The silica gel packets that come with some of the food products may entice a dog to consume them. If a dog eats an oxygen absorber packet, it may experience gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. If at-home decontamination is appropriate, the pet owner may induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide and then give 1-3 teaspoons of aluminum or magnesium hydroxide (Alternagel or Milk of Magnesia) to reduce the systemic absorption of iron. No high fees. Vomiting, either with or without blood, is one of the initial symptoms of poisoning after consumption. Can you die if you eat an oxygen absorber? If the packet is not removed from the dogs mouth, the heat will continue to build up and could potentially cause burns to the dogs mouth and throat. After the packaging has been removed from the vitamins or foods, repackages of vitamins or foods can be used. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! The packets of oxygen absorbers clearly state that they should not be consumed. Iron can be poisoned in dogs by eating oxygen absorbers found in pet treats. 2012 Mar;8(1):76-9, Brutlag AG, Flint CT, Puschner B; PMID: 22190175 [PubMed indexed for MEDLINE]. In addition to not enlarging in the stomach, the beads are usually soft on the outside and pose little risk of obstruction. Thank you! Oxygen absorbers, in addition to poisoning a dog, can kill it. When looking at an old or expired product, look for its red rusty color, particulate nature, and difficulty in absorbing the smell from the outside. In rare cases, more serious problems can occur, such as difficulty breathing or low blood sugar levels. Subscribe | Donate | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn. An oxygen absorber is a packet of iron powder that is used to remove oxygen from an airtight container. cobalt chloride, a toxic substance, is used to treat these packets, making them potentially hazardous to ingest. Irons toxic effect is demonstrated by the production of iron-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) that directly damage the gastrointestinal epithelial lining. After ingestion, vomiting (with or without blood) is one of the first signs of poisoning. Dr. Scott shares some advice on how to starve your dog for 24 hours and reintroduce his usual diet over the next few days. So all you can do is just to keep an eye on your dog and contact a local vet if serious adverse symptoms occur but that would be highly unlikely. The Third Stage The label does not specify the amount of elemental iron, even though the outside package includes iron as a component. The most common side effect is gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. Conclusion. The images help the vet find where the oxygen-absorbing packets are located. There are 55,679 satisfied customers. Read on and well tell you about them! At Pet Poison Helpline, the most severe cases of iron poisoning from oxygen absorbers have occurred in small dogs (<15 pounds). How much iron is in oxygen absorber packet? In most cases, your dog will require an IV for fluids and to administer medications. If the iron oxygen absorber packet is . Prevention is always the best medicine! The oxygen content of oxygen absorbers in OxyFree oxygen absorbers must be no higher than 0.01% to be effective over 6 to 24 hours. As soon as you realize your dog has consumed an oxygen absorber, keep a close eye on them and look out for any signs for a few months. The jury is still out on this one, so its probably best to err on the side of caution and keep them away from your dog. Carbon dioxide is soluble in water, so any iron compound that is not soluble such as rust will remain in the body after ingestion. It is important to wash your hands after handling an oxygen absorber and to keep them out of reach of children. The color of an old or expired product, the particulate nature of it, and the difficulty in feeling the product from the outside indicate oxygenation. What happens if you don't eat a pouch? This means if you click on the link and purchase this item or service, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Iron is a natural oxygen scavengers, and iron oxide powders are enclosed in the itty bitty sachets to control the oxygen environment in the package. Im dedicated to helping people and their dogs build strong relationships based on mutual respect and trust. 2. How poisonous is that to dogs? It happens between 6 and 24 hours. Iron poisoning can occur when dogs ingest iron-containing supplements. Activated carbon is also used to remove odors, as it acts as a gas absorbent. Food contains bacteria, yeast, and molds, which are commonly found in it. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the packet. In general, it is not recommended to give your dog any type of supplement without first consulting with a veterinarian. If your dog ingests a large amount of the packet, they may also experience difficulty breathing and need to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Absorbers are attached to the enclosing packaging to remove or reduce the amount of oxygen in the package. Food deterioration occurs without a system for managing it. If your dog has eaten one of more of these, they should be fine, as the charcoal is not going to be toxic to them. Common warning indicators include: Vomiting. While some people have chokeed on the packet if it has been eaten, it is nontoxic if consumed. A silica gel packet typically has one to two inches of beads inside and is labeled with a white, clear, or opaque string. It can be found in meat, poultry, and fish, as well as in some vegetables. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Dogs are unable to eliminate the excess iron from their bodies, therefore the iron damages their liver, neurological system, heart, gastrointestinal system, and metabolic system. Beef jerky manufacturers can develop an oxygen absorber that meets their specific needs. This is an emergency. Clinical signs resolved 14 h following treatment, but the ALT remained elevated at the 3-month recheck. Silica gel packets are commonly labeled with the message Silica Gel Do Not Eat to avoid moisture damage, and they are used as desiccants (drying agents). The iron packets should be considered the most dangerous and should warrant an immediate trip to your vet, as they can severely poison your dog. Symptoms of vitamin poisoning can range from muscular tremors and seizures (as seen with vitamin D) to abdominal edema and shock (as seen with iron toxicity), poor haircoat and paralysis (rarely seen but caused by vitamin A), and convulsions followed by sleepiness as seen with Vitamin K is essential for blood clot formation. The goal of the first test is to determine the presence of iron in the ingested substance. Please be aware that if you or a pet ingests the contents of a sachet, you will be fine. Small dogs are usually the most toxic. More details about Paul Brazzell can be found here. AGELESS has