TL;DR: Mothball ingestion is a life-threatening emergency for dogs that requires immediate veterinary care to prevent organ failure and neurological damage. Identifying whether the product contains naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene is critical for effective treatment.
What are mothballs and why are they dangerous for my pet?
- Mothballs are small, concentrated pesticide balls used to protect clothing from moth larvae.
- They are typically composed of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are highly toxic.
- Pets can be poisoned through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin.
Is it a veterinary emergency if my dog eats a mothball?
- Yes, this is a high-urgency emergency; seek veterinary care immediately if even one mothball is ingested.
- Naphthalene can cause hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells) and lead to kidney or liver failure.
- Paradichlorobenzene causes severe gastrointestinal distress and neurological issues such as tremors or seizures.
- Early intervention is critical to prevent permanent organ damage or death.
Why should I take a photo of the mothball packaging for my vet?
- Take a clear photo of the brand name and ingredient list to help the vet identify the specific toxin.
- Naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene require different medical treatments, making identification vital.
- A photo of any remaining mothballs helps the clinical team estimate the toxic dose based on the size and shape of the product.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Following the ingestion of mothballs by a dog, immediate steps include inducing emesis with apomorphine at 0.03 mg/kg IV or 0.04 mg/kg IM, or xylazine if a cat, within 4 hours of ingestion if the dose of bromethalin is 0.1-0.49 mg/kg in dogs, or 0.05-0.1 mg/kg in cats. If emesis is unsuccessful or more than 4 hours have elapsed since ingestion, administer activated charcoal at 1-2 g/kg body weight, being mindful of the risk of aspiration or hypernatremia. Gastric lavage with tepid water should be performed if emesis cannot be induced; animals already seizuring should be anesthetized first with pentobarbital, and an endotracheal tube passed before gastric lavage. After emesis or gastric lavage, administer activated charcoal at 2-3 g/kg with a cathartic such as magnesium sulfate at 250 mg/kg PO or sorbitol at 1-3 ml/kg PO. Seizures can be controlled with pentobarbital IV to effect, repeated as necessary, or muscle relaxants such as methocarbamol at 100-200 mg/kg IV, repeated as needed to a maximum dose of 330 mg/kg/day. There is no specific antidote for coal-tar product poisoning, but owners may reduce acute exposure by administration of egg whites to dilute and bind the phenols.
Chapter: Toxicology, Emergency, Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 3171)