Pets left in laundry rooms (most often puppies) who are exposed to laundry detergent packs are at risk of ingestion. The greatest concern is aspiration pneumonia-- which can be fatal. The pet may develop gastrointestinal issues. They should be monitored closely for the onset of signs of respiratory distress in such conditions. This is critical for the first twelve to fourteen hours, and if pneumonia is suspected, the pet should be seen promptly at a veterinary clinic. Signs of concern include vomiting, wheezing, or bubbles coming out of the nose.

The treatment to stop vomiting may involve an antiemetic. Some pets require a gastrointestinal tract protectant since detergent is very irritating to the GI tract.

When there is wheezing, radiographs are advised to check for aspiration pneumonia. Bronchodilators may also be used, and some pets benefit from the use of oxygen and antibiotics as well.

Source: www.aspca.org