been found to be non-toxic in acute toxicity tests administered by public institutions. If you believe your dog ate an iron oxygen absorber, never induce them to vomit! When it comes to oxygen absorbers, the ingredient list is frequently absent from the outer package, making it difficult for animal health professionals to decide on the best course of action. By utilizing that property, Ageless is able to provide an oxygen-rich environment for your dog in a way that is both quick and efficient. > If the iron level comes back greater then 300 to 400 mcg/dL chelation therapy with deferoxamine may be necessary to prevent organ damage.3 References 1. You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten Ageless Oxygen Absorbers: Ingested the Iron Oxide Only (from one packet): If your dog has eaten only the iron oxide inside one packet, he may experience diarrhea and vomiting that lasts for 12-24 hours. Cracks can form in exposed areas due to accidental freezing and thawing as a result of cold weather. Some people say that their dogs have eaten them without any problems, while others report that their dogs have become sick or even died after eating them. Some say it is iron. As the packets absorb oxygen, the iron inside turns to iron oxide. If you vomit repeatedly or become unable to hold food down, you should seek immediate medical attention. Even small amounts of iron can cause serious damage, even in the oxygen absorber packet, which is composed primarily of iron. Depending on how much silica gel is consumed, vomiting and diarrhea can occur. If you or a loved one eat a packet of "DO NOT EAT" stuff, play it safe and call Poison Control. Phase 4 is when the dog will determine if the dog is safe from a fatal outcome. A: Elemental iron can cause severe poisoning, even in the small amounts contained in one oxygen absorber packet. That said, if the packet contains iron (easily tested with a magnet), then you want to get the vet involved right away. When disposing of packets outside, place them in sealed garbage bags that are outside the trash can. Unfortunately, Ageless Oxygen Absorbers can be toxic to dogs. The terms active packaging refers to packaging systems used with preserve foods, pharmaceuticals, and other products. Oxygen has been linked to food spoilage in a variety of ways. Oxygen absorbers are those small packets that come in a wide range of products. No problems are likely if an adult eats an oxygen absorber, but acute iron toxicity can occur when a child or a pet eats an oxygen absorber packet. If a dog eats an oxygen absorber packet, the chemical reaction inside the packet will produce heat, and the packet will become extremely hot. If your dog has eaten an oxygen absorber, it is important to seek professional medical help immediately as they can be very dangerous. If Your Dog Ingests An Oxygen Absorber From Beef Jerky Dont Panic! The vet will also treat other symptoms as they arise. People and dogs who have elevated serum iron levels of more than 500 g/dl are more likely to develop toxicosis. You may also experience shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. The contents of the OurFitPets.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (Content) are for informational purposes only. My name is Ken and Im one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. It is very irritating to the GI tract and has direct corrosive effects. Are oxygen absorber packets harmful? The third stage of iron . If you cant get your vet, call the ASPCA Poison help line at 888-426-4435 and they can assist you to induce vomiting or suggest other steps which might help. Think about the recent scare involving Petcos stainless steel dog bowls contaminated with radioactive scrap metal containing Cobalt-60. If your dog eats beef jerky with an oxygen absorber, it should be treated immediately by your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Some say its just harmless silica, others swear its got something magnetic in it. However, if you have intestinal problems or take medications that prevent your body from processing iron, eating foods containing iron could cause problems. An oxygen absorber is a packet of elemental iron granules that is added to prepared or dehydrated food to absorb excess oxygen. What happens if a dog eats a multivitamin? Oxygen absorbers are used to help keep food fresh, and theyre safe for humans to eat. As with silica gel, the worst that will likely happen is a stomachache, potential vomiting, and perhaps a little diarrhea, but the chances of even these occurring are fairly low (with small and older dogs being the most likely to show this). The four stages will occur in every case of iron toxicosis, even if not every single symptom of each stage manifests itself. Google results: Nothing much, except a bunch of other hysterical pet parents. That means it is made of iron, which I believe to be the case. Not that you need one, but, now you have one more reason to be scared sh**less of anything from China. During the absorption of oxygen, no hazardous gases are released. These areas are always cold, which could lead to the formation of a frozen mass that would be difficult to remove if your dog ate it. A silica gel is a desiccant that is commonly used in small packets to prevent moisture from causing damage to food and industrial products. Skin test Pinch your dog's skin between their shoulders and gently lift it a couple of inches. Your veterinarian will take a few crucial measures to remove the extra iron from your dogs system after diagnosing iron toxicity. This is a very complicated phase in the sense that the initial symptoms will stop and seemingly have disappeared. Iron is a key component of an oxygen absorber. A dog may eat an oxygen absorber if it smells like food, such as pepperoni or other meats. A small amount of plastic in your stomach can cause nausea and stomach aches but should not cause permanent damage. The chemical form of iron influences how it is absorbed and transported, but it is influenced by many other factors, including pH, binding components, transporter proteins, and reducing enzymes. The oxygen in jerky bags is depleted as a result of chemical reactions, which are then absorbed by the animal. It is important to keep oxygen absorbers out of reach of pets. While Ageless Oxygen Absorbers are safe when used as directed, what happens if a dog eats one of these packets? When silica is processed and produced, it is irritating to the respiratory tract, the skin, and the gastrointestinal tract. While oxygen absorbers are safe to use, there is a risk of contracting an infection if the iron powder comes into contact with open wounds or mucous membranes. If your dog has symptoms of intestinal obstruction, call the vet immediately. The oxygen absorber sachet provided no information about the ingredients in the box, nor did it contain the salt formulation or amount of elemental iron that is commonly available in the pet food industry.