Ate some silica gel

[Mia and Wickett]

Help please!
Wickett was on the couch with me, and I looked over and there he was with a torn packet of silica gel..... I have no idea where it came from, but I immediately opened his mouth and got out the pieces he had in there. I threw the stuff out right away and called the vet. The answer was: "it's not supposed to be toxic" and they said that since he didn't eat a lot, he should be fine.

But I want some reassurance, as all over the packets there are warnings not to ingest, etc. Is there something I can give him? Something else I should do? He seems fine...playing with his toys and being his usual self. This happned about 45 minutes ago.

Thanks!

[chachi]

Well if you wanted to you could induce vomiting but I dont think its necessary. I have always heard it was non toxic also

[Shadow]

Here is what I found.
[Did You Know…The statement “DESSICANT- DO NOT EAT” commonly found on
the little packets of silica gel contained in medications, leather goods, certain pasta products and vitamins is not really as ominous as it sounds?

Silica gel is used to absorb moisture in many different products, and is usually packaged in plastic cylinders or paper packets. Silica gel is also used in certain cat litters for the same purpose. While it is indeed true that it is not meant for consumption, with most ingestions silica gel produces only mild stomach upset which typically resolves with minimal to no treatment. If very large quantities are eaten, however, such as with ingestions of multiple packets or mouthfuls of kitty litter, intestinal obstruction is a possibility- especially in very small animals.
B][/B]

[Mia and Wickett]

Ahh, thank you for that! He only ate a little bit, so I don't think he'll have stomach problems.

I know they don't want you to eat the stuff, but do they have to have such ominous warnings on the packets? It freaked me out!!

[Patti]

Pixie got a hold of one in July but she had a bad stomach reaction pretty quickly. The vet said she should be ok that they are not toxic but can upset some tummies. Since Pixie is so little and she threw up 4-5 times I took her in and they gave her something for her tummy and rehydrated her. If Wickett has no tummy problems then he will be fine if he does start throwing up call the vet again. Good luck

[yorkiesmiles]

I remember reading about Pixie, then I saw this and I htought oh no not again!

I'm wondering what it is in those litte packets that attracts the dogs. Does it smell like food somehow to them?

[Amber_lv]

Peeka has eaten these before to and they are not toxic but my vet said to give him some milk to help settle his belly.

[Mia and Wickett]

Oh no! Poor Pixie. Wickett hasn't had any stomach problems so far, so I think we're in the clear. I don't know what attracted him to it, but I'll keep a close eye for them. They just come in everything nowadays!

[Judy in Waco]

I am so sorry you had a scare like that. The warnings would have worried me too. Glad it's not that toxic.

[Mia and Wickett]

I'm really glad it's not toxic! I kept an eye on Wickett and he was totally fine. He ate like a little pig because we went over to my mom's and she spoiled him with a little bit of table food. Heh. And today he's eating fine. So I'm glad that nothing bad happened.

[Luckyone]

I thought they were super bad too. I just tossed one this morning deliberatly from my new purse to make sure the girls didn't get ahold of it.

Glad yours is allright.

[Geovanna]

Thank you all for the information I just read. My Brooklyn, just eat the whole packet of silica gel last night. He vomit twice this morning. I gave him some milk to settle his stomach. I hope he is going to be alright. I will call the vet on Monday.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Mia and Wickett

Ahh, thank you for that! He only ate a little bit, so I don't think he'll have stomach problems.

I know they don't want you to eat the stuff, but do they have to have such ominous warnings on the packets? It freaked me out!!

I keep the telephone number to the Poison Control center on my fridge! Also, the number to my emergency vet,,,they wont treat over the phone, but if you call them and tell them what has happened, they will usually at least tell you if the dog needs to be seen by a vet!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Geovanna

Thank you all for the information I just read. My Brooklyn, just eat the whole packet of silica gel last night. He vomit twice this morning. I gave him some milk to settle his stomach. I hope he is going to be alright. I will call the vet on Monday.

This thread is from 2007. Milk may not be the best thing to give, as it can cause diarrhea. The dessicants are not toxic, but I would think a large amount could cause a partial or complete blockage, depending on the size of the dog. I'd watch for any vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite and go to the vet if symptoms occur.

[rajshrimali]

Originally Posted by Mia and Wickett

Help please!
Wickett was on the couch with me, and I looked over and there he was with a torn packet of silica gel..... I have no idea where it came from, but I immediately opened his mouth and got out the pieces he had in there. I threw the stuff out right away and called the vet. The answer was: "it's not supposed to be toxic" and they said that since he didn't eat a lot, he should be fine.

But I want some reassurance, as all over the packets there are warnings not to ingest, etc. Is there something I can give him? Something else I should do? He seems fine...playing with his toys and being his usual self. This happned about 45 minutes ago.

Thanks!

The same issue has aroused by one of my clients and she sent mail to me regarding exactly the same issue which you described. i have given a complete answer by creating a new thread under the name "Not to be eaten" but it's in moderation queue. Hope it will be approved by the moderator so you can find your answer.