Furbabies
Cat Care Site
Common Poisons
Acetaminophen | Arsenic | Aspirin | Barbiturates | Benzoic Acid
Cholecalciferol | Ethylene Glycol | Lead | Metaldehyde
Methylene Blue | NSAIDs | Organophosphate | Paracetamol
Phenazopyridine | Phosphorus | Sodium Fluoroacetate (1080)
Strychnine | Warfarin | Zinc Phosphide
Several common substances found in the home may be poisonous to cats. If you suspect your cat has eaten a poisonous substance, take the cat to the vet as soon as possible. Preferably take a sample of the substance eaten, and the packaging it came in, so the vet can identify it. For explanations of the clinical signs, see the Clinical Signs page. Most fatal poisonings are caused by antifreeze (ethylene glycol) and Panadol or Tylenol (paracetamol, acetaminophen). Keep these substances well out of reach of your cat or kitten.
If your cat gets something toxic on his/her fur it will be ingested as he/she grooms. Wash all poisons immediately and thoroughly from your cat's coat.
Acetaminophen
Also known as: Paracetamol
Products: Tylenol, Panadol
Clinical signs: Anorexia, salivation, vomiting, depression, tachypnoea (tachypnea) - increased respiration rate, cyanosis, haematuria (hematuria), brown mucous membranes, facial and paw oedema (edema), haemoglobinuria (hemoglobinuria)
Diagnosis: Elevated liver enzymes, Heinz body anaemia (anemia), methaemoglobinaemia (methemoglobinemia)
Treatment: Emetic, activated charcoal and laxative, acetylcysteine or sodium sulphate, supportive IV fluids, blood transfusion if needed
Mechanism of action: Glutathione depletion and formation of toxic metabolites, haemolysis (hemolysis), coagulopathy, hepatic necrosis
Toxicity:
One 500mg tablet will produce toxic signs in cats
Toxic dose for cats is 50-60mg/kg
Arsenic
Products: Ant poisons, weed killers, insecticides, combined with metaldehyde in slug and snail baits, thermal areas, tanalized wood, sheep dip
Clinical signs: Thirst, abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea (diarrhea), hypotension, staggering, cramps, paralysis, death
Diagnosis: History, clinical signs, liver, kidney, urine, stomach contents
Treatment: Induce vomiting, sodium thiosulphate, chelation therapy
Mechanism of action: Targets organs and tissues rich in oxidative enzymes
Aspirin
Clinical signs: Depression, tachypnoea (tachypnea) - increased respiration rate, vomiting, haematemesis (hematemesis), maelena (melena)
Diagnosis: Blood levels greater than 25mg/dl, occult blood, anaemia (anemia)
Treatment: Oral antacids, cimetidine, general support
Mechanism of action: Metabolic acidosis, GI ulceration, thrombocytopathy
Barbiturates
Clinical signs: Stupor, coma, hypoventilation
Diagnosis: Toxic blood levels, history of ingestion
Treatment: Induce vomiting if conscious, IV fluids, maintain airway, alkaline diuresis
Mechanism of action: Central nervous system depression
Benzoic Acid and Benzyl Alcohol
Clinical signs: Hyperaesthesia (hyperesthesia), apprehension, aggression, convulsions
Diagnosis: Direct blood and urine determination of benzoic acid
Treatment: Supportive care
Mechanism of action: Cardiovascular, neurologic, smooth muscle, respiration are all directly affected
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
Products: Rat bait, rodenticides
Clinical signs: Lethargy, weakness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea (diarrhea), polyuria, polydipsia, constipation, dehydration, haematemesis (hematemesis), azotaemia (azotemia), bradycardia, twitching
Diagnosis: Elevated serum calcium, elevated serum phosphorus, increased BUN and creatinine
Treatment: Activated charcoal and laxative (repeated for several days), fluid therapy (saline, frusemide for diuresis), prednisone, salmon calcitonin, avoid sunlight
Mechanism of action: Positive regulator responsible for calcium homeostasis in the body, enterohepatic circulation
Ethylene Glycol
Products: Antifreeze (cats are attracted by the sweet taste)
Clinical signs:
