Chemical Poisoning

Fortunately, chemical poisoning is not a common occurrence among cats, possibly because of their finicky eating habits, which often prevent them from ingesting substances that are harmful. However, two other qualities get them into trouble with poisonous agents. Cats are curious and fastidious animals. Curiosity can lead them into situations that are better left alone, such as walking across a wet, freshly disinfected or waxed floor to look out the window, or scampering across a lawn that has recently been sprayed with weed killer to chase a leaf. Fastidiousness can cause them to lick off the disinfectant, wax, or weed killer, no matter how unpleasant the taste. This indirect ingestion can be responsible for chemical poisoning.

Cats also can be indirectly affected either by catching and eating rats or mice that have eaten poisoned bait or by walking through tracking powders that then are ingested during grooming. Most of the rodenticides marketed today use anticoagulant chemicals rather than the more hazardous compounds of strychnine or fluoracetate. Earlier-generation anticoagulant rodenticides required ingestion of sufficient amounts over an extended period of time before poisoning would occur. This is not the case with newer products; a single ingestion is sufficient to cause hemorrhage and death. Usually it takes two to five days before signs become apparent, but in very young, very old, or ill animals, it may take no more than twenty-four hours. If ingestion of a rodenticide is suspected, it is critical that a veterinarian be contacted, even if signs of poisoning are not yet obvious.

Tracking powders are more commonly used by professional exterminators. The tracking powders are more of a direct threat to cats, especially if the powders are placed in an area that is frequented by cats. The powders adhere to the feet and fur of both rodents and cats, and the poisons are then involuntarily ingested when the animal grooms itself if you observe your cat ingesting rodenticide tracking powders, follow the instructions for inducing vomiting outlined later in this chapter. Then the cat should be bathed to remove any residual poison on its body. Your veterinarian should be contacted as soon as possible.

Sadly, cats may be inadvertently poisoned by owners who administer medications without first checking with their veterinarians. Severe reactions can be caused by giving an over-the-counter drug to a cat

Inhalation accounts for another method of chemical poisoning. This usually occurs when a cat is unable to escape and has no choice but to breathe automobile exhaust fumes, sprayed pesticides, smoke, gas escaping from a heater or stove, or other toxic fumes.

Signs of Poisoning

Reactions to chemical poisoning are varied, depending on the kind of substance, the amount ingested or inhaled, and the previous condition of the cat. At one extreme, a cat may show intense excitement or convulsions; at the other extreme, there may be lethargy, even coma. Danger signs include excessive drooling, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, muscle spasms, trembling, vomiting, and diarrhea. A cat with carbon monoxide poisoning may have telltale bright red lips and tongue, and it will appear weak and dizzy. Obviously, any strange odor on the breath or body bears investigation, and a spilled container of chemicals or medicine may point to a toxic encounter.

A given amount of a toxic substance will generally have the strongest effect on kittens, old cats, and weak or sick cats. Every poison does not have a specific antidote, but certain emergency procedures can be successful if administered quickly.

The signs associated with anticoagulant poisoning include weakness, easy bruising of the skin, pale mucous membranes, difficulty in breathing, nosebleeds, and blood in vomitus and stools. However, it can take as long as five days before these signs are apparent. If you observe any of the aforementioned signs, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. If possible, take samples of any bloody stools or vomit for analysis. The veterinarian may perform certain blood tests to determine the extent of the poisoning.

First Aid for Ingested Poisons

If a cat has been poisoned, someone must call immediately to alert the veterinarian that an emergency case is coming, while first-aid procedures are begun. Tell the veterinarian what type of poison is involved (if you know it), the cat's signs, what first-aid measures are being performed, and when the cat will arrive. Note: If the cat is convulsing or is unconscious, first aid is inadequate. Wrap the animal in a blanket and rush to the veterinarian without delay for expert attention. In most cases, if the cat is conscious and is not convulsing, induce vomiting. Note: Do not induce vomiting if the cat has swallowed an acid, an alkali, or kerosene. See the special section on these agents that follows.

