As the weather gets colder, more people will find improvised hand warmers in their homes, coat pockets, shoes, and trash cans. Commonly known as HotHands®, these disposable hand warmers contain iron powder that reacts and generates heat when exposed to air.
Unfortunately, dogs can happily chew and swallow warmers, which can lead to serious illness.
Learn how and why heating pads are toxic to dogs and what to do if your dog accidentally eats them.
Is hand warmer toxic to dogs?
While the iron content in hand warmers is the main toxicity concern, all parts of the hand warmer, including the outer fabric covering, can make your dog sick if ingested.
Disposable body warmers are mainly made of iron powder and activated carbon and have a cloth-like outer covering.
When you unwrap it and expose it to air, the warmer will start to generate heat. Over time (usually 4 to 12 hours), as heat is produced, the iron changes to iron oxide and no longer produces heat.
What happens if my dog eats Cairo?
The outer wrapper and iron oxide present after the exothermic process are most likely to cause gastrointestinal upset, and in rare cases can cause gastrointestinal upset. If a dog ingests it, it becomes obstructed.
early iron powder before To activate the hand warmer and A activated hand warmer can cause serious illness to your dog.
Iron is normally absorbed in the intestines. If your dog consumes too much iron, the lining of their intestines will be damaged, allowing too much iron to enter their body. When excess iron spreads throughout a dog’s body, it can damage multiple organs, including the liver and heart.
Irritation of the gastrointestinal tract is why early signs of gastrointestinal disorders such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain occur. Other signs include weakness, lethargy, and breathing problems.
As dog chiropractic poisoning progresses, damage to the heart and liver can lead to collapse, low blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, liver failure, and even death.
What to do if your dog has eaten Cairo
If you notice that your dog has torn or swallowed the warmer, first remove the remaining warmer to prevent your pet from ingesting more product and to get an idea of how much warmer to ingest. Clean the granules and outer covering material. The product is out of stock.
Please contact me Pet poisoning helpline® 1-855-764-7661 or your veterinarian to determine if your dog has ingested a problematic amount of iron and/or packaging and whether immediate medical attention is required.
All parts of the hand warmer, including the outer fabric cover, the iron content, and subsequently the iron oxide content, can make your dog sick if eaten.
If your dog shows no signs of serious illness (inability to stand, difficulty breathing, severe vomiting, weakness), contact a pet poison specialist through the Pet Poison Helpline before visiting your veterinarian. You can.
Based on the type and amount of exposure, these experts will recommend home monitoring and, if necessary, veterinary care.
However, if your dog shows signs of serious illness, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Treatment of Cairo Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog has eaten Cairo within 2 hours, depending on the amount, your veterinarian may recommend having the dog vomit at the hospital as a means of decontamination.
In some situations, Pet Poison Helpline experts may recommend induced vomiting at home with special guidance. Inducing vomiting in a dog should always be done under the guidance of a veterinarian.
Forcing a dog to vomit is a veterinary procedure that carries potentially life-threatening risks, including aspiration and gastrointestinal ulcers, if done incorrectly.
Depending on the amount of iron remaining in the gastrointestinal tract, your dog may be started on medications to minimize gastrointestinal upset or damage.
These drugs may include anti-nausea drugs such as famotidine and omeprazole, maropitant and ondansetron, and drugs to treat gastrointestinal inflammation such as sucralfate.
In severe cases (such as if the contents of a large amount of packaging or heating pads have been swallowed), the dog may need to be hospitalized for IV fluids or additional treatment.
Recovery from dog chirotoxicity
With a small amount of iron, you can expect your dog to return to normal within 24 hours of receiving the necessary supportive veterinary treatment. During this recovery period, you may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, changes in appetite, and changes in energy levels.
Your veterinarian may instruct you to administer medications to help your dog’s gastrointestinal tract heal.
If your dog ingests large amounts of iron, they may need to be hospitalized for several days.
Once your dog is discharged from the hospital, he may need gastrointestinal support medications such as famotidine, omeprazole, or sucralfate. You may also need liver support with veterinary products containing SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine), such as: Denamarin® or Denosyl®. Your puppy may also need a special diet during recovery.
It may take 1 to 5 days for his energy levels and gastrointestinal tract function to return to normal. Follow-up blood tests may be recommended to ensure your dog is back to full health without complications.
Prevention of Cairo poisoning in dogs
It’s unclear why dogs are so drawn to chewing and eating warmers. It could be the smell or just curiosity. Either way, it’s important to keep new and used hand warmers out of reach of your dog.
Consider storing your new hand warmer in a closed drawer or high shelf. Immediately after removing clothing, remove the warmer from your shoes or pocket and dispose of it in a covered trash can or in a trash can that your dog cannot access.
A little judicious use of hand warmers during this cold season can help keep your pup safe and away from the dangers of iron poisoning.
