[June]

SODIUM FLUOROACETATE (1080)

This chemical, used as a rat poison, is mixed with cereal, bran and other rat feeds. It is so potent that cats and dogs can be poisoned just by eating a dead rodent. The onset is sudden and begins with vomiting--followed by agitation, straining to urinate or defecate, a staggering gait, atypical fits or true convulsions and then collapse. Seizures are not triggered by external stimuli as are those of strychnine poisoning.

Treatment: Immediately after the cat ingests the poison, induce vomiting. Care and handling is the same as for strychnine. A specific antidote is available.

ARSENIC

Arsenic is combined with metaldehyde in slug and snail baits and may appear in ant poisons, weed killers and insecticides. Arsenic is also a common impurity found in many chemicals. Death can occur quickly, before there is time to observe the symptoms. In more protracted cases the signs are thirst, drooling, vomiting, staggering, intense abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, paralysis and death. The breath of the cat has a strong odor of garlic.

Treatment: Induce vomiting. A specific antidote is available. See your veterinarian.

METALDEHYDE

This poison, often combined with arsenic, is used commonly in rat, snail and slug baits. The signs of toxicity are excitation, drooling and slobbering, uncoordinated gait, muscle tremors and weakness that leads to inability to stand within a few hours of ingestion. The tremors are not triggered by external stimuli.

Treatment: Immediately after the cat ingests the poison, induce vomiting. The care and handling are the same as for strychnine.

LEAD

Lead is found in insecticides and serves as a base for many commercial paints. Intoxication occurs mainly in kittens and young cats that chew on substances coated with a lead paint. Other sources of lead are linoleum, batteries and plumbing materials. Lead poisoning can occur in older cats following the ingestion of an insecticide containing lead. A chronic form does occur.

Acute poisoning begins with abdominal colic and vomiting. In the chronic form, a variety of central nervous system signs are possible. They include fits, uncoordinated gait, excitation, attacks of hysteria, weakness, stupor and blindness. These are signs of encephalitis.

Treatment: Immediately after ingestion, induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention. Specific antidotes are available through your veterinarian.

PHOSPHORUS

This chemical is present in rat and roach poisons, fireworks, flares, matches and matchboxes. A poisoned cat may have a garlic odor to its breath. The first signs of intoxication are vomiting and diarrhea. They may be followed by a symptom-free interval--then by recurrent vomiting, cramps, pain in the abdomen, convulsions and coma.

There is no specific antidote. Treat as you would for strychnine.

ZINC PHOSPHIDE

This substance also is found in rat poisons. Intoxication causes central nervous system depression; labored breathing; vomiting (often of blood); weakness; convulsions; and death. There is no specific antidote. Treat as you would for strychnine.

RODENTICIDE ANTICOAGULANTS

Accidental ingestion of anticoagulant rodenticides placed by laymen and commercial exterminators is a common cause of bleeding in cats. These poisons exert their effect by blocking the synthesis of Vitamin K, which is required for normal blood clotting. Vitamin K deficiency results in spontaneous bleeding. There are no observable signs of poisoning until the cat begins to pass blood in the stool or urine, bleeds from the nose, or develops hemorrhages beneath the gums and skin. The cat may be found dead from internal hemorrhage.

The first generation coumadin anticoagulants (warfarin, pindone) required repeated exposure to produce lethal effects. However, newer second generation anticoagulants of the bromadiolone and brodifacoum groups, including D-Con, Mouse Prufe II, Harvoc and Talan require only a single exposure. In fact, a cat can become poisoned if it eats a rodent killed by one of these products. In addition, these poisons remain in the cat's system for a long time and can require medical treatment for up to one month.

Treatment: Identify the exact anticoagulant if possible. Induce vomiting on suspicion of ingestion. Seek veterinary attention. Spontaneous bleeding is corrected with fresh whole blood or frozen plasma. Vitamin K is a specific antidote. It is given by injection, after which the cat is placed on Vitamin K tablets for several days or weeks.

OTHER RODENTICIDES

Rampage is a popular cereal bait poison that contains Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Toxic levels of Vitamin D3 cause a sudden rise in blood calcium levels, leading to vomiting and diarrhea, seizures and heart and kidney failure. Treatment is directed at lowering the serum calcium and requires veterinary management.