The goal when inducing vomiting is to remove poison from the stomach before it can pass to the intestines and be absorbed into the bloodstream. Open the cat's mouth without tipping its head way back and slowly pour in one of the following:

1. Give 1 to 2 teaspoons of syrup of ipecac (may be repeated once in twenty minutes if needed).

2. Give 1 to 2 teaspoons of a 1:1 mix of hydrogen peroxide and water (repeat a few times at twentyminute intervals if
needed).

Repeat or alternate these measures every five or ten minutes until the cat vomits. Save the vomit and especially the chemical container, if available. Bring these to the veterinarian to help identify the poison and choose specific treatment. To save time, one person may drive while another attempts to induce vomiting. If there is no way to see a veterinarian, try to determine if there is a specific antidote to the poison -something that will neutralize or detoxify the poison that has already entered the bloodstream. Check the label on the container, if available, or call the nearest Poison Control Center, if the poison is known.

If no specific antidote is available, give water or milk, force-feeding if necessary, to dilute the poison already in the cat's system. If activated charcoal (the kind purchased in a pharmacy, not charcoal briquets) is available, mix several teaspoons into the liquid. The charcoal will adsorb (bind to) poison in the intestine, so that it is passed out of the body without entering the bloodstream. Do not use the charcoal if the cat has been given syrup of ipecac, for they will bind together and inactivate each other. Try coating the intestines to slow absorption. Feed the cat one to three tablespoons of egg whites. One to two teaspoons of mineral oil may help to prevent some poisons from passing from the intestine into the cat's system, but this must be given slowly and carefully to prevent aspiration.

If the cat is severely depressed, it may become necessary to give artificial respiration. (See SECTION: FIRST AID.) While traveling to the veterinary hospital, keep the cat warm and lower its head to allow liquids to drain out of the mouth.

Signs of anticoagulant rodent poison develop over a period of four to five days. These include depression, skin discoloration, labored breathing, and prostration. The treatment consists of a blood transfusion and doses of vitamin K. Do not attempt to diagnose this condition and initiate vitamin therapy on your own. Chances of the cat's full recovery are very good if the condition is treated early.

Acids, Alkalis, and Kerosene

Acids, drain cleaners (alkalis), and kerosene will burn the mouth and throat both going down and coming up. Do not compound damage to the body by inducing vomiting. Instead, give the following general antidotes:

For acids: give antacids, e.g., baking soda solution or a single dose of one teaspoon milk of magnesia per five pounds of body weight.

For alkalis: give one to five teaspoons of a mixture of vinegar (or lemon Juice) diluted with an equal part of water.

Acids, alkalis, and kerosene can be diluted in the system, and the intestines can be coated, by giving oral doses of milk, mineral oil (caution-administer slowly), or egg whites.

First Aid for Inhaled Poisons

The first remedy for a cat that has inhaled deadly fumes is fresh air. Put the cat outside in the open air, regardless of the weather. Artificial respiration may be required. A veterinarian will be able to administer oxygen and respiratory stimulants, if needed. Recovery generally occurs within a few hours; however, temporary blindness or deafness has been known to occur and then disappear spontaneously within a matter of days or weeks.

Prevention

Keep toxic substances out of a pet's reach. (See Table). If the label says "Keep out of the reach of children," then keep it out of the reach of cats, too. Never give your cat medication that has not been approved by a veterinarian. if the cat is on a prescription drug, ask the veterinarian about possible toxic reactions before administering any additional medicines.

Keep the cat in the house until lawns that are freshly sprayed with insecticide or fertilizer have dried. However, rain will dilute the poison sufficiently to remove danger, allowing the animal to go out afterward. Some pesticides are toxic to humans and animals. No one should remain in the vicinity where they are being sprayed.

Open the garage door when warming a car engine. Animals could be napping or even trapped inside. Noxious fumes can be deadly for both animals and humans. Maintain good ventilation in any area when working with chemicals that give off fumes, and be certain stoves and furnaces have no gas leaks. Common sense goes a long way toward keeping a cat sound and healthy.