Poisoning
INTRODUCTION
There is a large variation of poisonous materials which, if they are absorbed by your pet, might lead to problems. Sometimes you notice that your pet eats something which is poisonous but usually we don’t know it. Especially dogs tend to eat everything which looks eatable. The animal suddenly gets sick; we usually notice vomiting, diarrhoea or neurological (brains and/or nerves) defects. In below text we will discuss a number of the most occurring materials which may lead to poisoning with animals. What you should do if think your cat has been poisoned can be read in the library under Emergency.
There is a large variation of poisonous materials which, if they are absorbed by your pet, might lead to problems. Sometimes you notice that your pet eats something which is poisonous but usually we don’t know it. Especially dogs tend to eat everything which looks eatable. The animal suddenly gets sick; we usually notice vomiting, diarrhoea or neurological (brains and/or nerves) defects. In below text we will discuss a number of the most occurring materials which may lead to poisoning with animals. What you should do if think your cat has been poisoned can be read in the library under Emergency.
ASPIRIN (ACETYL SALICYLATE ACID)
It is not wise to start practising at home with your sick cat and to give the cat aspirin. Cats can only decompose aspirin very slowly so that an overdose, a poisoning, may arise. The symptoms of an aspirin poisoning are: Vomiting (possibly with blood), and being sick and listless. There isn’t a specific antidote for an aspirin poisoning. You can however start a treatment to avoid a damage of the stomach lining. You’d better don’t give aspirin to dogs as well, since they can also get above mentioned symptoms, although less fast than cats. By definition it is wrong to administer medicines which human beings use to your dog and cat. The dose (mg/kg) often strongly deviates and not every human medicine is suitable for dogs and/or cats.
It is not wise to start practising at home with your sick cat and to give the cat aspirin. Cats can only decompose aspirin very slowly so that an overdose, a poisoning, may arise. The symptoms of an aspirin poisoning are: Vomiting (possibly with blood), and being sick and listless. There isn’t a specific antidote for an aspirin poisoning. You can however start a treatment to avoid a damage of the stomach lining. You’d better don’t give aspirin to dogs as well, since they can also get above mentioned symptoms, although less fast than cats. By definition it is wrong to administer medicines which human beings use to your dog and cat. The dose (mg/kg) often strongly deviates and not every human medicine is suitable for dogs and/or cats.
RAT POISON (ALPHANAPHTHYLTHIOUREUM)
If your pet has eaten rat poison, which for example was found in the garage or in the garden, we usually notice the following symptoms: vomiting, saliva, coughing and tightness of the chest. There isn’t a specific antidote. You can try to treat the animal with a means which expels fluid which due to which it reduces the departure of fluid in the longs and because of that tightness of the chest as much as possible. Unfortunately the treatment is rarely successful.
If your pet has eaten rat poison, which for example was found in the garage or in the garden, we usually notice the following symptoms: vomiting, saliva, coughing and tightness of the chest. There isn’t a specific antidote. You can try to treat the animal with a means which expels fluid which due to which it reduces the departure of fluid in the longs and because of that tightness of the chest as much as possible. Unfortunately the treatment is rarely successful.
MATERIALS WHICH CONTAIN ARSENIC
If your pet has swallowed a means which contains arsenic we notice a serious, sometimes bloody diarrhoea and a sick animal. The treatment consists of, if acute, administering protein via the beak. Afterwards an antidote (Dimercaprol = BAL) against heavy metals can be administered through an injection. Arsenic is used less often nowadays; the number of poisonings has therefore been reduced.
If your pet has swallowed a means which contains arsenic we notice a serious, sometimes bloody diarrhoea and a sick animal. The treatment consists of, if acute, administering protein via the beak. Afterwards an antidote (Dimercaprol = BAL) against heavy metals can be administered through an injection. Arsenic is used less often nowadays; the number of poisonings has therefore been reduced.
BOTULISM
Botulism is caused by toxins which have been formed in cadavers by Clostridium botulinum. Although dogs aren’t extremely susceptible to it, we now and then see an infection in hot summers. Usually, the involved dogs have eaten dead birds or have swum in water which contained dead birds. Botulism isn’t known with cats, perhaps since cats aren’t scavenging animals. The symptoms are paralysis and reduced reflexes. There isn’t a specific antidote; the treatment can only be supporting and the chance on recovery is mediocre.
Botulism is caused by toxins which have been formed in cadavers by Clostridium botulinum. Although dogs aren’t extremely susceptible to it, we now and then see an infection in hot summers. Usually, the involved dogs have eaten dead birds or have swum in water which contained dead birds. Botulism isn’t known with cats, perhaps since cats aren’t scavenging animals. The symptoms are paralysis and reduced reflexes. There isn’t a specific antidote; the treatment can only be supporting and the chance on recovery is mediocre.
