Camphor Topical Poisoning in Dogs

Skin

Your pet may be exposed to camphor if he comes into contact with a product like Tiger Balm. There is also the chance of an adverse reaction to a veterinary prescribed ointment for muscle pain containing camphor (particularly if your canine is of the sporting breed and you utilize a liniment for muscle stiffness). Overuse of the liniment can also result in skin irritation.

• Redness of skin
• The eyes may be irritated also due to the fumes
• Pawing at skin
• Licking at area where applied

Ingestion

If your dog came into contact with the camphor topical ointment and it remains on his skin or fur, chances are he will ingest this toxic substance as he attempts to remove it from the skin. In addition, though camphor is not known to be palatable to dogs, curiosity may win over and your canine could ingest a dangerous amount as he chews on a bottle or tube of ointment or cream containing it.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Irritation of mucus membranes
• Burning of throat and mouth
• Depression

Most cases of camphor topical poisoning will be of mild toxicity simply due to the fact that exposure of this product is not common; however, if your dog does consume an entire container of Tiger Balm or licks a large amount of topical ointment from his body, symptoms can be as serious as seizure, central nervous system depression, and risk of aspiration or pneumonia (all which can lead to death).

Types

Some of the topical products containing camphor are listed here.

• Corona Veterinary Ointment
• Vicks Vapor Rub
• Carmex
• Tiger Balm
• Campho-Phenique

If you witness your pet chewing on a container of topical ointment containing camphor, try to retrieve the packaging so you can bring it with you to the clinic. Immediate care is recommended because of the rapid absorption and the risk of serious symptoms that can lead to consequences, like aspiration of the ointment.

The veterinarian will do a physical examination which could show that there are signs of respiratory difficulty or irritation and burning of the mucus membranes. Other clinical signs, including vomiting and an odor of camphor on the breath can verify the poisoning. Depending on the severity of your pet’s case, the veterinarian may want to admit your pet for treatment right away, before doing a urinalysis or ordering blood work.

There is no antidote for camphor topical poisoning; measures are put in place to remove the substance from the body and to provide supportive care. A mild case will require a checkup to ensure no lasting damage has occurred and to provide medication if needed for mucus membrane or gastrointestinal irritation. In severe cases, hospitalization will be needed so the supportive care can begin.

Gastric Lavage

Vomiting is not typically induced due to the high risk of aspiration of the camphor containing product. The veterinarian may perform gastric lavage to flush out the stomach contents but this will depend on the time of ingestion and the condition of your pet.

Active Charcoal

The administration of active charcoal is decided case by case depending on symptoms and the amount ingested.

Medication

Medication to control seizures will be given if needed.

Monitoring

Vital signs, respiration, and organ function (such as kidneys) will be constant as the veterinary team stabilizes your pet.