TL;DR: Mothball ingestion is a life-threatening veterinary emergency that requires immediate medical attention; identifying the specific chemical ingredient via product packaging is critical for proper treatment.
What are mothballs and why are they dangerous to my pet?
Mothballs are small balls of chemical pesticides and deodorants used to protect clothing from moth larvae. They typically consist of nearly 100% active ingredient, usually either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. These chemicals are highly concentrated and can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or most dangerously, ingested by curious pets.
Is it a veterinary emergency if my pet eats a mothball?
- Urgency Level: High. Yes, ingestion of any amount of mothballs is a veterinary emergency.
- Naphthalene is particularly toxic and can cause the destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia and kidney damage.
- Paradichlorobenzene can affect the central nervous system and the liver.
- Symptoms such as vomiting, a strong chemical smell on the breath, lethargy, tremors, or pale gums require immediate medical intervention to prevent long-term organ damage or death.
How does providing a photo of the packaging help with veterinary triage?
- If possible, safely take a photo of the product packaging or a remaining mothball to show your veterinarian.
- Identifying whether the active ingredient is naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene is critical, as these chemicals require different monitoring protocols and treatments.
- A photo of the brand name and ingredient list allows the triage team to quickly calculate the toxic dose.
- Having this information allows the medical team to begin life-saving treatment without delay.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In cases of mothball ingestion, emesis can be induced in dogs using apomorphine (0.03 mg/kg IV or 0.04 mg/kg IM) or xylazine (0.5-1 mg/kg IV or IM). If emesis is unsuccessful, gastric lavage with tepid water should be performed, ensuring animals already experiencing seizures are anesthetized and intubated beforehand. Following emesis or lavage, administer activated charcoal at 2-3 g/kg in small animals and 0.5-1 g/kg in large animals, along with a cathartic such as magnesium sulfate (250 mg/kg PO) or sorbitol (1-3 ml/kg PO). Seizures can be controlled with pentobarbital IV to effect, repeated as needed, or methocarbamol (100-200 mg/kg IV, maximum dose 330 mg/kg/day). Supportive therapy for shock, liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, and acidosis are important. Monitor for laboratory changes including hypoglycemia, increased serum liver enzymes, chloride, and phosphorus; proteinuria, hematuria, and urinary casts may indicate kidney damage.
Chapter: Toxicology, Emergency, Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 3171)