A cat that is poisoned should get immediate assistance to prevent renal failure and death. There are numerous foods, rat poison, antifreeze, pesticides, medication, ingested poisoned small animals and plants that may be poisonous to your cat. Your cat can roam in different places, so he may get poisoning. Detecting the signs of poisoning can save your pet’s life.
1. Lethargy
A poisoned cat will be lethargic and present general weakness. This should alarm you if your playful cat suddenly turns into a quiet one.
2. Agitation
Some cats may become more agitated after having ingested a toxic ingredient. The cat will walk aimlessly and will lick his fur excessively or chew his paws as a sign of stress and agitation.
3. Excessive Drooling
Excessive drooling may be a sign of poisoning. Your cat cannot control his salivary glands; there may also be foam around your cat’s mouth.
Please note that excessive drooling may also be caused by the presence of food or scents, tooth decay or a tumor located in the oral cavity.
4. Vomiting
A cat that has ingested a toxic food will start vomiting 2 to 4 hours after the ingestion. When the food starts to break down, the cat’s system will respond negatively and vomiting may occur. In some cases, there may be blood in the vomit.
Vomiting is beneficial for a poisoned cat, as this will eliminate parts of the ingested toxic substance.
In case you know your cat has ingested a toxic food, you can induce vomiting as soon as possible; give your pet a solution of 3% hydroxide peroxide diluted in water and this may eliminate the contents of the cat’s stomach, preventing the toxic substance to enter the blood flow and cause renal failure or other complications.
5. Lack of Balance or Coordination
If your cat starts to lose his balance or coordination, this may be due to the ingestion of a poisonous substance.
This symptom only occurs after at least 4 hours after the ingestion of the substance.
6. Diarrhea
The toxic substance irritates the stomach and intestinal tract of the cat, so diarrhea is common. By this time, the toxic substance is already in the blood flow, but the cat can still be healed.
7. Rapid and Superficial Breathing
A poisoned cat will have rapid and superficial breathing. If this occurs suddenly, it is a clear sign of toxicity.
8. Seizures
If the cat has a seizure, this means that the toxic substance is already in the cat’s blood flow and the cat is at high risk. You need to take your cat to the vet immediately, to prevent death.
9. Coma
Coma occurs in the last stage of poisoning; when a cat is in coma due to a toxic substance, this means that his body has been attacked and shuts down. This condition is severe and even if the cat wakes up from the coma, he may suffer from brain damage.
As soon as you observe one or several of these poisoning symptoms, you have to rush to a veterinary clinic. The vet needs to administrate an antidote or to eliminate the contents of the cat’s stomach.