Snail and Slug Bait Poisoning in Cats

Snail and slug bait poisoning is an emergency as the ingestion of just under a teaspoonful can be lethal to cats.

The only way to increase the animal's chances of survival is immediate medical attention, as untreated cases result in death.

Symptoms of metaldehyde poisoning may occur within a minute from ingestion up to three hours after.

Early onset symptoms of metaldehyde poisoning include:

• Panting
• Pacing and restlessness

As the condition progresses, the animal's symptoms worsen.

If the condition is left untreated, the acidosis worsens, and the animal's symptoms progress:

• Lethargy
• Rigid and abnormal posture; “stargazing”(opisthotonos)
• Frequent convulsions
• Unresponsiveness to stimuli

Non lethal doses of metaldehyde poisoning can cause secondary complications, including:

• Aspiration pneumonia
• Blindness

Metaldehyde toxicosis is caused by the ingestion of metaldehyde (a cyclic polymer of acetaldehyde), the most common active component of slug and snail repellents.

Snail bait can present as:

• Granules
• Sprays
• Dust
• Pellets
• Grains
• Bait

Metaldehyde is the most common form of molluscicide worldwide due to its effectiveness.

The lethal dose of metaldehyde in cats is very low, and less than a teaspoonful of many commercially-available products can lead to death.

Once ingested, metaldehyde is absorbed by the animal's GI tract and metabolized, causing gastrointestinal and central nervous system damage leading to vomiting, incoordination, elevated body temperature, seizures, coma, and death. The specific mechanism of the toxin is currently unknown.

Currently, there is no specific diagnostic test to definitively confirm metaldehyde poisoning. Other intoxicants can present similar clinical signs. Animals presenting symptoms of metaldehyde poisoning generally undergo the following diagnostics:

• Analysis of gastric contents
• History of exposure
• Physical examination
• Serum and blood tests

No antidote or specific treatment for metaldehyde toxicosis is currently available. Initial treatment is focused on patient stabilization.

Treatment options are of a symptomatic and supportive nature, and include:

• Induced vomiting (within two hours from ingestion)
• Activated charcoal
• Keeping the animal in a quiet and safe environment with no overstimulation
• Anti-seizure medication (Diazepam)

Note: Induction of vomiting or administration of activated charcoal should only be performed by a veterinarian. There is no safe way to induce vomiting or administer activated charcoal at home.

Animals who survive require frequent and regular monitoring.

Prognosis of metaldehyde toxicosis is dependent on the amount of toxin ingested, the timing of treatment, and the severity of symptoms developed.

If the animal receives proper treatment prior to the onset of symptoms, prognosis is generally good.

Once the animal develops symptoms of poisoning, prognosis varies from guarded to poor; early aggressive symptomatic treatment is required to ensure the animal's recovery, and the outcome is primarily dependent on the dose.

In a best case scenario, affected animals are able to recover within three days.

If the animal does not receive medical attention, or if treatment is delayed, prognosis is extremely poor, with most animals dying within hours from ingestion.

Metaldehyde poisoning is easily preventable by ensuring that pets do not enter into contact with metaldehyde-containing products. Strategies include:

• Not applying metaldehyde in areas accessible to pets
• Buying pet-friendly alternatives to metaldehyde
• Proper storage and disposal of metaldehyde-counting products

Metaldehyde toxicosis is an uncommon condition in cats.

• Emesis
• Activated charcoal
• Keeping the animal in a quiet and safe environment with no overstimulation
• Diazepam