Electronic cigarette or e-liquid (vape liquid) exposure in dogs: 321 cases (2011-2024)

To describe the clinical signs, treatments performed, poison severity and outcome in dogs exposed to electronic cigarettes or e-liquids.

Cases of dogs with exposure to electronic cigarettes or e-liquid and known outcome in the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) database were reviewed.

Of 321 dogs, 170 (53%) remained asymptomatic. Oral/buccal exposure was the most common route of exposure (98.8%). One dog had the liquid applied in the ear, two had ocular exposure and two had both ocular and oral exposure. The most common signs were emesis (23.1% overall), hypersalivation (13.1%) and tachycardia (9.0%). The strength of the liquid was unknown in 22.7% of cases; where known, the most common strength was 18 mg/mL (19.3%). The median dose of nicotine reported in cases of oral exposure was 2.6 mg/kg (n = 93), but was not related to severity of clinical signs; 94.4% remained well or developed only mild signs. Of the 321 dogs, 27.7% received no treatment or observation only; 45.2% received gut decontamination, most commonly activated charcoal only (23.7%) or oral lavage only (13.1%). The median recovery time was 3 hours. Of 151 dogs that developed signs, 149 recovered. One dog was euthanased due to financial constraints and, in the only fatal case, a dog collapsed and died at 3.5 hours.

Most dogs had none or only mild signs after exposure to electronic cigarette liquid. Severe poisoning is uncommon, and the severity of poisoning is unrelated to the reported dose.