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They’re lurking.
In your garden. On your night stand.
In your kitchen. In your closet. In your medicine cabinet.
Substances potentially toxic to your
cat are everywhere.
Cats may be sensitive to some toxic
agents simply because of their unique metabolism. Cats can also jump to
high places and encounter materials that are assumed to be out of
reach. Cats are more discreet about what they put in their mouths, and
are less likely than dogs to ingest a toxin simply out of curiosity.
Even the most discreet cat, however, can be poisoned unintentionally by
well-meaning owners who are unaware of the dangers of over-the-counter
medications and insecticides. In addition, because of their grooming
behavior, cats that experience dermal exposure to toxins are likely to
receive an oral dose as well.
In this article, you’ll be presented
with a potpourri of tabby toxins, some fairly common, some a bit
surprising. Speaking of potpourri…
Liquid potpourris are popular household
items, especially during the holidays. They’re found in most common
retail stores. Potpourri solutions are simmered in pots that are
heated, usually by a candle, or electric heat. As the water containing
the liquid potpourri heats up, fragrance is released. The fragrance is
pretty harmless to cats, but the water containing the potpourri is not.
Liquid potpourris may contain cationic detergents and essential oils,
both of which are toxic to cats. Cats may be exposed to these toxins by
ingesting the liquid potpourri right from the simmer pot, or lap it up
from a spill. They may also be exposed if a container with the liquid
potpourri is spilled on the cat’s fur and is then ingested when they
groom.
Essential oils are extracted from
plants. They are volatile, and are used in many products, from perfumes
to herbal headache remedies. They are easily absorbed through mucous
membranes, and usually through skin as well. They can cause irritation
of the mucous membranes and gastrointestinal system. Of more concern is
the cationic detergent component of the potpourri. Cationic detergents
are often used as fabric softeners, germicides, and sanitizers. Skin,
when exposed to cationic detergents, may become red, swollen, ulcerated
and painful. Ocular exposure can lead to severe corneal injury. Oral
ingestion can cause terrible inflammation of the mouth, tongue and
esophagus. The degree of injury depends on how concentrated the cationic
detergent is, and how much contact the body has had with it. The
concentration of the detergent in liquid potpourri varies with the
brand. Treatment of liquid potpourri exposure differs depending on
whether the exposure was dermal, ocular, or oral, and may involve
several days of hospitalization and considerable expense.
Glow sticks and glow jewelry
(bracelets, necklaces) are plastic items that contain a liquid that
glows in the dark. They are frequently purchased at fairs, festivals,
and summertime events. Cats frequently bite into the jewelry when
playing with it. The main ingredient in these items is dibutyl
phthalate. Although the chemical may have the potential to cause death
via respiratory paralysis, the jewelry usually has only a small amount
of the chemical, and ingesting the contents of a piece of glow jewelry
should not cause any serious effects. The chemical has an extremely
unpleasant taste, and most cats barely ingest any more than a tiny
amount. Immediately after biting into a piece of glow jewelry, cats will
show a strong reaction such as profuse drooling and agitation. Some may
vomit. The signs of exposure are often very alarming to pet owners,
however, the response usually lasts only a few minutes, and occurs only
as a response to the repulsive taste of the liquid. The only treatment
necessary is diluting the taste of the chemical with milk, tuna juice or
canned cat food. To avoid further ingestion from any of the product that
may have gotten on the hair coat, a mild soap and water can be used to
wash it off. Unsure if any spilled on the hair coat? Take the cat into
a darkened room!
Molluscicides are products used to kill
snails and slugs. The active ingredient is metaldehyde, and it is toxic
to cats. Slug and snail baits are usually formulated as blue or green
colored pellets, powder, granules or liquid. They generally contain 3%
metaldehyde.
Metaldehyde toxicity causes
neurological symptoms fairly rapidly – usually within 1 to 4 hours of
exposure. Cats may show panting, excitement, anxiety, disorientation,
drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme sensitivity to touch and sound,
incoordination, and muscle tremors that can progress to outright
seizures. Repeated seizures due to metaldehyde poisoning can cause
dangerously high body temperatures. If untreated, the neurological
symptoms of metaldehyde toxicity can be fatal. Cat owners who suspect
that their cat might have ingested slug or snail bait should alert their
veterinarian to this possibility immediately, as the signs of
metaldehyde poisoning mimics symptoms of other poisonings and/or
neurological disorders. Bringing remnants of packages or containers for
identification of the ingredients in the poison is very helpful. Knowing
that the cat might have been exposed to metaldehyde reduces the need for
extensive diagnostic tests and allows more rapid, specific treatment.
Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, and may include intravenous
fluid therapy, induction of vomiting, pumping the stomach, cool water
baths to lower the body temperature if hyperthermia secondary to muscle
tremors or seizures has occurred, and anti-anxiety and/or anticonvulsant
drugs.
