Poisoning By Ingestion

Cats are very sensible with regard to what they eat. A lucky consequence of this feline characteristic is that the accidental poisonings are less frequent. When they happen, the majority of the times they are due to an application of anti fleas insecticide, or to the administration of aspirins -very dangerous drug for the cats - to relieve the pain. Felines also poison themselves by licking the chemical toxic products or abrasives that still are adhered. Unfortunately, sometimes they are an object at the same time as of poisoning disposed.

Is the cat unconscious?   YES
Go to the veterinarian    NOW

Has he stopped breathing?   YES
Give CPR. Go to the veterinarian  NOW

Has he convulsions?   YES
Go to the veterinarian      NOW

Has he taken or eaten any unknown substance?   YES
Go to the veterinarian       NOW

Has he taken or eaten any known substance, as acid, alkali or any other oil based?     YES
Do not persuade to the vomit. Go to the veterinarian   NOW

Does the cat behave in an abnormal way in any sense?  YES
Phone to the veterinarian for advice

Monitor Possible Shock

• Pale or whitish gums
• Agitated breath
• Weak or accelerated pulse
• Coldness of the extremities
• General weakness.
• Do not panic. If the cat has suffered a shock or is unconscious, keep the airways clear, give respiratory and circulatory assistance, and go to the veterinarian immediately
• If he has convulsions, prevent that he damage himself or that he bites to you or to others, and go to the veterinarian immediately.
• If he has consumed the poison in the last two hours (but it is not an acid, alkali or derivative of the oil) make him vomit it by giving him a big crystal of commercial soda*, salt or oxygenated water diluted to 3 per cent, in this last case one little spoon for every 15 minutes until the vomit is induced. This method only is effective when he has introduced the poison in the last four hours ( do not administer to the cat commercial soda or any other emetics unless the cat is conscious and alert.)

* Do not confuse with the caustic soda (sodic hydróxide NaOH). The difference is that the commercial soda is called sodium carbonate pentahydrated. (Na2CO3-10H2O).

The following domestic products are acids, alkalis or oil derivatives:

• Caustic soda
• Bleacher in powder
• Soap in powder for dishwasher
• Products for pulling out
• Kerosene
• Detergent for clothes
• Dye
• Oven Cleaners
• Paint thinners
• Paint solvents
• Gasoline
• Polishers for furniture and floors
• Products for cleaning shoes
• Products for cleaning the bathroom
• Products for the conservation of wood

1. Give him one or two small spoonfuls of a suspension of coal activated in water. (It will help absorb any remnant of the poison)
2. .
3. If you do not know what poison is it, do not throw the vomit; pick up a sample and take to the veterinarian. Consult him as soon as possible.
5. If you know the ingested poison, phone the veterinarian or a research organization that has poison antidotes, as the National Institute of Toxicology (Service of Toxicological Information), to ask for instructions.
6. If symptoms of poisoning appear provide him with first aids and take the cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

If the cat consumes an alkali, acid or derivative of the oil, do not induce the vomit:

• If coal is an acid, give him an egg white with baking soda, in powder or olive oil for oral route.
• Apply a paste of baking soda to any burn that he has in the mouth
• If the skin has burned, wash it for a minimum of fifteen minutes with clean tap water
• If it is a question of an alkali, give him egg white or small quantities of juice of some citric or vinegar. Take Care; if you spill vinegar in big quantities on the alkali, there is a risk of burning the skin and the mouth.
• Go to the veterinarian immediately.