eye drops do not contain tetrahydrozoline. However, be wary of dogs swallowing pieces of the bottle such as the lid or dropper. This would require a call or visit to the veterinarian.

Is Polymyxin Toxic To Dogs?

Polymyxin is an antibiotic and is used to kill bacterial infections. It is used in eye drop solution to help alleviate conjunctivitis and blepharitis. It is not life threatening or toxic, however, your dog may not tolerate it well and may develop vomiting or diarrhea. If you find these symptoms progressing and not getting better, consult your veterinarian on the next steps.

Can I Give My Dog Allergy Eye Drops?

If your dog has allergies you might notice symptoms in its eyes.

Here are somethings to look out for:

 

• Itching eyes
• Red, irritated eyes
• Watery eyes
• Pawing at face
• Discharge coming from one or both eyes
• Squinting
• Rubbing face on surfaces like furniture

 

You might have allergy eye drops you use for yourself, but before you give your dog a few drops, it’s a good idea to run this by your veterinarian first. Human eye drops are not always formulated for a dog’s eyes and will make the situation worse

 

If your veterinarian says it’s ok to use human eye drops on your dog, use the eye drops exactly as directed.

 

However, in most cases it is far better to get eye drops formulated for your dog’s eyes. This takes the guesswork out of treating the allergies.

 

What Should You Do If Your Dog Has Eaten Eye Drops?

It’s been a while since you’ve last seen your dog, so you go to check up on it. You open the doorway to your bathroom and gasp. The medicine cabinet is hanging wide open, prescription meds are on the floor, and your dog is chewing on something. You rush to get at whatever is in its mouth; eye drops.

 

It can be concerning, so here’s what you should do next.

 

1. Remove the possibly toxic substance away. Make sure your dog can’t get any more eye drops. Quantity of the solution ingested can make matters worse.
2. Make sure all pieces of the bottle are accounted for. There are several pieces of eye drop medication that can be choking hazards, create blockages in your dog’s digestive track or make it sick. Check for the lid, eye dropper or other pieces. If you can’t find it. Call your vet. They will direct you in the next steps.
3. Read the ingredients and get ready to call the vet. Don’t wait to make the call. Some eye drops contain lethal ingredients for your dog. You will want to be able to tell your veterinarian right away what your dog has ingested. Depending on the ingredients, they will advise you to wait and watch for symptoms, or bring your dog in.
4. Call animal poison control. You may also call animal poison control. They can help you determine the toxicity of the eye drop ingredients.

 

When your dog eats eye drops it’s good to be cautious. From pieces of the bottle to toxic ingredients, do call your vet or poison control right away.

Should You Make Your Dog Vomit?

If your dog has eaten eye drops with toxic ingredients, you may want to instantly make it vomit, but hold off. When your dog ingests eye drops, the active ingredients are absorbed so quickly that the damage, whether it be mild or severe, has already been done.

 

Inducing your dog to vomit will actually worsen the situation and may cause your dog to vomit repeatedly.

 

Do not make your dog vomit unless your vet gives you clearance to do so or it is done under medical supervision. They will then walk you step by step on how to do it.

What Do Vets Do To Induce Vomiting?

When it is urgent for a dog to get something out of its stomach, a veterinarian may opt to induce vomiting; here’s how they do it.

 

1. First your vet will make the determination whether to induce vomiting based on chemical toxicity, dog health problems, timing, problems with breathing, or type of object ingested.
2. If the situation requires induction of vomiting your dog will be taken to a treatment table and be connected to an IV.
3. Through the IV bag, the vet will administer an emetic medication.
4. In approximately five minutes your dog will vomit into an emesis basin.
5. The vet will examine the content of the vomit to make sure all the bad stuff got out.
6. Your dog may act tired and sleepy, but give it some time and it should be feeling much better.

How To Stop My Dog From Eating Eye Drops

There are a few things you can do to prevent your furry friend from getting into your eye drops.

 

• Don’t leave them out in the open. Eye drop bottles are tiny and easy to forget. Try and remember to put them away after using them and looking out for them when they are in your bag or pockets.
• Put them up high. Keep them out of reach, the higher and inaccessible, the better.
• Distract you pup. If your dog is getting into things that you don’t want it to in general, try distracting it with other things.

 

After making these things routine, it should be much easier for you to remember to keep eye drops away from your dog.

 

References

 

https://www.mallardcreekvet.com/dr-waldens-blog/over-the-counter-medications-that-are-dangerous-for-pets

https://www.mallardcreekvet.com/dr-waldens-blog/nasal-spray-and-eye-drop-poisoning-in-pets