by Stacey Foxworthy

Created on: March 23, 2009   Last Updated: August 14, 2010

You notice that Fido or Ms. Priss just don't seem to be acting right. Earlier you had noticed them gnawing on some wooden boards or perhaps licking a black substance from their feet when they returned home from their usual jaunt outside. Now they appear lethargic, distressed, and generally unwell. It is possible your furry companion may be suffering from the effects of phenol poisoning.

Phenol poisoning in dogs and cats is a very real danger that is not highly recognized. A quick response by the pet owner could mean the difference between life and death for your faithful companion. The following article outlines the dangers of phenol poisoning and precautions that can be taken to prevent this tragedy from occurring.

WHAT IS PHENOL?

Phenol is an organic compound that can either be produced synthetically or during the distillation of coal tar. Another common term for phenol is carbolic acid.

Phenols are highly corrosive by nature. They can lead to liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, central nervous system failure, and death in a very short period of time.

WHAT ARE COAL TAR PRODUCTS USED FOR?

Coal tar products are highly utilized in the housing, construction, and medical industries. Their most common use is as a disinfectant and wood preservative. Phenols in the form of creosote are used on wood products in order to prevent various fungi and insects from destroying them. Cresols contain phenols and are used as a disinfectant.

Coal tar pitch is used as a binding product in materials such as clay pigeons, asphalt used for roadways, insulation, treated wood products, and tar paper used in roofing.

HOW DO DOGS AND CATS CONTRACT PHENOL POISONING?

Dogs and cats can contract phenol poisoning by chewing on or ingesting materials that contain adequate concentrations of phenol compounds. These include wood products treated with cresols and creosotes, clay pigeons, tar accumulated from newly laid asphalt, insulation, and tar paper used in roofing.

Phenols can also be absorbed through an animal's skin when they come into contact with housing products such as flooring that have been treated with phenol-based disinfectants. Sometimes pets will inadvertently get these substances on their feet or fur and lick them off during the natural cleaning process.

There are certain soaps that are carbolic based, various disinfectants, and coal tar or keratolytic shampoos used on pets that can lead to phenol poisoning by absorption through the skin.

Some foods and drugs contain

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