Human and veterinary medical personnel need to be aware of this effect and monitor serum iron concentrations as chelation may be necessary. This case demonstrates that iron intoxication can occur following the ingestion of such products. Results indicate the contents contained 50-70% total iron. The lack of ingredient information on the packaging prompted analysis of contents of oxygen absorber sachets.
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To our knowledge, no cases of iron intoxication following the ingestion of oxygen absorbers have been reported. The ingestion of reduced iron in humans has been reported to cause mild elevation of serum iron concentration with minimal clinical effects. Clinical signs resolved 14 h following treatment, but the ALT remained elevated at the 3-month recheck. The dog was treated with deferoxamine and supportive care.
![dog ate silica gel dog ate silica gel](https://images.medicaldaily.com/sites/medicaldaily.com/files/styles/headline/public/2014/12/18/silica-gel.jpg)
Serum iron concentration and ALT were elevated. We present a case of canine ingestion of an oxygen absorber from a bag of dog treats that resulted in iron intoxication necessitating chelation therapy.Ī 7-month-old female Jack Russell terrier presented for evaluation of vomiting and melena 8-12 h after ingesting 1-2 oxygen absorber sachets from a package of dog treats. Although reduced iron typically has minimal oral bioavailability, such products are potential sources of iron poisoning in companion animals and children. They usually contain reduced iron as the active ingredient although this is rarely stated on the external packaging. Oxygen absorbers are commonly used in packages of dried or dehydrated foods (e.g., beef jerky, dried fruit) to prolong shelf life and protect food from discoloration and decomposition. Iron intoxication in a dog consequent to the ingestion of oxygen absorber sachets in pet treat packaging. Here’s the story that alerted me to the danger lurking in those ubiquitous oxygen absorber sachets: Now, what happens to iron when it’s irradiated? I don’t know and I’ll bet you a-nickel-to-a-doughnut that Purina, Milo’s, Dogswell and all the rest of the treat importers haven’t a clue either. So, fair warning pet parents, the bags are bad and I don’t just mean the jerky, but those ubiquitous little pouches of poison can make your pup sick, very sick. And in the case of the poor pup that swallowed the little sachet filled with iron – it caused a nasty case of iron poisoning. I can’t speak for all pet treat manufacturers, but in the case of the poisoned pup ( see below) the main ingredient of the oxygen absorber he ate was iron. Just what, in dog’s name, is in those freshness packets anyway and more importantly, will that stuff kill my dog? While feverishly poring over article after article, study after study about the effects of irradiation on food until I thought my head would explode, I came across the answer to your question: However, you can be sure to get the truth here on Poisoned Pets, because digging up stuff to rake the pet food industry over the coals with is my favorite thing to do. You know you’ll never get a straight answer from the manufacturer anyway, and if the product is from China – it’s a crap shoot. Is the info on the packages? Oh please, don’t waste your time. We know the product is irradiated – what happens when it, whatever “it” is, is nuked? What happens when you irradiate a radioactive material?
![dog ate silica gel dog ate silica gel](https://neeness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/canva-bichon-frise-MAEErierWbY.jpg)
Some say the iron could actually be scrap metal, some go further and say that scrap metal could be contaminated with radioactive material. Some say it’s just harmless silica, others swear it’s got something magnetic in it. Google results: Nothing much, except a bunch of other hysterical pet parents. You’re thinking, just what in the *bleep* is in those damn bags anyway? Could it hurt my dog? Heck, come to think of it – could it be contaminating the jerky treats with something horrible? The unscientific explanation is they are in there to keep stuff fresh. You probably don’t know much about them, other than the “Do not eat” warning on them. You turn your back and your dog has inhaled the entire bag of treats, including that itty-bitty sachet of who-knows-what that are included in every package of treats.