CHOCOLATE
Chocolate contains Theo bromine, a material which especially (young) dogs cannot handle. If an animal has eaten too much chocolate he can suffer from hyperactivity, stomach disorders, cramps and attacks. A cardiac arrhythmia might lead to death. The toxic dose which might endanger the animal varies strongly for plain and milk chocolate. A dog which weights for example 10 kg must eat 670 grams milk chocolate in order to have poisoning symptoms, while eating 63 grams pure chocolate might already lead to danger. There isn’t a specific antidote and the treatment can only be supporting
Chocolate contains Theo bromine, a material which especially (young) dogs cannot handle. If an animal has eaten too much chocolate he can suffer from hyperactivity, stomach disorders, cramps and attacks. A cardiac arrhythmia might lead to death. The toxic dose which might endanger the animal varies strongly for plain and milk chocolate. A dog which weights for example 10 kg must eat 670 grams milk chocolate in order to have poisoning symptoms, while eating 63 grams pure chocolate might already lead to danger. There isn’t a specific antidote and the treatment can only be supporting
RAT POISON AND MICE POISON
The symptoms are vomiting and coagulation disturbances which might cause subcutaneous bleedings or bleedings in the mucous membrane or extensive internal bleedings. The symptoms which are the result vary depending on the localization of the bleeding. If the internal bleeding for example occurs in the chest cavity it may lead to tightness of the chest. The treatment consists of giving vitamin K1, through an injection in a blood vessel. Vitamin K1 only functions shortly, about one hour. Usually, a very intense treatment is necessary and the animal must be treated on IC. During the treatment the coagulation of the blood must regularly be determined and based on this the vitamin K1 dose must be adjusted until complete recovery has been achieved.
The symptoms are vomiting and coagulation disturbances which might cause subcutaneous bleedings or bleedings in the mucous membrane or extensive internal bleedings. The symptoms which are the result vary depending on the localization of the bleeding. If the internal bleeding for example occurs in the chest cavity it may lead to tightness of the chest. The treatment consists of giving vitamin K1, through an injection in a blood vessel. Vitamin K1 only functions shortly, about one hour. Usually, a very intense treatment is necessary and the animal must be treated on IC. During the treatment the coagulation of the blood must regularly be determined and based on this the vitamin K1 dose must be adjusted until complete recovery has been achieved.
ANTIFREEZE (ETHYLENE GLYCOL)
Since cars have closed cooling systems nowadays an antifreeze poisoning should never occur again. But, since there are still some old kept rests of coolant and cars (or other vehicles), might leak coolant (for example if the radiator is defect) we want to discuss this matter. Since the coolant has a very sweet smell and taste especially dogs cannot resist it. But a cat which walks through the coolant and cleans his paws afterwards might swallow it. The symptoms are: Vomiting, diarrhoea, a lot of drinking and urinating. The ethylene glycol especially damages the kidneys. Later on, neurological symptoms might occur like attacks. The treatment consists of, as soon as possible, administering a drip with dissolved alcohol. Your veterinarian might ask you to give your animal already some alcohol at home (gin or vodka, a shot glass per 10 kg body weight). Then, you go to the clinic urgently.
Since cars have closed cooling systems nowadays an antifreeze poisoning should never occur again. But, since there are still some old kept rests of coolant and cars (or other vehicles), might leak coolant (for example if the radiator is defect) we want to discuss this matter. Since the coolant has a very sweet smell and taste especially dogs cannot resist it. But a cat which walks through the coolant and cleans his paws afterwards might swallow it. The symptoms are: Vomiting, diarrhoea, a lot of drinking and urinating. The ethylene glycol especially damages the kidneys. Later on, neurological symptoms might occur like attacks. The treatment consists of, as soon as possible, administering a drip with dissolved alcohol. Your veterinarian might ask you to give your animal already some alcohol at home (gin or vodka, a shot glass per 10 kg body weight). Then, you go to the clinic urgently.
HASH (CANNABIS)
Not everyone will have hash at home, but a dog might for example eat it on the street. The symptoms vary: listlessness, a very demanding dog which reacts terrified (excitation). Sometimes saliva. There isn’t a specific antidote, although a homeopathic treatment might bring results (Cannabis indicus in a homeopathical dilution). The saliva and the excitation can be reduced by the veterinarian and further sleeping late is the best treatment.
