Albuterol Toxicity In Dogs: Hazards Of Inhalers

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336 – The Annual, 2025-26

By Barbara E. Magera MD

A four-year old Cavalier presented to a veterinarian emergency room with panting, a heart rate of 200, and tremors. Urgent lab work revealed hypokakemia (2.1 mmol/L), hyperglycemia (125 mg/dl), and metabolic acidosis (blood pH, venous 7.29). The dog was admitted and treated with IV fluids, IV potassium replacement, and oral propranolol. Over the next 24 hours, the dog’s heart rate, blood pressure, and electrolytes were corrected.

The owner is an asthmatic and requires immediate access to an albuterol inhaler to control acute asthma symptoms. He routinely places an inhaler in strategic areas such as his bedside, coffee or kitchen table, and in his car console.

The owner presented a punctured inhaler canister originally containing a total of 17 gr. of albuterol. He found his Cavalier chewing on this new albuterol inhaler.

Based upon information from the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), albuterol toxicity in dogs with fatal outcomes has markedly increased. Albuterol suspension emits a beef aroma that entices chewing and potential ingestion of the entire canister content.

Click here to read the complete article
336 – The Annual, 2025-26

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