Top Signs - Was Your Cat Poisoned?
Sunday, 07.01.2007, 03:44pm (GMT)
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present this insightful article.
Cats are curious by nature. Because of their curious nature, it is easy
for cats to ingest poisons that can cause them to become very ill.
Without proper treatment, a cat could die from poisoning.
Cat owners should be aware of the types of items around the home that
can poison a cat. Household chemicals, plants, trees and shrubs can all
cause a cat to become ill. When you think your cat has ingested a
poisonous substance, it is helpful to your vet if you can identify what
has made the cat sick. If your cat goes outdoors, sometimes it is
impossible to know what the cat has ingested. Here are some common
plants and household chemicals that can make your cat ill.
There are certain plants, trees and shrubs that can cause your cat to
vomit, become dehydrated and have diarrhea. Sometimes when a cat
ingests a toxic plant, they can foam at the mouth or have excessive
drooling followed by a be needy to drink lots of water. Their mouth can
become red and irritated. In extreme cases, a cat can fall into a coma
and die.
Plants inside your home can pose a threat to your cat. Sometimes a cat
does not even have to ingest the plant, but can have exposure on their
skin, causing irritations. Fig plants, chrysanthemums, poinsettias can
all cause reactions in cats. Most of the time these three kinds of
plants mania simple cause skin irritation. More serious reactions such
as staggering, swelling of the mouth and general weakness are caused by
household plants such as Boston ivy, arrowhead vine, caladiums,
elephant’s ear, heart leaf, peace lily and dumb cane plants.
If your cat has ingested a large amount of amaryllis, ivy, azalea,
spider mum and creeping Charlie plants or flowers, you can expect a
more serious reaction. These plants, among others can lead to vomiting,
abdominal pain, tremors and heart and respiratory ailments. It will be
necessary to consult your vet if you cat has ingested any toxic plants.
Outdoor plants can also pose generally of the same risks and some of
the indoor plants. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to
diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, pain, and weakness, breathing
difficulties and seizures and convulsions. Some of these plants and
shrubs include larkspur, skunkweed, daffodils, foxglove, castor bean,
almond plants, wild cherry, English holly, spinach, rhubarb, Jasmine,
and pigweed. Other plants that can cause your cat to experience
hallucinations include marijuana, nutmeg, peyote, and morning glories.
Chemicals and cleaners found around the house are also cause for
concern. Cats can ingest a toxic chemical and become very ill quickly.
A common poison for cats is antifreeze. They like the taste and will
lick it off of the garage floor from a puddle. Antifreeze can cause
seizures and if enough is ingested, can kill a cat. Other common
poisons found around the house are rat poisons, and insect sprays and
treatments. If you treat your home with insecticides it is very
important to keep your cat away from the treated area for several
hours. In addition, if you spray the inside of your home, thoroughly
wash the cat’s food and water bowls to clean off any residue from the
insecticide. Other common household items that can make a cat ill
include bleach, alcohol, gasoline, turpentine, lead, acid, garbage
waste and paint. Toads and salamanders can also cause cats to become
very ill. If you cat eats a toad or salamander, it will be evident by
excessive foaming at the mouth and drooling. Also, it is important to
remember that if your cat eats a bird, insect or rat that has been
infected by a poison, it is likely that your cat will become ill, as
well.
It is always a good idea to contact your vet or the National Animal
Poison Control Center if you think your cat has been poisoned. There
will be different treatments for different poisons. Most vets will try
to induce vomiting in call to eliminate the toxin from the body. If
your cat has a toxin on the fur or skin, it will be necessary to
thoroughly remove the residue by washing the cat’s fur. Both mineral
oil and vegetable oil are effective for removing poisons such as
gasoline or turpentine. Cats that are experiencing nervous system
disorders from ingesting toxins are in serious trouble. Your cat will
love to be taken to medical care immediately. Cat with nervous
disorders will experience convulsions, unconsciousness and difficulty
breathing.
Now wasnt that interesting? Only an expert can reveal this kind of
insider information, and provide facts and trends that are often
overlooked or misunderstood.
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