Poison

+ What are common poisons?

When walking around the house it is amazing how many items that we take for granted can be poisonous for our cats. Whilst cats tend to be much more fussy that dogs, and thus less likely to eat anything suspect, some poisons need only be in contact with our cats to elicit their poisonous effects.

Symptoms of poisoning can range from vomiting and diarrhoea, to sudden onset breathing challenges and collapse. In all instances where poisoning is suspected to have occurred it is much better to contact us and we can guide more appropriately.

The following list is not comprehensive as there are many items than can poison cats, however an awareness of common items that can cause poisoning should be known. Such common items include:

• Paracetamol
• Lilies
• Antifreeze (specifically the ingredient Ethylene glycol)
• Permethrin-based flea treatments, often used on dogs
• Rock salt from de-iced roads
• Chocolate
• Household cleaners
• Sago palm
• Tobacco
• Many human drugs
• Moulds in old food or nuts

+ My pet has ingested a poison. What should I do?

In all instances of suspected poisoning it is best to bring in your cat and be examined.

+ How can it be treated?

Treatment is varied dependent on the type of poison. In many cases (but not all), if the poison had been eaten within the previous hour we will look to make your cat vomit up what may be left of the poisoning item immediately. Fluid therapy to help protect vital internal organs is critical to prevent the impact of any poison that has been absorbed and we will likely administer activated charcoal to mop up any poison that has made it into the intestine but not yet been absorbed. Beyond the basic approach, other medication and tests may need to be done to understand what is going on give the most information to help us direct treatment as required.

Poison has different effects depending on the amount taken, the route it was taken and your cat’s own body reaction. Some patients only remain for a day whilst other may require referral to a specialist for intensive care.

In all instances of suspected poisoning it is best to bring in your cat and be examined.

+ What will happen to my pet?

Poison has different effects depending on the poison itself, the amount taken, the route it was taken. Once the initail phase of treatment and stabilisation of your cat has occured, checking the function and integrity of their organs is important. This is commonly done through serial blood tests, but could involve ultrasound scans or X-rays to further explore changes that may have occured.