Risks of exposure to liquid laundry detergent pods compared to traditional laundry detergents in dogs

Objective To calculate risk differences of traditional laundry detergents as compared to pods, describe clinical signs expected from exposure, and outline commonly employed treatment options. Design Retrospective review of cases reported to Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) from the dates of March 1, 2012 to March 1, 2015. Setting The computer database of the PPH, an international animal poison control center. Animals Four hundred and forty‐three dogs (294 exposed to liquid pods; 149 exposed to liquid or powder laundry detergent) were included in this study. Interventions None. Measurements and main results The database for Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) was searched for all dog exposures to “laundry detergent.” Each case was checked for known or suspected exposure to any brand of laundry detergent either as a bulk package of liquid or powder or when packaged as a pod that included the word “pod,” “packet,” “pac,” “pocket,” “sachet,” or other terms that were indicative of a single‐use contained portion of concentrated liquid laundry detergent. Dogs that were exposed to the detergent in a liquid‐pod form were 1.8 times more likely to develop clinical signs, 1.3 times more likely to develop emesis, and 1.8 times more likely to develop a cough than those exposed to the traditional form. Conclusions Dogs are almost twice as likely to develop emesis and coughing after being exposed to pods of laundry detergent compared to the traditional form. These signs can result in a more severe and acute emergency situation. With symptomatic and supportive care, the prognosis is good for these patients.