Major Medical Coverage For Cats & Dogs

Talk To The Vet
Vet Info >
Vet Finder
FAQ Vet Career
Vet Schools
Consultations
Pet Health >
Articles
Pet Medicines
Vet Notes
Pet Supplies >
Pet Supplies
Pet Magazines
Pet Coupons
Pet News >
Today's News
VetMed Update
Newsletter
Pet, Dog & Cat Breeds information >
Dogs
Cats
Pet Community >
Kid Spot
Pet Names
Pet Name Game
Pet Freebies
Pet Videos


10 Common Causes of Poisoning in Cats

PRODUCTSYMPTOMSTREATMENT
Dog Permethrin Insecticides
The topical application of spot on products labeled for dogs
These products contain 47-68% permethrin in spot-ons and 4% or more in dips. They are either applied accidentally or by individuals who ignore the warning labels.
Leads to tremors and seizures in cats.Wipe excess off with damp cloth.

See a veterinarian
Other Topical Insecticides
Insect Growth regulator like methoprene.
Irritation, sores on contact area, vomiting.If the irritation is localized wash the affected area, apply some Vitamin E ointment or cortisone cream.

See a veterinarian if symptoms spread or worsen.
Venlafaxine
An antidepressant available in tablets and capsules of 25,50,75,100,and 150mg.
Cats seems to readily eat the capsule form causing vomiting, eye incoordination.Induce vomiting, give activated charcoal every 4-6 hours.

Veterinarian will monitor the heart and blood pressure. Common treatment: Cyproheptadine 3-4 times a day as an antagonist. Acepromazine can be used for agitation.
Glow jewelry and sticks
Plastic bracelets, necklaces, wands... that contain liquid that glow in the dark. The main ingredient is dibutyl phtalate. It has a wide margin of safety and should not cause any serious effects unless part of the casing was ingested causing an obstruction.
Almost immediately after biting hypersalivation occurs as a reaction to the bitter taste.A tasty treat like milk, food could alleviate the signs.

See veterinarian if vomiting persists.(possible obstruction)
Lilies
Easter lilies, Stargazer, Tiger, Asiatic, Oriental and day lilies can cause signs if any part is ingested and must be treated aggressively.
Cats ingesting this plant can develop acute renal failure. Vomiting and depression occurs in 3-4 hours with rapid deterioration in 23-74 hours after ingestion.Induce vomiting, give activated charcoal.

See a veterinarian immediately. Treatment is by decontamination, start fluid diuresis as soon as possible. With aggressive treatment the prognosis is good. Once renal failure develops the prognosis is often poor.
Liquid Potpourri
Contains high concentration of cationic detergent, essential oils, or both.
Cationic detergent can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, drooling, nervous system depression, low blood pressure. Dermal irritation, corneal ulceration if skin and eye are exposed.Do not induce vomiting, give milk

See your veterinarian
Common Treatment: Liquid emmollients (milk, Sucralfate) to coat the GI tract. Pain management if needed, Fluid for hydration, antibiotics if needed. Prognosis is good if there are no esophageal damage.
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs
(NSAIDS)
Can cause gastrointestinal upset like vomiting, diarrhea, ulceration, hemorrhage.Acute renal failure can occur at higher dosages. In general cats have a very low tolerance for NSAIDs.Give activated charcoal.

See a veterinarian
Treatment consist of gastric decontamination, repeated dose of activated charcoal, H2 blockers like ranitidine, sucralfate, monitor renal function.
Acetaminophen
Very narrow margin of safety in cats. One adult tablet could be lethal.
Clinical signs are depression, vomiting, dyspnea, brown discoloration of the mucous membrane, anemia, respiratory distress, swelling of face and paws, and hepatic necrosis (couple of days).Give activated charcoal.

See a veterinarian immediately
Treatment consist of emesis, activated charcoal. Oxygen therapy ,blood transfusion, N-acetylcysteine on a drip, fluid therapy, H2blockers, Ascorbic acid. Prognosis is fair to guarded.
Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Rat poisons.
Signs generally appear 3-8 days after ingestion. Bleeding may occur in any location or it could be nonspecific like weakness, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. Diagnosis is by measuring the bloods PT time (prothrombin time).Give activated charcoal if exposure is within 4 hours.

See a veterinarian immediately
If performed after 2-4 hours post exposure, emesis and activated charcoal is usually effective.
Treatment after 4 hours of exposure point, Vitamin K for 14-30 days is antidotal. Prognosis is guarded once the cat starts bleeding.
Amphetamines
Appetite suppressants, attention deficit disorders, and narcolepsy and illicit are all indications for its use.
Clinical signs areagitation, tremors, increase in temperature, hypertension, cardiac arrhytmias, coma.See a veterinarian
Treatment include gastric decontamination, monitor heart and nervous system. Acepromazine for hypertension, barbiturates for seizures, Cyproheptadine for the nervous system, heart should be treated symptomatically.



CLICK HERE for more Feline Articles

CLICK HERE for more Pet Health Articles

CLICK HERE to see TalkToTheVet's BEST DOGS-YOURS






Home : Consult Plans : Vet Finder : FAQ Vet Career : Vet Notes
PET MARKET : Pet Medicines : Free Pet Stuff : Pet Magazines : Pet Care Articles
Kids Spot : Coloring Pages : Pet Names : Pet News : Pet Videos : Newsletter