The article discusses in detail the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of poisoning in cats. Video with tips from experts. Poisoning in cats is a disease that occurs when an animal comes into contact with toxic substances. As a rule, in the vast majority of cases, poisoning occurs through the penetration of the toxin into the cat's body from the outside, for example, with food, inhaled air, through the skin or the bites of poisonous animals. Such poisonings are, using the terminology of specialists, of an exogenous nature.
However, the clinical picture of poisoning can also develop under the influence of poisons that are produced in the cat's body itself as a result of metabolic disruptions. Such toxins are called endogenous. They are formed as a result of pathology of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, as well as as a result of the vital activity of bacteria and viruses.
Causes of poisoning in cats
The most common reason for poisoning cats at home is a violation of the rules for storing medicines, when they become readily available to the animal, poisonous plants, as well as free access to pesticides and insecticides. Sometimes the cause of poisoning can be banal household chemicals, for example, when a cat comes into contact with paints, varnishes or solvents. Do not forget that some toxic substances have an attractive smell and taste for your pet. These include chlorine-based disinfectants and automotive chemicals such as antifreeze and glass cleaner.
Poisoning symptoms in cats
The clinical picture of poisoning in cats can be very diverse and results in certain signs by which you can easily determine this phenomenon. The decisive role is played by the type of poison that caused the intoxication. Usually, the animal has a general weakness of the body, vomiting of varying intensity, rapid and intermittent breathing, diarrhea. In especially severe cases, mental disorders are noted, as well as convulsions.
First aid for a pet - treatment
If you suspect poisoning, the cat should immediately receive first aid. If, upon visual inspection, the skin shows signs of contact with the toxin, you should immediately wash your pet with shampoo. If contact was with a powdery substance, you can clean the coat with a vacuum cleaner before water procedures. This will increase the effectiveness of the measures taken.
To remove the poisonous substance that has got into the eyes, use a thorough rinsing with plenty of water.
The most difficult thing is to remove the poison from the gastrointestinal tract - treatment is made more difficult by the forced administration of certain drugs through the esophagus. It is most advisable to induce the cat to vomit immediately. This will help to free the body from the toxin as much as possible. To do this, you can use a solution of hydrogen peroxide diluted with water to a 3% concentration, which is given at the rate of 2 ml / kg of the cat's weight. In case of poisoning with rat poison, the pet can also be given magnesium hydroxide and activated carbon based on weight, as for a person.
However, it should be remembered that vomiting in a cat should never be induced if it is unconscious, or if it has pronounced disorders of the central nervous system. In addition, vomiting is unlikely to be caused if the cat has lost the ability to swallow, for example, as a result of paralysis of the larynx, or is severely weak due to poisoning with tranquilizers.
After providing first aid, the cat must be immediately taken to the veterinary clinic, where it will undergo a gastric lavage. The effectiveness of this procedure depends on the time elapsed since the poisoning. after 3 hours, most of the toxin is already absorbed into the bloodstream or enters the intestines. Then sorbents are used to remove the poison, for example Enterosgel, which is introduced into the animal's mouth in an amount of 3 ml. As a laxative, the animal is given 5 ml of liquid paraffin every 2 hours.
When a cat is bitten by a venomous animal such as a snake, spider or insect, antivenom should be administered immediately. This can only be done in a veterinary clinic, where the specialist needs to inform what kind of poisonous animal has bitten your cat. Only then will the veterinarian be able to select an antidote specific to the toxin. If after giving first aid after poisoning your cat feels better, still try to show it to a specialist. After all, the consequences of exposure to the toxin can manifest themselves even after a long time in the form of various pathologies from the kidneys, liver or cardiovascular system.
Video: poisoning in pets
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