Not everyone will have hash at home, but a dog might for example eat it on the street. The symptoms vary: listlessness, a very demanding dog which reacts terrified (excitation). Sometimes saliva. There isn’t a specific antidote, although a homeopathic treatment might bring results (Cannabis indicus in a homeopathical dilution). The saliva and the excitation can be reduced by the veterinarian and further sleeping late is the best treatment.
SLAG POISON (METALDEHYDE)
The symptoms are neurological: delirium tremens, muscle vibrations, fast movements of the eye’s pupil, cramps and attacks. There isn’t a specific antidote and the treatment can only be supporting (anti-epileptic). It is usually necessary to admit the animal on IC, but still the chance on recovery isn’t huge.
The symptoms are neurological: delirium tremens, muscle vibrations, fast movements of the eye’s pupil, cramps and attacks. There isn’t a specific antidote and the treatment can only be supporting (anti-epileptic). It is usually necessary to admit the animal on IC, but still the chance on recovery isn’t huge.
WEED KILLERS
A large number of means is used, some of them are extremely toxic. It is always important to take the package to the clinic since treatment possibilities are mentioned on it.
A large number of means is used, some of them are extremely toxic. It is always important to take the package to the clinic since treatment possibilities are mentioned on it.
INSECT CONTROL MEANS (ORGANO PHOSPHATES)
Organo phosphates can amongst others be found in the old-fashioned flea pesticides, but also in pesticides against insects in horticulture or agriculture. Poisoning by a flea pesticide occurs the most with the cat since they can easily absorb, due to their licking behavior, some of the pesticide. The symptoms: saliva, large pupils, vomiting, diarrhoea, tightness of the chest and attacks. It is striking that the heartbeat is very low, despite of the cramps. A specific means can be administered in the animal clinic which fights the functioning of organo phosphates (an injection with atropine). The attacks can also be fought. Try to avoid absorption of the flea pesticide by placing the pipette high in the neck and by (afterwards) keeping a close eye on the cat in order to avoid excessive licking behavior.
Organo phosphates can amongst others be found in the old-fashioned flea pesticides, but also in pesticides against insects in horticulture or agriculture. Poisoning by a flea pesticide occurs the most with the cat since they can easily absorb, due to their licking behavior, some of the pesticide. The symptoms: saliva, large pupils, vomiting, diarrhoea, tightness of the chest and attacks. It is striking that the heartbeat is very low, despite of the cramps. A specific means can be administered in the animal clinic which fights the functioning of organo phosphates (an injection with atropine). The attacks can also be fought. Try to avoid absorption of the flea pesticide by placing the pipette high in the neck and by (afterwards) keeping a close eye on the cat in order to avoid excessive licking behavior.
POISONOUS PLANTS
There are many poisonous plants. We cannot mention them all. If they are eaten usually complaints like saliva, vomiting and diarrhoea arise, but also neurological symptoms can arise. The most occurring (in house and garden) and well-known poisonous plants are Digitalis, Aconitum, Hedera, Lilium, Taxus, Datura Lupine, Laburnum, and Helleborus and in December the very popular Christmas flower.
There are many poisonous plants. We cannot mention them all. If they are eaten usually complaints like saliva, vomiting and diarrhoea arise, but also neurological symptoms can arise. The most occurring (in house and garden) and well-known poisonous plants are Digitalis, Aconitum, Hedera, Lilium, Taxus, Datura Lupine, Laburnum, and Helleborus and in December the very popular Christmas flower.
FINALLY
This summary of poisonings isn’t complete since there are many poisonous materials. It is therefore even for a veterinarian impossible to recognize each poisoning and to apply the appropriate treatment immediately. That is why the National Poisoning Centre in Bilthoven exists. Veterinarians can ask for information 24 hours a day. For owners it is important, if you think your cat has been poisoned and you still have the package, to take this to the clinic so that the right treatment can be applied. Prevention is better than cure of course. Try to avoid that your pet eats things which are on the street and pay attention if you keep or straw poison; only use poison if it is absolutely necessary and make sure that your pet never comes close to it. Don’t administer medicines which aren’t meant for animals and be critical when it comes to choosing flee pesticides.
This summary of poisonings isn’t complete since there are many poisonous materials. It is therefore even for a veterinarian impossible to recognize each poisoning and to apply the appropriate treatment immediately. That is why the National Poisoning Centre in Bilthoven exists. Veterinarians can ask for information 24 hours a day. For owners it is important, if you think your cat has been poisoned and you still have the package, to take this to the clinic so that the right treatment can be applied. Prevention is better than cure of course. Try to avoid that your pet eats things which are on the street and pay attention if you keep or straw poison; only use poison if it is absolutely necessary and make sure that your pet never comes close to it. Don’t administer medicines which aren’t meant for animals and be critical when it comes to choosing flee pesticides.
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