Chemical Burns of the Skin
Chemical burns of the skin in dogs and cats are tissue damages caused by contact with corrosive substances. These injuries differ fundamentally from thermal or mechanical skin damage and require specific treatment. Chemical burns can be divided into two main categories depending on the causative substance: acid burns and alkali burns.
Acid burns lead to coagulation necrosis, where the tissue hardens due to protein denaturation, limiting further penetration of the acid into deeper tissue. Alkali burns, on the other hand, lead to liquefaction necrosis, a liquefaction of the tissue that allows deeper penetration of the substance and thus often causes more severe damage. The severity of a burn is determined by the pH value of the substance, the concentration, the duration of contact, and the affected body part.
Particularly with pets, it should be noted that due to their fur coat and behavior (licking), they often react differently to chemical burns than humans. The fur can provide some protection on one hand, but on the other hand, it can also make it more difficult to recognize and treat chemical burns.
Causes
Externally visible chemical burns can be caused by many different substances such as alkalis and acids, drain cleaners, thinners, gasoline, and others. The cause is not always known. If your pet has ingested the substances (by licking), contact your veterinarian immediately. If possible, bring the container with you or at least note down the contents of the label.
Chemical burns in pets can be caused by numerous substances that are often found in the immediate living environment of the animals. The most common causes include:
Household chemicals pose a particular danger, including cleaning agents such as drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, oven cleaners, and descalers. These often contain highly concentrated acids or alkalis. Battery acid from leaking batteries or accumulators can also cause severe chemical burns if animals chew on them or come into contact with them.
In outdoor areas, garden fertilizers, pesticides, and pool chemicals such as chlorine are potential sources of danger. Building materials such as cement, lime, or mortar can also lead to severe skin damage due to their strongly alkaline nature if animals walk over freshly treated surfaces or lick this material.
In garages and workshops, there are additional sources of danger such as car batteries, coolants, rust removers, or solvents like thinners and gasoline. These can lead to chemical burns through direct skin contact or by licking the fur after contamination.
Especially with cats, who regularly groom themselves, there is a risk of secondary oral ingestion of the corrosive substances, which can additionally lead to burns in the mouth and throat area as well as systemic poisoning.
Symptoms
- Redness of the skin
- Bloody skin areas or dissolved skin surface
- Blistering
- Severe pain.
The symptoms of a chemical burn can vary depending on the type of corrosive substance, concentration, exposure time, and affected body region. Characteristic signs include:
Immediately after contact, affected animals often show clear pain reactions, restlessness, or try to lick or scratch the affected area. The skin typically shows redness, swelling, and in more severe cases, blister formation. In advanced chemical burns, bloody skin areas or a dissolved skin surface may be visible.
Acid burns often lead to brownish to black, leathery discolorations of the skin, while alkali burns tend to cause soft, jelly-like tissue changes with whitish to grayish coloration. In animals with dense fur, these changes are often only fully visible after shaving the affected area.
Secondary symptoms can include hair loss, crust formation, and in case of infection of the damaged skin areas, also purulent secretion and increased itching. In case of large-scale chemical burns or if the animal has ingested the substance, systemic symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or breathing difficulties may occur.
Especially with chemical burns in the facial area, on the paws, or on the belly, the impairment for the animal is often considerable, as these areas are particularly sensitive or can restrict normal movement.
First Aid
- The most important measure is to remove the corrosive substance.
- In case of chemical burns, protect yourself and immediately rinse the affected area on your pet for at least 10 minutes with cool, preferably running water.
- Brush off dry substances beforehand. Protect yourself! Wear gloves or use a towel. Remove the collar or other utensils from the animal.
- Cover the burned area with a clean cloth or a light bandage.
- Do not apply pressure to the wound, do not constrict it.
- Do not use materials that release fibers into the wound.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a chemical burn is primarily based on the medical history and clinical examination. It is particularly important for the veterinarian to know which substance the animal came into contact with, when the contact occurred, and how long the exposure lasted. If possible, the packaging or a sample of the corrosive substance should be brought to the veterinary examination.
