Malpractice in Treating Pet Wounds With Naphthalene

We are publishing this to open the eyes of many unskilled/ untrained carers of stray cats and dogs who rampantly use Naphthalene Powder to heal open wounds in animals that may be infested with maggots and smelling very badly. They do this without realizing that this chemical is never used to treat humans. So, how can it be used on creatures who cannot speak? They do this thinking that naphthalene will keep away insects and remove bad odours the way it works inside closed cupboards of woolen garments. Please read on to see how dangerous this is for animals.

Sprinkling naphthalene powder on a dog’s festering wound is very dangerous and can cause severe harm.

Here’s why:

A) Toxicity – Naphthalene is highly poisonous to dogs (and cats). Even small amounts absorbed through skin, inhaled, or ingested can cause:

1. Severe skin irritation and chemical burns
2. Vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain
3. Lethargy, tremors, seizures
4. Red blood cell destruction (hemolytic anemia) → weakness, pale gums, rapid heartbeat
5. Potential liver and kidney damage
6. Wound absorption: On an open, festering wound, naphthalene can be absorbed into the bloodstream much faster, greatly increasing poisoning risk.
7. Delayed but serious effects: Symptoms might appear within hours, but organ damage can continue over days.

B) No therapeutic benefit: It has no disinfecting or healing properties for wounds; instead, it worsens tissue damage and delays healing.