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How to treat bread dough toxicosis in a dog | VETgirl Veterinary CE Video Blog

 

In this VETgirl online veterinary CE video, we demonstrate how to treat raw bread dough toxicosis in a dog. While baked bread is not a poisoning issue, raw bread dough is due to the yeast within it. The warm stomach of the dog acts as an “artificial oven” as it is moist and warm. It results in carbon dioxide and ethanol formation as the yeast is metabolized. For this reason, raw bread dough toxicosis can result in both a gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) and ethanol toxicosis! If the patient is completely asymptomatic, sometimes emesis induction can be performed. However, if the patient is already symptomatic, it is safer to gastric lavage with cold water (to slow the metabolism of the yeast). Sedation with an inflated endotracheal tube (ETT) to protect the airway is imperative. Using a large bore orogastric tube is imperative, as the thick doughy material must be removed. Ideally, we try to medically manage these cases, but rarely, surgery is required if the patient has a GDV or has a bezoar secondary to the dough (that can’t be removed by garage).

Ethanol toxicosis can result in ataxia, drunkeness, hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory depression and hypoglycemia. Treatment includes dextrose supplementation (if hypoglycemic), blood glucose monitoring, thermoregulation, and symptomatic supportive care. Rarely, positive pressure ventilation may be necessary in patients with severe respiratory depression.

Thankfully, the prognosis for raw bread dough toxicosis in dogs is excellent. (Cats btw, are too smart to eat this stuff). When in doubt, contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for life-saving advice.

*Note: In the video, we erroneously state that yeast is metabolized to sugar, ethanol and CO2, but it’s actually that yeast works by consuming the sugar and then producing carbon dioxide and alcohol as byproducts.

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