Is your cat poisoned? Despite advances in animal welfare, many people still dedicate their time to poisoning both dogs and cats . Cats are the most frequent victims of these humans, as many felines live outdoors.
Whether you live in a city, a town, or the countryside, you must take certain precautions to ensure your friend and companion can enjoy life for all the years they are meant to live. Besides the dangers they may encounter outside, they also need protection inside your home. So, what should you do if your cat has been poisoned?
Symptoms of poisoning in cats
I still remember one of the cats from the colony I'm looking after as if it were yesterday. I had just arrived in the garden and she was crouched down, her mouth half-open, trying to breathe . She wasn't moving, and it was clear she had been poisoned. When I picked her up to put her in the carrier, I noticed her heart racing . Without a doubt, the situation was serious.
The vet ran a series of tests and discovered he had pulmonary edema . In other words, he had more fluid than necessary in his lungs, which prevented him from breathing normally. We still didn't know what had caused it, but we finally concluded it was the flea and tick treatment I had applied the day before. Yes, flea and tick treatments can also cause serious problems for animals . But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
In addition to the symptoms mentioned (difficulty breathing and weakness), we will know our friend has been poisoned if they lose consciousness, have a swollen stomach , convulse, cough and/or sneeze, vomit, drool excessively , and/or have diarrhea. They will also feel depressed, with no desire to do anything… except gasp for air . In very severe cases, they will likely seek a quiet, secluded place where they can rest undisturbed.
First aid from a poisoned cat
If we suspect that our friend has been poisoned at home, we can do a number of things to try to make him feel better.
The first and most important thing is to pick him up firmly (but gently) and take him to a well-lit and ventilated room . This will make it easier to detect any other symptoms we might have missed while the furry friend gets fresh air. Offer him water so he can eliminate any remaining traces through urination, but don't force him if he doesn't drink. Never give him milk, as this will encourage the absorption of the poison, worsening the situation.
Next , we'll call the vet to find out how to proceed . If they recommend inducing vomiting, we'll give the animal two small spoonfuls of salt water or hydrogen peroxide. If the poison is powder, we'll thoroughly clean it off with a brush.
Finally, whenever possible, we will try to locate the source of the poisoning . If we succeed, great, we will remove it immediately to prevent other animals from being poisoned; however, if there is no way to find it, or if the cat is really unwell with breathing difficulties, we will not waste time looking for it.
Now the most important thing is to take him to the vet so he can be examined and receive the appropriate treatment for his case.
Treatment of a poisoned cat
Treatment will vary depending on the cause of the poisoning and the cat's condition. Generally, vomiting is induced to help the cat expel the poison. However, in severe cases, gastric lavage may be necessary.
How to protect it at home
At home there are many dangers that we must protect it from, and they are the following:
- Medicines for humans: It is true that cats, in general, will not self-medicate, unless curiosity leads them to do so, but for their own safety we must keep our medications stored in a place where they cannot be reached.
- Cleaning products: including those used to clean dishes and dishes, can seriously damage your body. Likewise, we must clean the furniture well so that it is completely dry, without foam.
- Shampoo, soap and gel: You always have to keep the boats closed to avoid taking risks, even if they are natural.
- Toxic cat food: like chocolate, garlic or onion, they should never be given to our friend.
- Plants: felines are very curious animals by nature, so they do not hesitate to play with home plants. However, there are some that you should avoid having, such as Poinsettia, Anthurium, Croton, Narcissus, Adam's Rib or Difenbachia.
And abroad?
Well, it's more difficult to protect it outdoors. But we can avoid more than one scare if we keep it in the garden and don't use chemical products . Only then can it enjoy nature without its life being in danger.
If your cat likes to roam the neighborhood, the situation becomes more complicated. Some people use insecticides that they spray on plants, which cats can then use to cleanse their stomachs. They can also poison food left out where any animal can see it . While this is finally beginning to be considered animal abuse in many countries, there's still a long way to go. So, what can be done?
From my own experience, I can tell you that the best thing in these cases is to make sure the cat has eaten before going out . It doesn't guarantee anything, but if they've just eaten, it's unlikely they'll eat anything outside. Just in case, it's a good idea to put a collar with an ID tag that includes your phone number, and of course, the microchip information.
As we can see, cats can find dangers both outside and inside the home. Whenever we suspect that you are not feeling well, we will take you to the specialist as soon as possible.