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cat poisoning symptoms

August 16th, 2008 | by admin |

cats are more particular than dogs about what they eat. Nevertheless, they do sometimes scavenge and come into contact with carrion (rotting flesh or meat), decomposing foods, animal manure, and other noxious substances. cats are more sensitive than dogs to food poisoning and exhibit effects at lower levels of exposure. This is partly due to their smaller size and the lack of the liver enzyme glucuronyl transferase.

cats, by nature, are curious and have a tendency to explore out-of-the-way places such as wood piles, weed thickets, and storage areas. They also hunt small animals, often chasing them into confined spaces. These environments put cats into contact with insects, dead animals, and toxic plants.

Animal baits are palatable poisons that encourage ingestion. This makes them an obvious choice for intentional poisoning. cats may also be unintentionally poisoned by these products if they eat a rodent who has ingested poisoned bait. (Remember that even indoor cats may hunt and kill small prey animals—rodents, insects, or small reptiles.)

Along with food poisoning from spoiled foods, cats lack the enzymes to properly digest some foods. Two of these are onions and garlic. cats can be exposed to onion from the onion powder in some baby foods or by chewing on Allium species plants. Garlic may be a component of some natural flea repellant products. Signs are intestinal upset and possibly anemia as toxins build up that destroy red blood cells. Treatment may include antioxidants, oxygen therapy, and even blood transfusions for severe cases.

Chocolate and coffee can be toxic to cats, due to the stimulants they contain-theobromine and caffeine, respectively. Signs include excitability, weakness, rapid breathing, and even death. Induce vomiting for treatment and activated charcoal may also be helpful. The cat may need fluid therapy at a veterinary clinic to flush the system.

Grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts are all foods that have been found to be toxic in dogs. It can be assumed they are not good for cats, although luckily, cats seem to avoid these products. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free baked goods and gums, is another food that is toxic to dogs and can be assumed to be toxic in cats.

With some types of vegetation, only certain parts of the plant are toxic. With others, the whole plant is poisonous. Ingestion causes a wide range of symptoms. They include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, seizures, coma, and death. Other plant substances cause skin rash.

In cats, signs of hypercalcemia appear 18 to 36 hours after ingesting the poison. The signs include thirst and frequent urination, vomiting, generalized weakness, muscle twitching, seizures, and, finally, death. Among survivors, the effects of an elevated serum calcium may persist for weeks.

If you suspect your cat has ingested one of these poisons within the past four hours, induce vomiting and notify your veterinarian. Veterinary treatment involves correcting the fluid and electrolyte imbalances and lowering calcium levels using diuretics, prednisone, oral phosphorus binders, and a low-calcium prescription diet.

The usual cat poisoning symptoms are vomiting or diarrhea. Unfortunately, not all symptoms become immediately apparent. Our neighbor’s pet rabbit living in the basement got into rat poison. There weren’t any apparent affects for a couple of weeks. Then she stopped moving, eating and finally died. Her kidney functions were destroyed.

In most cases of cat poisoning, getting your pet to the vet is the most important thing that you can do. However, if the vet is far away, it may be a good idea to get your cat to vomit. However, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA poison center first to confirm your next steps.

To induce vomiting, give hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight. If your pet does not vomit in 10 minutes, repeat again. NEVER do more than two treatments of peroxide.

However, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if your cat has:

1.been in contact with the poison for 2 hours or more

2.consumed something caustic (such as drain cleaner or bleach)

3.has already vomited

4.is unconscious

5.has swallowed acid or alkali product, cleaning solution or petroleum product

6.has swallowed an object

7.is having seizures (convulsions)

Generally, if you notice your cat vomiting, having diarrhea, loss of appetite, swelling of the tongue or other mouth tissues, staggering, seizures or excessive salivation, your cat may be poisoned. If you suspect she has inhaled, absorbed or otherwise ingested something toxic DO NOT WAIT for cat poisoning symptoms to appear.

If your pet is showing cat poisoning symptoms, it is important that she is examined by your veterinarian and treated appropriately. Some toxins can progress and lead to severe seizures. If you suspect antifreeze poisoning she must be treated within 4-6 hours or she will experience irreversible kidney damage is done.

Effective treatment depends on immediate treatment and knowing what the substance is — so bring it with you. Take samples of diarrhea or vomit too. If you can’t take the suspected substance, write down the contents, manufacturer and any phone numbers.