Napthalene

Question 1

When is napthalene produced?

Answer 1

During combustion processes

-cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and forest fire smoke

Question 2

What is an example of Naphthalene pesticide?

Answer 2

Mothballs

Question 3

What function do mothballs serve?

Answer 3

Slow release of gas vapor repels and kills moths (and their larvae) and other insects

Question 4

What type of molecule is Napthalene (old version of mothballs)?

Answer 4

Organic aromatic hydrocarbon

Question 5

What type of mothball is paradichlorobenzene (new version of mothballs)?

Answer 5

Organochlorine

Question 6

Give two facts about dogs and cats in relation to Napthalene.

Answer 6

Cats are more sensitive

Dogs are more likely to ingest

Question 7

True or False. A single naphthalene mothball can be highly nontoxic.

Answer 7

False- these are extremely toxic

Question 8

What it true about acids and bases in relation to stomach absorption?

Acids delay/enhance stomach absorption
Bases delay/enhance stomach absorption

Answer 8

Delay; enhance

Question 9

Upon absorption, where does Napthalene enter next?

Answer 9

The bloodstream

-rapid distribution between circulation and adipose tissue

Question 10

True or False. Naphthalene is metabolized in the liver by hepatic enzymes (CYP450).

Answer 10

True

Question 11

After the naphthalene is metabolized in the liver, it forms what?

Answer 11

Epoxides and this could lead to cellular damage

Question 12

What is the MOA for naphthalene?

Answer 12

Oxidative metabolites (ex: oxides) in the circulation can cause hemolysis and methemoglobinemia 
-effect is usually cellular/tissue hypoxia

Question 13

What are some of the clinical signs of naphthalene toxicity?

Answer 13

Can be delayed
Salivation
Vomiting 
Mothball scented breath 
Pale or brown gums
Methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria 
Weakness or lethargy
Labored breathing 
Tremors, seizures
Cataracts- neonates

Question 14

How do you diagnose naphthalene toxicity?

Answer 14

Hematologic changes - epoxides in blood

-hemolysis, Heinz bodies, methemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria

Question 15

What is the treatment for this?

Answer 15

Decontaminate
Seizures controlled by diazepam
Ascorbic acid
METHYLENE BLUE 1%- acts rapidly and works through its conversion to leucomethylene blue
-leucomethylene blue acts as a reducing agent at low doses reduces methemoglobin and hemoglobin
-methylene blue is an oxidizing agent at high doses and can potentially increase methemoglobinemia

Question 16

What is the prognosis?

Answer 16

Good for pets who are treated promptly and those who have no pre-existing liver or kidney dz