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The range of hazardous substances pets are exposed to has changed over time. While it used to be mainly about poisoning by anticoagulant rodenticides (“rat poison”), today household cleaning agents, houseplants, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), external poisoning such as contamination with tar or oil and above all drugs are the main causes of poisoning . A threefold increase in drug intoxication compared to the 1970s / 1980s, but a decrease in pesticide poisoning.
In contrast to dogs, cats are less affected by human drugs than by veterinary drugs. Skin medication or ectoparasite agents in particular can have harmful effects. This means that the owner is often responsible for the poisoning of his cat, for example due to improper medication or from poisonous house plants in the apartment.
Oral intoxication is rare Cats have a relatively slow metabolism and are therefore much more sensitive to the side effects of many drugs than other animals. In addition, drugs applied to the skin can be absorbed by the constant cleaning of the fur. In general, a distinction is made between three routes of poisoning in cats: oral, transdermal and inhalation. The more rare oral poisoning is probably due to the fact that cats eat more selectively. Therefore, laid baits are either ignored or only eaten in small amounts. However, due to thorough body care there is a risk of absorption of contact poisons that have reached the fur. However, the cat’s natural hunting instinct can also lead to secondary poisoning by eating poisoned mice.
Poisoning with permethrin Cats are more sensitive to pyrethroids than dogs. As a result, pyrethroid poisoning is relatively common in them, and even death. The pyrethroids also include permethrin, an active ingredient that is used in veterinary medicine as a remedy against ticks and mites. Spot-on preparations that are intended for dogs but are also used by the owner for cats are particularly dangerous for cats. Cases of poisoning are also possible if cats sleep in the same place as dogs treated with it or lick them off. Explain to customers who buy a spot-on product for their cat that they should absolutely drip the liquid on an area that the cat cannot reach with its tongue, ideally between the shoulder blades.
The hair must be parted at the point so that the liquid wets the skin. In the case of poisoning, the first symptoms appear after 24 to 72 hours. They can manifest themselves neurologically through ataxia, cramps, paresthesia, weakness, tremor, over-excitability and gastrointestinally through vomiting and diarrhea. Dyspnoea and allergic skin reactions such as hair loss and itching are also observed with topical application. There is no antidote to pyrethrin / pyrethroid poisoning. Tremors and seizures are treated by the veterinarian with barbiturates, among other things. If the animal is in a stable condition, it should be washed with detergent in the event of dermal intoxication. Infusion therapy is useful in the case of dehydration due to gastrointestinal symptoms.
No human medicines for cats Poisoning from pain relievers such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can be accompanied by vomiting, gastrointestinal ulcers, fever, convulsions, weakness, shock, and anemia. Antibiotics can also lead to anemia, vomiting and diarrhea. Sedatives like benzodiazepines are another source of intoxication. Amphetamines, which are prescribed for depression and children with ADHD, are among the most common causes of poisoning in cats. This manifests itself in hypertension, increased heart rate, fever, excitement, dilated pupils and sometimes epileptic convulsions. Therefore, cat owners should always watch out for tablets lying around. Medicines intended for human consumption should never be used on cats without first consulting a veterinarian.
Poisoning by rodenticides Most rodenticides contain anticoagulants, which leads to a lack of clotting factors. After three to five days there is bloody vomiting, blood in the feces and urine. The neurological symptoms caused by bleeding into the central nervous system include epileptic seizures, ataxia, blindness, lethargy and paresis / paralysis. Epistaxis, bruises, and blood in the urine are also seen. The most important measure is the administration of vitamin K1 orally or subcutaneously. In addition, the animals should be infused.
Herbal poisons Eating ornamental and garden plants can cause symptoms of poisoning. Little is known that lily plants are very dangerous for cats. The ingestion of parts of these plants can have fatal consequences due to their nephrotoxicity. The pollen that the cat licks up by cleaning its paws can cause acute kidney failure. Cyclamen, weeping fig, boxwood, ivy, hydrangea, tulips and poinsettia are also poisonous plants for pets.
Mostly symptomatic treatment A specific antidote is only administered if the poison has been reliably detected. If the poison is unknown or if there is no antidote, symptomatic therapy such as the administration of activated charcoal to bind the toxin and infusions for forced diuresis to eliminate toxins via the kidneys is carried out. If there are corrosive and water-soluble toxins on the surface of the skin or on the fur, the cat should be washed with lukewarm water for decontamination. The administration of an emetic only makes sense within four to eight hours of oral toxin ingestion. In the event of poisoning with caustic substances, impaired consciousness or convulsions, it should be avoided. There are an infinite number of household and environmental substances that can have a toxic effect on pets. In veterinary medicine, however, poisoning occurs less often than expected.
The article can also be found in DIE PTA IN DER APOTHEKE 01/2021 from page 98.
Dr. Astrid Heinl, veterinarian
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