During the clinical examination, the extent of the burn is first assessed. This includes determining the affected body surface area and the depth of tissue damage. For animals with dense fur, careful shaving of the affected area is often necessary to recognize the full extent of the damage.
In some cases, measuring the pH value on the skin surface using special test strips can be helpful to distinguish between acid and alkali burns and to initiate appropriate treatment. If systemic effects are suspected, additional blood tests are performed to detect organ damage, electrolyte shifts, or acid-base balance disorders.
In severe burns, a biopsy of the damaged skin may be necessary to more accurately determine the depth of tissue damage and better assess the healing process. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound or CT scans are used when deeper tissue damage or involvement of underlying structures is suspected.
Further veterinary measures
The treatment of chemical burns in dogs and cats requires quick and systematic action. Ideally, first aid should be administered by the pet owner immediately by rinsing the corrosive substance from the skin with plenty of lukewarm water. It is important to ensure self-protection, for example by wearing gloves.
In the veterinary practice, thorough cleaning and decontamination are carried out first. Dry substances are carefully brushed off before the affected area is thoroughly rinsed. Depending on the type of burn, specific neutralizing solutions may be used, but these must be applied with caution as the neutralization reaction itself can be exothermic and cause additional damage.
Further treatment includes adequate pain therapy with analgesics and, if necessary, antibiotic coverage to prevent secondary infections. For superficial burns, modern wound dressings such as hydrogels or hydrocolloids are used, which create a moist wound environment and promote healing.
Severe burns with deeper tissue damage may require surgical interventions such as debridement of necrotic tissue or, in advanced cases, even skin grafts. For large-area burns, inpatient admission with intensive monitoring and fluid therapy is often necessary.
In addition to local wound treatment, it is particularly important for animals to prevent licking or nibbling of the wound, which can be achieved through the use of collars, bodysuits, or special bandages.
Prognosis and aftercare
The prognosis for chemical burns depends significantly on the type of corrosive substance, the extent of damage, and the speed of initial treatment. Superficial burns generally have a good prognosis with adequate treatment and often heal without permanent damage. With deeper burns, especially from alkalis, healing can take several weeks and may result in scarring.
Aftercare plays a crucial role in the healing process. Regular veterinary check-ups are important to monitor the progress of healing and adjust treatment if necessary. Dressing changes are performed every one to three days depending on the wound condition and dressings used, paying attention to signs of infection or delayed wound healing.
Especially with burns in the facial area or on the paws, functionality may be impaired, which may require physiotherapy support to prevent movement restrictions. In case of extensive scarring, special massage techniques or silicone dressings can help minimize scar formation.
In the long term, severe burns can lead to pigment changes, permanent fur loss, or reduced skin elasticity. In areas with significant scarring, there is also an increased risk of new injuries, as the skin is less resilient there.
Summary
Chemical burns of the skin in dogs and cats constitute a medical emergency that requires quick action. They are caused by contact with corrosive substances such as acids or alkalis, which are contained in many household, garden, and car care products. Symptoms range from redness and swelling to severe tissue damage with blistering and necrosis.
First aid includes immediate flushing of the affected area with plenty of water to dilute and remove the corrosive substance. Veterinary treatment includes thorough cleaning, pain therapy, infection prophylaxis, and depending on the severity, various wound treatment techniques up to surgical interventions.
The prognosis depends on the extent of the damage and the speed of initial treatment. Careful follow-up care is crucial for an uncomplicated healing process. Preventive measures such as the safe storage of household chemicals and the use of pet-friendly alternatives can significantly reduce the risk of chemical burns.
It is important for pet owners to be aware of potential sources of danger in the household and to react quickly and correctly in case of an emergency. Early veterinary care can limit the extent of damage and improve the chances of healing.
