Dogs ate "Do Not Eat" packet in pill bottle -- poisonous??

[mareezer]

Hello,

I just found my dogs chewing on the little plastic thing inside an 'empty' bottle of fish oil capsules.
I think something in the little container was for making the bottle smell like citrus, but I'm not sure what else was in it.
Usually those things contain some sort of silica, right?

What are the chances they'll become sick or die?

Thank you,

.marie.

[Jaybay]

Your best bet is to call a local ER vet.  Likely he'll be OK, but it's always best to make sure.  If you don't have an ER vet in your personal phone book yet, now would be a good time to find one.  Also, your own vet's office should have an outgoing recording for who to call with after-hours emergencies.

There IS an Animal Poison Control hotline, but you might be charged for the service on your credit card - I'm not certain on that.  It's through the SPCA and the number is [phone].

Because silica is a dessicant, it absorbs moisture along with a bit of whatever medication is in the bottle with it.  For example, if the gel is in with heart medication, that would be a bigger problem than if the packet was in a bottle of vitamins.  

Here is an answer to the same question on a different board I found:
Alone, silica gel is non-toxic, non-flammable and chemically non-reactive. HOWEVER, some of the beads may be doped with a moisture indicator, such as cobalt (II) chloride, which is toxic and may be carcinogenic. Cobalt (II) chloride is deep blue when dry (anhydrous) and pink when hydrated. This is one reason most silica gel packets are labelled as dangerous or poisonous when eaten.
You should get him to the vet, good luck.

Better safe than sorry.  Make that call to a vet now!

[BabaluandOtis2]

I'd call Animal Poison Control now and ask........1-800-345-4735, That is the number I have had posted on my fridge for awhile. I hope it hasn't changed.
If not.... look in your phone book and call an emergency vet in your area, they will know too.

Please let us know what they say!!

[BabaluandOtis2]

Hah, both posted the same info, same time......although you have a different # than I do. But mine has been up for some time, I better check on that.

Take care ; )

[Jaybay]

I just copied and pasted that number off the Animal Poison Control website. I HOPE it's a good one!  :-)

[BabaluandOtis2]

Mine was the free one so maybe they were getting too many silly type calls.....like 911 does with people asking for the time, the weather, what day is Christmas this year, lol....so maybe they had to start charging.