Oral thermal injury associated with puncture of a salbutamol metered‐dose inhaler in a dog

Abstract

Salbutamol toxicity has been documented previously in dogs but oral thermal injury associated with a salbutamol MDI has not been reported in dogs. Although a rare complication, dogs who have been exposed to MDIs should have a thorough oral exam and be monitored closely for signs of respiratory compromise.

Poisoning of dogs and cats by drugs intended for human use

“…Hypokalaemia has been documented, resulting in arrhythmia and muscle weakness (Mensching and Volmer, 2007;McCown et al, 2008;Mackenzie et al, 2012). A rapid and positive response to supportive care and parenteral administration of KCl has been reported in a dog exhibiting hypokalaemia and paresis after the ingestion of salbutamol tablets (McCown et al, 2008).…”

“…Examples of β2-adrenergic receptor agonists include salbutamol (albuterol), metaproterenol, pirbuterol, isoetharine, terbutaline, formeterol and bitolterol. Cases of canine poisoning involving salbutamol, metaproterenol, terbutaline, and formeterol have been reported, in most cases due to owner's metered dose inhaler (Stiles and Plumb, 1993;Gustafson, 1994;Campbell and Chapman, 2000;Mensching and Volmer, 2007;Mackenzie et al, 2012; Table 7). Dogs that bite into the pressurised canister can be exposed rapidly to a substantial quantity of the contents of the inhaler (Mensching and Volmer, 2007).…”

“…Formeterol Caloni et al, 2014 Metaproterenol Rush andKeene, 1990;Stiles andPlumb, 1993 Salbutamol Stiles andPlumb, 1993;Vite and Gfeller, 1994;Campbell and Chapman, 2000;McCown et al, 2008;Mackenzie et al, 2012;Matos et al, 2012;Caloni et al, 2014Terbutaline Gustafson, 1994 obstruction in a dog; the dog responded to supportive care (Mackenzie et al, 2012).…”

Retrospective evaluation of acute salbutamol (albuterol) exposure in dogs: 501 cases

“…This can be delayed in onset by 24 h, with edema, ulceration, and erythema of the soft palate, and extensive pharyngeal and laryngeal edema. 14 There were no reports of thermal injury in the VPIS cases, but 23 dogs (4.6%) had signs of facial, oral, or ocular inflammation.…”

“…Another risk of puncturing a salbutamol inhaler is exposure to released compressed gas from MDIs that can cause significant oral thermal injury. This can be delayed in onset by 24 h, with edema, ulceration, and erythema of the soft palate, and extensive pharyngeal and laryngeal edema 14 . There were no reports of thermal injury in the VPIS cases, but 23 dogs (4.6%) had signs of facial, oral, or ocular inflammation.…”