30 mins-6 hours - dehydration, polydipsia, diuresis (increased excretion of urine)
12-24 hours - increased heart and respiratory rates
12-72 hours - vomiting, eye lesions, signs of kidney failure
Diagnosis: Anion gap metabolic acidosis, oxalate crystals in urine, BUN and creatinine elevation, hypocalcaemia (hypocalcemia)
Treatment: Emetics, activated charcoal and gastric lavage, ethanol, sodium bicarbonate
Mechanism of action: Formation of toxic intermediates (oxalic acid, glycolic acid, calcium oxalate crystals) producing brain and kidney damage and metabolic acidosis
Toxicity:
Lethal dose for cats is 1-2.5ml/kg of 95% ethylene glycol
Lethal dose for cats of ethylene glycol diluted 50:50 with water is 15ml
Lead
Products: Lead-based paint, soil, petrol, car batteries, oil, shotgun pellets, solder, asphalt, fishing sinkers, insecticides
Clinical signs: Anorexia, vomiting, depression, lethargy
Diagnosis: Haemogram (hemogram) has nucleated red blood cells, blood lead levels, lead particles in gastrointestinal tract on radiographs
Treatment: Emetics, enemas, cathartics (magnesium sulphate), Calcium EDTA
Mechanism of action: Mainly neuronal degeneration
Metaldehyde
Products: Rat, snail and slug baits
Clinical signs: Excitement, restlessness, grimacing, drooling, uncoordinated gait, depression, weakness, muscle tremors, hyperthermia, vomiting, diarrhoea (diarrhea), convulsions
If the cat survives, it may get liver failure
Diagnosis: Metaldehyde in stomach contents or serum, urine or liver, liver enzymes may increase
Treatment: Decontaminate, diazepam, methocarbamol (Robaxin), barbiturates, symptomatic care
Mechanism of action: Readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, decrease in inhibitory GABA, decrease in NA and 5-HT lowers threshold for convulsions, increase in monoamine oxidase activity
Methylene Blue
Clinical signs: Pallor, weakness, tachypnoea (tachypnea) - increased respiration rate), blue pigmented skin, greenish urine (occassionally)
Diagnosis: Regenerative anaemia (anemia), many Heinz bodies
Treatment: Blood transfusion if PCV less than 15 to 18%
Mechanism of action: Heinz body haemolytic anaemia (hemolytic anemia)
NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
Products: some painkillers, Rimadyl
Clinical signs: Vomiting, maelena (melena) - dark tarry faeces (feces), anaemia (anemia)
Diagnosis: Physical exam, history of ingestion
Treatment: General support, antacids, cimetidine, blood transfusion if needed
Mechanism of action: Gastrointestinal ulceration
Organophosphates and Carbamates
Products:
Organophosphates - insecticides/pesticides, dips, flea collars, sprays, dewormers, (active compounds: chloropyrifos, leptofos, fenitrothion, trichlorfon and others)
Carbamates - Carbaryl-insecticide spray, Methiocarb-snail/slug (Mesurol)
Clinical signs: Muscarinic - salivation, lacrimation, urination, defaecation (defecation), dyspnoea (dyspnea) - diffculty breathing, vomiting, sweating, pinpoint pupils
Nicotinic - ataxia, weakness, seizures
Diagnosis: Decreased serum cholinesterase, history of exposure
Treatment: Thorough bath, remove all other sources of organophosphates, activated charcoal and laxative, atropine sulfate, 2-PAM (protopam chloride), general support
Mechanism of action: Cholinesterase inhibition
Paracetamol
Also known as: Acetaminophen
Products: Panadol, Tylenol
Clinical signs: Anorexia, salivation, vomiting, depression, tachypnoea (tachypnea) - increased respiration rate, cyanosis, haematuria (hematuria), brown mucous membranes, facial and paw oedema (edema), haemoglobinuria (hemoglobinuria)
Diagnosis: Elevated liver enzymes, Heinz body anaemia (anemia), methaemoglobinaemia (methemoglobinemia)
Treatment: Emetic, activated charcoal and laxative, acetylcysteine or sodium sulphate, supportive IV fluids, blood transfusion if needed
Mechanism of action: Glutathione depletion and formation of toxic metabolites, haemolysis (hemolysis), coagulopathy, hepatic necrosis
Toxicity:
