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My dog ate Merthiolate. Is this mercury-based liquid dangerous?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Bull Terrier | Male | unneutered | 8 months and 14 days old

My dog just chewed a plastic bottle of Merthiolate. The bottle is here, but he ate the liquid while chewing it. Is this liguid dangerous??

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on November 18th, 2016

Oh dear! This is definitely concerning, since Merthiolate is a mercury-based compound that can be quite toxic if ingested - mercury poisoning can be a serious issue in dogs, just like humans. This is an unusual thing for a dog to ingest, so I don't have any direct experience with it and have not been able to find much information about how much would be toxic or what to expect, so I would recommend calling the ASPCA poison control hotline for more specific advice: 888-426-4435.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM
Veterinarian
I would recommend contacting the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Helpline at 1-888-426-4435. Merthiolate contains mercury which can be highly toxic, and the experts at Animal Poison Control have access to information to determine whether or not the amount Han Solo may have ingested is toxic. If he is acting abnormal in any way I'd recommend taking him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on January 1st, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I am not sure what is going on with Chevy and what he could have eaten to make you worried about Mercury poisoning. This is rare and all I could find was this in the Merck Veterinary manual: In most species, blood, kidney, brain, and feed concentrations of mercury 6 mg/kg (blood), 10 mg/kg (kidney), 0.5 mg/kg (brain), and 4 mg/kg (feed, dry weight) are consistent with a diagnosis of mercury poisoning.

I suggest that you call the ASPCA poison control line with the amount of product eaten and Chevy's weight. They can tell you if what he ate is in the toxic range. There is a $65 fee. The number is 1-888-426-4435.

I hope this helps and I wish Chevy the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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