Dog Community

Help! How toxic are matches to a dog?

Posted : 5/26/2008 7:20:56 PM

We're dogsitting and despite incredible precautions (closing off all the rooms, taking up the waste baskets, not leaving food on the counters, etc. etc.), our little houseguest managed to get into a few matchbooks. We don't even smoke; I have a bowl of matchbooks we've collected over the years, and I stupidly left the door open to the room it's in for a few minutes when I went to another room.

We can't be sure he ate any, but all the matches are soggy, the covers are torn off a couple books and some of the matchheads have some of their heads "reduced" (like he licked them). Our local emergency vet clinic said he should be fine, but I also called the ASPCA poison hotline. They said inducing vomiting is recommended only if he ate more than 15-20 matches, but I don't know how many he ate, if at all. We're waiting for a callback from our vet (of course, this has to happen when the clinics are all closed!).

This was about an hour ago, and he seems fine, gobbled down his dinner like usual. Has anyone had this happen? Can I calm down and feel OK about what the emergency clinic said, or should I take him in there anyway?

P.S. - I tried searching the forum first, but had no luck (lousy SEARCH feature on this new format!).

luvmyswissy

Posted : 5/26/2008 8:21:52 PM

I've had a dog eat matches before and I didn't even think anything of it, I probably should have. But nothing happen to her. You could call posisiton control and ask http://www.aapcc.org/DNN/. I can't say for sure but I would think if this is an adult dog it probably won't hurt. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

nyiceprincess

Posted : 5/26/2008 9:02:39 PM

Cant say how they affect dogs but my Ex husband used to eat them when he was out camping and such,he said the sulfur in them made him unappetizing to bugs.He never had any adverse effects and he ate quite a few.

tacran

Posted : 5/26/2008 10:45:48 PM

Thanks for the replies. It's been nearly 5 hours since the "match incident," and he seems just fine. No vomiting, continuing to be his usual happy self, a normal poop on his walk. Guess I was worried for no reason (something I do easily!). Christi, it's funny what you said about your ex and camping. My husband said he did the same thing when he was in the service and they were somewhere with lots of mosquitoes! I'd never heard of such a thing.

Thanks again for the replies!

janet_rose

Posted : 5/27/2008 12:00:50 AM

I haven't found anything about dogs and matches, but I did find a site that says that your safety matches are non-toxic to cats. The multiple definitions of the word "match" make web searches difficult.

http://www.fiestyfelinefurniture.com/page/1422451
Matches (safety matches are non-toxic) [to cats]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matches
The safety match was invented in 1844 by the Swede Gustaf Erik Pasch and was improved by John Edvard Lundström a decade later.

Their safety is due to the separation of the combustible ingredients between a match head on the end of a paraffin-impregnated splint and a special striking surface; and the replacement of white phosphorus with red phosphorus.

tacran

Posted : 5/27/2008 12:23:59 AM

janet_rose
The multiple definitions of the word "match" make web searches difficult.

That's exactly the trouble I ran into when I did a general search before posting on the forum. I kept getting links for things like matching dogs to a person when choosing a breed, as well as other weird things. I even tried "dogs eating matches," but then I got nutrition-type links. The fact that I couldn't find anything gave me a (maybe false) sense of relief, as I figured if it was a huge poison issue, something would've come up when I did my googled all those phrases.

I called the ASPCA hotline back (they asked for an update). I told them it was 5+ hours later and he seemed fine, but then they put the fear of God back in me by saying he had to be watched for a few more hours for signs of lethargy, depression. Also, they said there's a risk of an intestinal blockage from the matches themselves, and we should look for signs such as drooling, attempts to vomit or eliminate unsuccessfully, distress, etc. Geesh - I thought I could stop worrying!

We just brought him back to his owners and gave them the full update. They said they're sure he'll be fine, but they'll watch for all the things I mentioned. I guess he's gotten into things before - he's a bit of a nosey nelly. You can be sure I'll be calling them tomorrow morning to make sure he's okay! I'm going to be thinking of him all night.

Thanks again for the replies and the links!

janet_rose

Posted : 5/27/2008 1:01:27 AM

tacran
We just brought him back to his owners and gave them the full update.

I would suggest to them that they give the dog milk thistle. It can't hurt and would support the liver in attempting to eliminate any chemicals/toxins.

A good one is HerbPharm milk thistle tincture available from http://www.morningstarhealth.com/ (among other places). They should be able to find it at a VitaminShoppe if there is one near them. However, some brand of milk thistle should be available in any health food store.