Bromethalin is a rodenticide found in Assault and Vengeance (Velsicol). One to two tablespoons are toxic to cats. Signs of poisoning include agitation, staggering, muscle tremors, high fever, stupor and seizures. Death is common once symptoms appear.

Induce vomiting on suspicion of ingestion and seek immediate veterinary attention.

ANTIFREEZE (ETHYLENE GLYCOL)

Poisoning with antifreeze is one of the most common poisoning conditions found in cats because ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that appeals to cats and dogs. One teaspoon of antifreeze can kill an average-sized cat. Signs of toxicity, which appear suddenly, are vomiting, uncoordinated gait (seems "drunk"), weakness, stupor and coma. Death can occur in 12 to 36 hours. Convulsions are unusual. Cats that recover from the acute poisoning may have damage to their kidneys and go on to kidney failure.

Treatment: Induce vomiting on suspicion of ingestion and proceed at once to the nearest veterinary facility. Intravenous alcohol is a specific antidote. Intensive care in an animal hospital may prevent kidney complications.

ORGANOPHOSPHATES AND CARBAMATES

These substances are used on cats to kill fleas and other parasites. Common organophosphates are Chloropyrifos and Carbaryl, but there are others. They are also used in garden sprays and in some dewormers. Improper application of insecticides to the cat can lead to absorption of a toxic dose through the skin. These drugs affect the nervous system primarily. Insecticides are discussed in the SKIN chapter.

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (GASOLINE, KEROSENE, TURPENTINE)

These volatile liquids can cause pneumonia if aspirated or inhaled. The signs of toxicity are vomiting, difficulty in breathing, tremors, convulsions and coma. Death is by respiratory failure.

Treatment: Do not induce vomiting. Administer water, fruit juice, or soda pop by mouth (one ounce per six pounds body weight). Be prepared to administer artificial breathing.

CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS

These compounds, like the organophosphates, are incorporated into some insecticide preparations (not for use on cats). The common products in veterinary use are Chlordane, Toxaphene, Lindane, and Methoxychlor. Accidental application to cats produces muscle twitching, excitation and convulsions. Bathe the animal immediately to remove the substance from its coat. Veterinary attention is imperative.

CORROSIVES (ACID AND ALKALI)

Corrosives and caustics are found in household cleaners, drain decloggers and commercial solvents. When ingested, they cause burns of the mouth, esophagus and stomach. Severe cases are associated with acute perforation (or late stricture) of the esophagus and stomach.

Treatment: Rinse out your cat's mouth. Administer water or soda pop by mouth (one ounce per six pounds body weight), then give two teaspoons of vegetable oil once. You can add this to the cat's food. The practice of giving an acid to neutralize an alkali and vice versa is no longer recommended because it causes heat injury to the lining of the stomach.

In either situation, do not induce vomiting. Vomiting could result in rupture of the stomach and burns of the esophagus.

GARBAGE POISONING (FOOD POISONING)

Cats are more particular than dogs about what they eat. Nevertheless, they are also scavengers and come into contact with carrion (rotting flesh or meat), decomposing foods, animal manure and other noxious substances (some of which are listed in DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Diarrhea). Cats are more sensitive than dogs to food poisoning and exhibit effects at lower levels. Signs of poisoning begin with vomiting and pain in the abdomen. In severe cases they are followed two to six hours later by a diarrhea that is often bloody. Shock may occur--particularly if the problem is complicated by bacterial infection. Mild cases recover in one to two days.

Treatment: Seek immediate veterinary attention for signs of dehydration, toxicity and shock. In mild cases, coat the bowel as described earlier in this chapter.

TOAD AND SALAMANDER POISONING

In the United States there are two species of poisonous toad (Bufo). The Colorado River Toad is found in the Southwest and Hawaii. The Marine Toad is found in Florida. There is one species of poisonous salamander, the California newt, found in California.

All toads have a bad taste. Cats that mouth them slobber, spit and drool. The Marine Toad is highly poisonous, causing death in as little as 15 minutes.
Symptoms in cats depend on the toxicity of the toad or salamander and the amount of poison absorbed. They vary from merely slobbering to convulsions, blindness and death.

Treatment: Flush out your cat's mouth (use a garden hose if necessary) and induce vomiting as described earlier in this chapter. Be prepared to administer CPR. Cats with salamander poisoning usually recover quickly.