You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Bleach is widely used in the home and for swimming pools, and occasionally dogs will drink some

When handling animals exposed to bleach protective clothing (eg gloves) should be worn at all times.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)  is an alkali and domestic bleach is usually 3-6% in strength, but other forms of bleach, such as that supplied for use in swimming pools, can be as high as 50% strength. The main effects of bleach are are due to direct  injury to tissues which come into contact with it, especially :

• The mouth
• The throat
• The oesophagus
• The stomach 

Signs include:

• Excessive salivation
• Vomiting - sometimes haematemesis
• Caustic burns to the mouth and other tissues
• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing - if the pharynx is oedematous
• bleaching of dark hairs on the animal
• a chlorine smell
• Diarrhoea - sometimes haemorrhagic
• Increased lachrymation if the eye has been splashed

The animal should be given copious amounts of water to dilute the effect. In general authors do NOT recommend inducing vomiting ...the acid in the stomach should neutralise the alkali. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) should not be given as this reacts to produce carbon dioxide and can cause bloat.

Treatment involves :

• oral water
• wash bleach off coat - otherwise the animal may lick it off
• maintaining a patent airway
• supplemental oxygen if necessary
• IV fluids if necessary
• Parenteral analgesics for the pain
• Eye wash - physiological saline
• Antacids, or aluminium gel to aid healing of the stomach
• Some authors advocate "Milk of Magnesia" 3ml/kg by mouth
• Nutritional support - liquid feeding etc. 
• Tube feed (gastrostomy ot jejunal tube) to bypass serious upper alimentary tract injury

Updated January 2016