Outlook on current research
Research in the field of treating chemical burns in small animals continues to evolve. Current studies focus on innovative wound dressings with bioactive components that can accelerate the healing process and reduce scarring. Particularly promising are materials with antimicrobial properties that simultaneously create an optimal wound environment.
Another research focus is on developing improved diagnostic methods to more precisely determine the extent of tissue damage. New imaging techniques such as confocal laser microscopy allow for non-invasive assessment of tissue damage in various skin layers and could optimize therapy planning in the future.
In the field of regenerative medicine, stem cell therapies are being researched that have the potential to regenerate damaged tissue and form functional scars. Initial studies show promising results in using mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue to treat severe skin damage.
The development of specific antidotes for common corrosive substances is also the subject of current research. In the future, these could improve initial treatment and limit the extent of tissue damage by neutralizing corrosive substances without causing further harm.
The increasing digitalization in veterinary medicine is leading to the development of apps and online resources that can help pet owners recognize emergency situations such as chemical burns more quickly and act correctly, which could improve the prognosis for affected animals.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What is the difference between an acid burn and an alkali burn in pets?
Acid burns cause coagulation necrosis with hardened tissue, often limiting their own penetration depth. Alkali burns lead to colliquative necrosis with liquefaction of the tissue, penetrate deeper, and usually cause more severe damage. - How long should I rinse the affected area on my pet if it has come into contact with a corrosive substance?
The affected area should be rinsed continuously with lukewarm water for at least 15-20 minutes to dilute and remove the corrosive substance. - Can I apply neutralizing substances myself in case of a chemical burn?
Self-application of neutralizing substances is not recommended, as the neutralization reaction can release heat and cause additional damage. Rinsing with plenty of water is the safest first measure. - Which pets are particularly at risk for chemical burns?
Cats are particularly at risk due to their pronounced grooming behavior, as they can lick corrosive substances off their fur and thus additionally ingest them orally. Young, curious animals of both species also have an increased risk. - How do I recognize whether a chemical burn on my pet is deep or superficial?
The exact assessment of the burn depth should be done by a veterinarian. Signs of deeper burns can include whitish to grayish discoloration, lack of pain sensitivity in the affected region, or visible deeper layers of tissue. - How long does it take for a chemical burn to heal in dogs and cats?
Healing time varies depending on the severity. Superficial burns can heal within 1-2 weeks, while deeper burns may require several weeks to months for complete healing. - Which household products are particularly dangerous for pets in terms of chemical burns?
Particularly dangerous are concentrated cleaning agents such as drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, descalers, oven cleaners, battery acid, pool chemicals, and alkaline building materials such as cement or lime. - Can a chemical burn in my pet have long-term consequences?
Yes, severe burns can lead to permanent hair loss, pigment changes, scarring, and reduced skin elasticity. In particularly sensitive areas such as the face or paws, functional limitations may also remain. - How can I prevent chemical burns in my pets?
Store corrosive substances in closed cabinets inaccessible to animals. Use pet-friendly alternatives to aggressive cleaning agents when possible. Make sure animals do not have access to freshly cleaned or treated surfaces until they are completely dry. - When is surgery necessary for a chemical burn?
Surgery may be necessary for deep or large-area burns when necrotic tissue needs to be removed (debridement) or when the wound cannot be closed by conservative measures and skin grafts are required.
Literature
- Noli, C. Scarampella, F.: Practical Dermatology in Dogs and Cats. Schlütersche Verlag, 2013
- Ziegenfuß, T.: Emergency Medicine. Springer, Heidelberg 2011
- Löwe, G. and Löwe, O. (2021). Emergencies in Dogs and Cats – A Veterinary Guide. Kynos-Verlag. 208 p.
- Davidson JR. Current concepts in wound management and wound healing products. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2021;51(3):641-663.
- Schmid M, Reichert-Penetrat S, Kanitakis J. Chemical burns: pathophysiology and treatment. Burns. 2018;44(7):1663-1674.