Rising Bread Dough

Ingestion of rising bread dough can be life-threatening to dogs. The animal's body heat will cause the dough to rise in the stomach. Ethanol is produced during the rising process; and, the dough may expand several times its original size. Signs seen with bread dough ingestion are associated with ethanol toxicoses and foreign body obstruction may include severe abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, incoordination, and depression.⁹

Treatment in cases of recent ingestion in asymptomatic dogs, involves inducing emesis. Analgesia is important in patients exhibiting signs of pain. Administering cool water via a stomach tube or PO may halt the rising process.⁹ In some cases, dough removal may necessitate surgery. Since ethanol can cause an acidosis, it is important to monitor the acid base balance and correct with sodium bicarbonate if indicated.⁹