One 500mg tablet will produce toxic signs in cats
Toxic dose for cats is 50-60mg/kg
Phenazopyridine
Products: Human urinary antiseptic
Clinical signs: Anorexia, depression, haemoglobinuria (hemoglobinuria), jaundice, pallor
Diagnosis: Heinz body haemolytic anaemia (hemolytic anemia), methaemoglobinaemia (methemoglobinemia), liver enzyme elevation
Treatment: General support, blood transfusion if needed
Mechanism of action: Haemolysis (hemolysis), hepatopathy
Phosphorus
Products: Rat and roach poisons, fireworks, flares, matches, matchboxes
Clinical signs: Vomiting, diarrhoea (diarrhea), cramps, icterus (yellowing of mucous membranes), hepatic failure, abdominal pain, convulsions, coma
Diagnosis: Hypoglycaemia (hypoglycemia), elevated liver enzymes, oliguria, rise in BUN
Treatment: Copper sulphate lavage, activated charcoal and saline cathartic (no oil), supportive treatment, vitamin K, fluids
Mechanism of toxicity: Unknown
Sodium Fluoroacetate (1080)
Products: Rat poison, possum bait
Cats and dogs can be poisoned by eating a dead rodent
Clinical signs: Vomiting, salivation, agitation, straining to urinate or defaecate (defecate), hyperthermia, staggering gait, convulsions, vocalization, collapse
Diagnosis: Analysis of stomach contents, analysis of bait or vomit
Treatment: Induce vomiting (if cat is conscious), activated charcoal and gastric lavage, sodium bicarbonate to treat metabolic acidosis, calcium gluconate for hypocalcaemia (hypocalcemia), barbiturates for seizures, acetamide therapy
Mechanism of action: Interferes with the TCA cycle
Toxicity: Toxic dose for cats may be as little as 0.05mg/kg
Strychnine
Products: Rat and mouse poison, coyote bait
Available commercially as coated pellets dyed purple, red or green
Clinical signs: Apprehension, excitability, stiffness, violent tetanic seizures easily triggered by minor stimuli (e.g. tapping the cat or clapping your hands), paddling of the legs, drooling, muscle spasms
Diagnosis: Hypoxia form tetanic seizures, typical clinical signs, tissue level assay of liver, kidney, central nervous system
Treatment: Induce emesis if conscious, diazepam, methocarbamol, respiratory support, avoid loud noises that may trigger a seizure
Mechanism of action: Interferes with spinal neuronal and medullary inhibition
Warfarin and Other Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Products: Rodenticides, Pesticides
Warfarin - first generation
Indanediones - first generation
Brodifacoum - second generation
Clinical signs: Bleeding or haemorrhage (hemorrhage) from any part of the body or into any body cavity or tissue, death, depression, anorexia, anaemia (anemia) - pale mucous membranes, epistaxis (bleeding from the nose), lameness, dyspnoea (dyspnea) - difficulty breathing, if bleeding into the chest
Diagnosis: Prolonged ACT, PT, PTT, anaemia (anemia), history of exposure
Treatment: Vitamin K1 therapy until coagulation times normalize, blood transfusion if needed, fluids, long treatment period required
Mechanism of action: Inhibition of vitamin K dependant blood clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X)
Toxicity:
Warfarin - toxic single dose for a cat is 5-50mg/kg, toxic level for repeated doses is 1mg/kg for 5 days
Indanediones - single oral LD50 for Dipacinone in cats is 15mg/kg
Brodifacoum - LD50 is 25mg/kg for a cat
Zinc Phosphide
Products: Rat poisons
Clinical signs: Central nervous system depression, laboured breathing, vomiting (often containing blood), weakness, convulsions, death
Diagnosis: Regenerative anaemia (anemia), bilirubinaemia (bilirubinemia), uraemia (uremia), tissue zinc levels
Treatment: Emetic, gastric lavage, sodium bicarbonate, egg white, calcium EDTA
Mechanism of action: Zinc interferes with absorption and utilization of iron and copper, zinc precipitates proteins causing gastroenteritis
References
Carlson DG & Giffin JM, Cat Owners Home Veterinary Handbook, New York: Howell Book House, 1995
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