Most dogs exposed to e-cigarettes develop few symptoms, study finds
Fifty-three per cent of dogs remained asymptomatic after exposure to e-liquids.
Researchers have found that 94 per cent of dogs exposed to e-liquids from electronic cigarettes remain asymptomatic, or only develop mild signs.
The study, conducted by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, examined 321 cases in which dogs had been exposed to an electronic cigarette or e-liquid.
Of these cases, 53 per cent of dogs remained asymptomatic after oral exposure to e-liquid. Meanwhile, 41 per cent of cases saw dogs develop only mild signs.
Forty-seven per cent of dogs developed clinical signs of nicotine toxicosis as a result of exposure to electronic cigarettes or e-liquids.
The most common signs of nicotine toxicity were emesis, hypersalivation and tachycardia. Among the less common signs of exposure were tremors, ataxia or tachypnoea, which occurred in under seven per cent of cases.
These clinical signs were generally resolved within a few hours, with a median recovery time of three hours. The longest that symptoms persevered was six days.
Out of 321 cases, 28 per cent either received no treatment or were kept under observation only. Forty-five per cent of dogs underwent gut decontamination, often with activate charcoal or oral lavage, and two dogs required the removal of a foreign body.
Only six per cent of cases ended in a moderate, severe or fatal outcome. This includes one dog which died after chewing a bottle of e-liquid, causing it to experience progressive tachypnoea, persistent tachycardia, and hypotension.
The researchers discovered that the severity of poisoning was unrelated to the reported dose. It was unclear why a larger dose did not result in a more severe case of nicotine toxicosis.
However researchers did conclude that, in the majority of cases, exposure to e-liquids could be managed conservatively using symptomatic and supportive treatment.
Nicola Bates, lead author of the study, said: “Although severe effects following exposure to e-cigarettes or e-liquid is uncommon in dogs, each case should be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine if any decontamination or treatment is required”.
The full study can be found in the Journal of Small Animal Practice.
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The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
