dog died from eating gel ice pack

cooperjasper · 05-26-2009

Help! My dog died last week after apparently eating the corner of a kid's brand, gel, reusable ice pack that was clearly labeled "Non-toxic." At first the vet thought it was the inside that was deadly but now has reason to believe it was the plastic outer covering. The ice pack and biopsies of the kidneys have been sent off for testing. Anyone ever heard of this or familiar with it???? We are so sad that this has happened but even sadder that we put these ice packs in our children's lunch boxes.

05-27-2009

sorry for your loss. that is so terrible. I have never heard of anyone becoming sick from them. I assume the non toxic would be the outer casing, but not being familiar with them I don't know.

thanks for the warning though. I am so sorry for you loss.

CorkyMax · 05-27-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperjasper

Help! My dog died last week after apparently eating the corner of a kid's brand, gel, reusable ice pack that was clearly labeled "Non-toxic." At first the vet thought it was the inside that was deadly but now has reason to believe it was the plastic outer covering. The ice pack and biopsies of the kidneys have been sent off for testing. Anyone ever heard of this or familiar with it???? We are so sad that this has happened but even sadder that we put these ice packs in our children's lunch boxes.

So sorry to hear about your dog. But no, I have never heard of this before but am grateful that you posted about it! I have a couple of these just lying around and I better check and make sure my dogs can't get at them. Thank you for alerting me! There are so many things that are out there that are deadly--poisonous to dogs--it is unbelievable. Please keep us posted as to what you find out. What kind of dog was your poor baby--was he/she just a puppy? I feel for all dogs and you have my deepest sympathies--mine are like my kids. Hope when the sadness abates somewhat that you will find another dog to love.

05-27-2009

Anyone ever heard of this or familiar with it????

No, never have, but I would like to know more details if you get any from your vet!

06-03-2009

oh well why did the dog get that ice pack

06-10-2009

I'm so sorry

jnc_mcguire · 06-10-2009

I am so sorry for your loss

. Let us know what you find out from the vet.

jnc_mcguire · 06-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by samso

oh well why did the dog get that ice pack

I can't believe that you would even say anything like this!!!!!

It isn't like she gave the dog the ice pack!!!! Anyone that has a love for animals love other people animals even tho i have never meet the dog before it really makes me sad that her dog died from this.

Lara's mom · 06-10-2009

That was a terribly insensitive comment. It was an accident. As much as we try to protect our beloved furbabies, we don't always think of every possible thing. I really think you should apologise. That comment was uncalled for.

06-11-2009

Sorry for your loss

is there any chance that the pack isn't toxic but just the act of swallowing the material has caused internal damage? Has the vet told you that he/she believes toxicity of the product is what caused the death?

cooperjasper · 06-11-2009

Our vet sent off a biopsy of both kidneys and a sample of the ice pack (inside and outside) to Texas A&M University. The toxicology lab there did determine that the contents of the bag are in fact ethylene glycol (antifreeze) and that the dog did die from acute kidney failure due to ingesting ethylene glycol.
I am ignoring the rude comments because they are not even worth my time!

06-25-2009

She is a 90lb. Lab. She has eaten all kinds of things before. She has eaten rocks, sticks, rubber toys, trash, AND a 6' nylon leash. Everything except the buckle. Now she has eaten an ice pack. She might have eaten some of the insides, i'm not sure. It looks like she punctured it then squirted onto her dog bed. I am not sure how much "stuff" was inside the bag. There was quite a bit on the bed. She drank alot of water, which makes me believe she might of eaten some of it. What should I do?

cooperjasper · 06-25-2009

I do not know that every gel pack is toxic. However, my one experience with it, was that it is extremely toxic with ethylene glycol. You have a very short window in treating your dog if it did ingest ethylene glycol. I would get it to a vet ASAP and take the ice pack with you. Tell your vet about my dog's case. My dog drank a lot of water, started vomiting (12 hours after ingestion), became ataxic, and then kidney failure. By the time the ataxia had started, it was really too late for us to do anything. Good luck and please keep me posted! We are pursuing this with the CPSC, manufacturer, and Texas AG. The gel pack said it was non-toxic. Again, the active ingredient was ethylene glycol (antifreeze). Keep me posted!

