My dog chewed an albuterol inhaler. Is it dangerous? What should I do?

Albuterol toxicity in dogs can be a life threatening problem as it can cause abnormal heart rhythm and rate, elevated blood pressure, electrolyte disturbances, high body temperature, excitement/agitation, and vomiting. It is a good sign that she made it through the night but she should be seen by a vet to check her heart and electrolytes. Unfortunately, there really isn't much you can do at home to diagnose and treat her problem.

I think you should contact the Pet Poison Helpline. Albuterol can be quite toxic and I’d be concerned at his size this could be a toxic exposure. Albuterol can cause a decrease in potassium and muscle weakness and it can affect the heart. http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This can be a serious toxicity but it depends on how much was ingested. Yes, it is indicated to have him evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. They would be able to determine how much was ingested possibly and proceed accordingly. Best of luck!

Oh dear, poor Pearl! Albuterol can cause signs of toxicity at certain doses, which can cause high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, tremors and seizures. Some dogs also become a bit depressed or vomit as well. At this point, I recommend calling the ASPCA animal poison control center at (888) 426-4435 to discuss the volume of albuterol ingested (how many mg?) for Pearl's 20 pound body weight. From there, they will be able to advise you as to whether toxicity is expected and will need veterinary attention or if Pearl can be monitored at home. I hope that all goes well!

I would expect that if anything bad was to happen to Junior, you would have seen signs by now. Dogs chewing on inhalers and getting exposed to the medication in them often have acute reactions meaning that you see signs of a problem pretty quickly. I'd still keep an eye on him for now, and if you are very worried, have him seen by a vet just to be safe. Best of luck.

If it was just one puff, he should be fine. If it was a rescue inhaler (albuterol) he may be a little jittery and or have a high heart rate for a short bit, but he should be fine. If it was a steroid inhaler, 1 puff is not going to hurt him. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I would not recommend using an inhaler for kennel cough. An inhaler treats inflammation in the lungs and kennel cough causes inflammation in the upper airway. If the coughing has been going on for more than a couple days or if there are additional symptoms (lethargy, not eating, etc) I would recommend that DandyLion see a vet for further diagnosis. Additionally, albuterol can have effects that may be harmful in dogs.