Paintballs are very attractive to animals and they will readily consume them.

Clinical signs can occur shortly after ingestion.

Treatment involves supportive care which will help stabilize the abnormal electrolyte and fluid balance.

Paintball toxicosis can be potentially fatal, however most animals will recover within a 24-48 hours period (if supportive treatment has been implemented). 

What is paintball toxicity?

• Paintball are made up of polyethylene or dipropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, mineral oil, dye, water and ground pig skin. 
• Paintballs are very attractive to animals and they will readily consume them.
• Little is known about the mechanism of action and the lethal dose of paintballs.
• It has been suggested that paintballs are an osmotic diuretic and will cause acidic pH in the bloodstream.  This means that the chemicals within paintballs will pull water from all parts of the body into the gastrointestinal tract resulting in an increase in sodium in the bloodstream.  Osmotic movement of water out of the brain and increased sodium will results in neurological signs. 
• Please note that contents of paintballs are not toxic to humans (as indicated on the label) with skin contact; they are not intended to be consumed by people or animals.       

Clinical signs

• Clinical signs can occur shortly after ingestion.
• Vomiting and diarrhea (with or without paint)
• Weakness
• Blindness
• Elevated heart rate
• Fever or hypothermic
• Seizure
• Coma
• Death

Diagnosis

• History of ingestion of paintballs
• Clinical signs (especially the presence of paint from the vomitus or fecal matter)
• Laboratory tests: Electrolyte abnormalities which include hypernatremia (increased sodium) and blood gas abnormalities (metabolic acidosis)

Treatment

• The patient will require hospitalization for a minimum of 24 hours or longer.
• If presented within one hour of exposure, vomiting should be induced or gastric lavage should be preformed.
• After the first hour of ingestion warm-water enemas may help to stimulate movement of the paintballs through the gastrointestinal tract.
• Supportive treatment:
  • Intravenous fluids
  • Nutritional supplementation
  • Anti-nausea medications
  • Anti-seizure medications
  • Temperature regulation
  • Blood gas and electrolytes will need to be monitored every 2-4 hours until clinical signs resolve and electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities normalize.

Prognosis

• Paintball toxicosis can be potentially fatal however most animals will recover within a 24-48 hours period (if supportive treatment has been implemented).