cooperjasper · 06-26-2009

I replied earlier to this post but maybe it didn't go through. I don't know that every ice pack is toxic. However, 12 hours after ingesting my dog began vomiting, was drinking a lot of water, and then about 18 hours later was ataxic (wasn't walking straight, very wobbly). It was the same chemical as antifreeze (ethylene glycol). I would definitely take your dog to the vet and tell them about our case. Unfortunately, once symptoms start, it isn't very good. Please keep me posted and I hope that your Lab is okay. We are pursuing this legally since the gel pack said it was non-toxic. Save the ice pack if your dog does get sick!!! Good luck!

CorkyMax · 06-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daisy75

She is a 90lb. Lab. She has eaten all kinds of things before. She has eaten rocks, sticks, rubber toys, trash, AND a 6' nylon leash. Everything except the buckle. Now she has eaten an ice pack. She might have eaten some of the insides, i'm not sure. It looks like she punctured it then squirted onto her dog bed. I am not sure how much "stuff" was inside the bag. There was quite a bit on the bed. She drank alot of water, which makes me believe she might of eaten some of it. What should I do?

I just sent an email to the person who started this thread asking her to give you some info-- I would call the vet--Only afraid they may be as puzzled about this problem as her vets were---BUT maybe they could tell you if making the dog throw up would be a good idea or not!! Please don't do this unless the vet tells you to---It may do more harm than good!!! Dogs will eat grass to get rid of things in their stomach---Don't know if you should do this or not either unless vet says okay for dog to throw-up!! How is the dog acting now--besides drinking more water?? Does it have access to grass right now---just wondering if it wants or will eat grass to try and bring this up!! Call your vet now.

cooperjasper · 06-26-2009

Why can I not see my replies?

cooperjasper · 06-26-2009

I'll try to reply again...I would call the vet!!! The chemical in my gel pack was ethylene glycol (antifreeze) and it is highly toxic! yes, the pack did say non toxic. My dog began vomiting 12 hours after ingestion, was drinking alot of water, and then was ataxic. Please, take your dog to the vet. Tell them about my dog. Your vet can run labs to check the kidneys. Good luck and please keep me posted! We are pursuing this case legally due to the mislabeling of the product.

CorkyMax · 06-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperjasper

Why can I not see my replies?

What happened when you clicked on the submit reply below your post? Did a message come up saying it had to be checked out or what!!? If this is happening--you could send this person an email or a private message as there should be no problem with that!

Catherine Ladd · 08-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperjasper

Help! My dog died last week after apparently eating the corner of a kid's brand, gel, reusable ice pack that was clearly labeled "Non-toxic." At first the vet thought it was the inside that was deadly but now has reason to believe it was the plastic outer covering. The ice pack and biopsies of the kidneys have been sent off for testing. Anyone ever heard of this or familiar with it???? We are so sad that this has happened but even sadder that we put these ice packs in our children's lunch boxes.

We are so frustrated and concerned right now. Our 5 month old miniature Schnauzer and his brother ate one of these packs yesterday afternoon. We immediately took them to the vet, one is doing completely fine while the other is at the animal hospital. There is NO indication on the package of material and no call number for the product. I am so sorry for your loss. How long was it before he was treated? Is there something further we should advise the animal hospital of? We would really like to know what is in the pack! Animal poison control believes they know, but can't say for sure.

cooperjasper · 08-21-2009

My dog was at the vet about 16 hours after he ate the pack. He started getting sick 8-9 hours after ingestion. It is not a fun road to have to travel. Inside our ice pack, toxicology testing indicates that it was ethylene glycol (antifreeze) which resulted in acute kidney failure. I am so sorry about your dog too! Please keep me posted as to how your dog is doing via the forum or you can send me an email message. Good luck!