Advice about e-cigarettes and pets

Many people use electronic cigarettes as a replacement for smoking and although the reason behind using the device is to improve human health, e-cigarettes can be fatal if consumed.

A dog in Cumbria has died from eating an e-cigarette. It's thought to be the first case of this kind in Cumbria.

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs, can contain sufficient quantities of nicotine, enough to kill a small animal.

Nicotine poisoning acts very quickly and can be fatal. Laura Mckirdy examined the dog that died of nicotine poisoning:

Symptoms of a nicotine overdose:

• Twitchy

• Unable to walk / co-ordinate legs

• Hypo-aesthetic - overreacting to light, touch, and sound

• Dilated pupils

• Slow heartbeat

• Low temperature

• Salivating, vomiting , diarrhoea

• Collapsed / lethargic after a few hours

What to do:

• Store e-cigarettes and refill equipment safely out of reach of children and pets

• Contact a vet for treatment as quickly as possible if you suspect your pet has chewed or eaten an e-cigarette or any toxic substance

Though it's rare that incidents like this occur, more are being reported as e-cigarettes are becoming more widely used.

For more information visit:

• Veterinary Poisons Information Service

• British Veterinary Association