Chemical Injuries on Pets

Trauma to tissue caused by contact with harmful chemicals such as lye, acids, and strong
cleaning supplies.
What to Do
· Wash the contaminated area with large volumes of flowing water for at least 15
minutes.
· In the case of dry chemicals, brush them away carefully, taking extra care to
protect your and your pet’s eyes, nose, and mouth.
· If the chemical is in the eye, flush the eye with large volumes of water or saline for
15 minutes. See below for saline recipe)
· Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

What NOT to Do

· Do not give “neutralizing agents” to the skin or eyes. They can cause a chemical
reaction that produces heat and cause further injury to tissues.
· Do not immerse your pet in “non-flowing” water if a dry chemical has spilled on
him. These dry chemicals are usually activated by water. The water must be
flowing in order to rinse the chemical away.
Pure water can be quite irritating to the eyes and raw skin. It is much more comfortable
for your pet if you use saline: simply dissolve 2 teaspoons of table salt in one quart of
water (metric: 9 grams of salt in 1 liter of water).