Toxic substances are found everywhere
in our environment, and cats may fall victim to them via intentional
administration by a well-meaning owner, or by stumbling upon them as a
result of their inquisitive nature. Prevention is key when it comes to
safeguarding your cat. Keep all potential poisons safely locked away,
and keep cats indoors if possible.
Sidebar: The ten most
common toxins in cats
In the past four years, these are the top ten most
frequent feline exposures reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center
1. Canine permethrin insecticides –
accidentally applying (or deliberately ignoring the warnings on the
label) of insecticides containing permethrin can be dangerous, or even
deadly. In some instances, cats can be poisoned simply by sleeping near
or grooming a dog recently treated with a topical permethrin product.
2. Other topical insecticides – in general,
topical application of flea control products, if done according to label
directions, will not cause systemic effects in cats. Dermal irritation
or a dermal hypersensitivity reaction, however, is a common complaint
received by poison control centers. Cats that lick a topical applied
product may experience a taste reaction (drooling, vomiting, agitation)
that can be quite dramatic in some cases. Fortunately, the ingredients
in most of these products have low oral and dermal toxic potential.
3. Venlafaxine – this is an antidepressant
known by the brand name Effexor or Effexor XR (Wyeth). It comes in
tablets and capsules of varying strength. Cats seem to like the taste of
the capsules. Signs of toxicosis may include dilated pupils, rapid
breathing and heart rate, agitation and incoordination, beginning one to
eight hours after ingestion. Hospitalization and symptomatic therapy is
required for most cats. Generally, the prognosis is good.
4. Glow jewelry and sticks – see article
5. Lilies – ingestion of lilies can cause
acute renal failure in cats. Many plants are called “lilies”, however
renal failure has been seen only with Easter lilies, Stargazer lilies,
tiger lilies, Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies, and day lilies. All
parts of the plant are toxic. Prompt, aggressive treatment is necessary
for a successful outcome. Once renal failure develops, however, the
prognosis rapidly declines; some recovery may be possible, but this may
take weeks, and peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis at specialized
referral centers may be the cat’s only hope.
6. Liquid potpourri – see article
7. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) – Cats, with their unique metabolic pathways, have a low
tolerance to NSAIDs. Although deliberate ingestion of NSAIDs is possible
(especially with chewable formulations), most cases of NSAID toxicity is
due to the deliberate administration of these drugs by well-meaning cat
owners. Commonly administered NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and
naproxen. These drugs can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastric ulcers.
At higher doses, acute renal failure can occur. Treatment may include
minimizing further absorption by inducing vomiting and administering
activated charcoal. Acid reducers and gastrointestinal protectants are
given to prevent gastrointestinal ulcers. Aggressive fluid therapy is
necessary to prevent renal damage. Prognosis depends on the specific
drug, the amount ingested, and how quickly treatment was begun.
8. Acetaminophen – the main ingredient in
Tylenol, acetaminophen is frequently combined with several other drugs
in common over-the-counter cold and flu preparations, such as Nyquil.
Cats rarely ingest this drug on their own; instead, it is often
administered to cats by well-intentioned owners. Acetaminophen is a very
dangerous drug in cats. One regular (325 mg) or extra-strength (500 mg)
tablet can be lethal. Signs of poisoning may include vomiting, labored
breathing, swelling of the face and paws, and brown discoloration of the
mucous membranes. Treatment requires hospitalization and administration
of fluids and several drugs. The prognosis for acetaminophen toxicity
is guarded and is dependent on the amount ingested and how quickly
treatment was administered.
9. Anticoagulant rodenticides – these rat
and mouse poisons work by inhibiting the activity of Vitamin K. This
blocks the synthesis of important clotting factors, causing rodents to
bleed to death internally. Ingestion of these poisons by a cat can
result in a bleeding disorder. Clinical signs can vary, depending on
where bleeding occurs.The lungs are a common place for bleeding to
occur, so coughing or labored breathing may be seen. Lameness may
develop if bleeding occurs in a joint, and neurologic signs may develop
if hemorrhage occurs in the spinal cord or brain. Treatment with vitamin
K can reverse the effects of the anticoagulant. Most animals do well,
especially if treatment is begun before significant hemorrhage occurs.
If the patient is already bleeding, the prognosis becomes guarded,
although many cats recover with aggressive supportive care.
10. Amphetamines – Amphetamines are
prescribed for people for many purposes, such as appetite suppression
and attention deficit disorder. Amphetamines are also found in illegal
drugs such as methamphetamine (“crystal meth”) and MDMA (“Ecstasy”).
Amphetamines stimulate the central nervous system, and cats that are
exposed to amphetamines often show clinical signs such as tremors,
agitation, high blood pressure, fast heart rate, heart rhythm
disturbances, high body temperature, and possibly coma. Treatment is
supportive, and may include sedatives for agitation, anticonvulsants for
seizures, and beta blockers or other heart medications for cardiac
arrhythmias. In most cases, the prognosis is good with aggressive
support.
Adapted from Veterinary Medicine magazine, June
2006.
Updated 7/8/10 |
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