Toxin Tuesdays: Batteries

Batteries can pose a threat to our pets. (Image Source)

Almost every household will have batteries of different shapes and sizes in it. While most of the time they will be kept in an out of the way location, if our pets do have access to them it can lead to devastating results. Batteries pose a significant toxic threat to pets (and children!). With the variety of batteries out there, it is very helpful if you know what type your pet may have had access to as the toxic effects can vary.

Exposure to batteries can come from a variety of unexpected places. (Image Source)

Lithium disc (or button batteries) actually pose some of the greatest risk. When ingested, they can lead to necrosis (or death) of the tissue they come in contact with. This would include the esophagus, stomach and the intestines. The longer they have contact with the tissue, the more damage can occur which could even lead to a perforation (or hole) in the tissue. When the gastro-intestinal tract is compromised in this way, bacteria can leak into the abdomen and it can become life threatening if not dealt with immediately. Other batteries can have side effects as well. As they break down, dry cell batteries can lead to the development of ulcers. If batteries stay in the system too long or a large quantity is ingested, it can also lead to heavy metal toxicity.

Although in this case it is a coin, a battery would look similar on an x-ray (Image Source)

As mentioned above, symptoms will often include the gastro-intestinal track. These could be ulcers anywhere from the esophagus to the intestines. If the battery is chewed, the skin around mouth could become ulcerated or irritated. With heavy metal toxicity, the liver can become damaged due to prolonged exposure.

Your veterinarian may check the mouth and gums for signs of ulceration. (Image source)

While most of us keep our batteries put away in a safe place, we need to remember that there are other areas our pets could be exposed. This could include toys, remote controls or the garbage if old batteries have been discarded. If you pet has been exposed it is best to contact your veterinarian right away. Likely they will start with a full work up including x-rays and blood work. If the battery is still present they may recommend surgery to remove it. This could help prevent development of secondary heavy metal toxicity. If the pet is stable oral medications may be prescribed to help soothe any ulcers or gastro-intestinal irritation. While this is not one of the most common exposure it can lead to serious side effects.  If you ever have any concerns be sure to contact your veterinarian and try to keep old and new batteries out of reach of our pets!