Ask Dr Claire

My dogs have drunk some vegetable oil. They seem bright. Should they see a vet or should we monitor them?

Whether ingestion of vegetable oil is a problem or not depends on the amount that’s eaten, the size of the dog and whether they are predisposed to conditions like pancreatitis.

A small intake may just result in some oily diarrhoea.

A large intake would likely cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and possibly pancreatitis.

In the case of a recent intake of a large amount of oil, or if the patient is predisposed to pancreatitis, it’s best to see your local vet. They may recommend induction of vomiting to get rid of the oil before its absorbed.

If your dog is quiet, vomiting or uncomfortable following the oil intake, a hands-on examination from your local vet would be a great place to start. If pancreatitis is suspected, a blood test would be suggested.

If you’d like to chat in person, you can get a vet on a live video call or start a chat to discuss in more detail now.

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Chat soon,

Dr Claire