Cat toxin ingestion

Lead poisoning in cats is caused by the presence of toxic amounts of lead in the body. When lead poisoning does occur in cats, it is thought to be from self-grooming of lead-containing particles from the fur, but in most cases, there is no known exposure. 

Coral snake bite poisoning occurs when a coral snake bites, and delivers venom, into a cat. Coral snakes are part of the *Elapidae* family, and are found in the southeastern United States and Australia.

Pit viper bites are venomous bites from snakes of the crotalid family. Crotalids include rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths (water moccasins). All known or suspected snake bites in cats require emergency veterinary attention.

In cats, gums normally appear to be smooth with a salmon-pink color. Red gums or gums spotted with a brown, bright pink, red, or purple coloration are caused by hemorrhage of the mucosal surface called petechiae or ecchymosis.

Gagging, or retching, describes muscular contraction of the throat that appears similar to the initial stages of vomiting or coughing, but is distinct from both these processes. Causes of gagging include hairballs, eating excessively fast, nausea, inflammation of the throat or the esophagus...

Weakness describes a lack of power and energy available to the body. In cats, evidence of weakness includes fatigue after activity, difficulty executing athletic movements, asymmetry in the position of the body, difficulty rising, muscle shaking, and difficulty holding up the head.

Alcohol poisoning occurs when a cat ingests, inhales, or absorbs a sufficient quantity of alcohol. Symptoms include sleepiness, incoordination, vomiting, disorientation, and increased urination.

Zinc toxicosis in cats is a very rare but severe condition resulting from the ingestion of a toxic dose of zinc. The most common source of this toxicity are US pennies minted after 1983. Symptoms range from gastrointestinal upset to symptoms associated with organ failure, seizures, and even death.

Vitamin D3 poisoning occurs when a pet consumes too much vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Common sources of vitamin D3 that cats are exposed to are human topical pharmaceuticals and some types of rodenticides.

Botulism is caused by ingestion of raw meat or carrion contaminated with the neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Initial symptoms may include diarrhea and vomiting related to the ingestion of spoiled meat.

Loss of consciousness in cats is when the animal is not aware of its surroundings and is not awake. Unconscious cats are responsive only to strong, unpleasant stimuli such as a toe pinch, but not to sounds or touch.

Ptyalism is excessive drooling. The symptom is associated with a wide variety of conditions, such as oral or esophageal inflammation, tumors in or around the mouth, foreign objects stuck in the mouth, stress, and poisoning.

Facial paralysis in cats is a disorder of the cranial nerve that controls the muscles of the face. Possible causes include injury, ear infection, nerve inflammation, and tumors.

Organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates (CMs) are compounds commonly found in agricultural pesticides, herbicides, as well as flea and tick collars. Toxicity occurs following ingestion or skin exposure. Organophosphate or carbamate poisoning is a life threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.

Lily toxicosis is caused in cats by ingestion of a toxic dose of any form of the plants belonging to the *Lilium* genus (e.g. Asiatic, Easter, Japanese, Oriental, Stargazer, Tiger, and Wood lilies). The precise mechanism of lily poisoning in cats is unknown.

Polydipsia in cats is a noticeable increase in thirst. Cats who drink in excess of 100 milliliters of water for every kilogram of body weight (approx 1.5oz per lb) are considered polydipsic.

NSAID poisoning in cats describes the serious condition where cats ingest a toxic dose of Non-Steroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

Ethylene glycol, commonly found in antifreeze, is found in a wide variety of household products and is toxic to cats and dogs.

Blue gums are the most noticeable symptom of cyanosis. Cyanosis is the blue or purple discoloration of mucous membranes or skin caused by poor oxygenation.

Nystagmus is the involuntary, erratic movement of the eyes, generally caused by conditions affecting the cat’s nervous or vestibular (balance) system

Head tilt refers to an abnormal posture of the head, where the head is tilted to one side with one ear lower than the other.

Rodent baits are commonly used for pest control and are similarly lethal to cats.

Mushroom poisoning is rare in cats, but is potentially fatal depending on the type of mushroom ingested.

Head pressing in cats is a behavior where the cat presses its head against a wall or other inanimate object for a prolonged period without obvious awareness of its surroundings.

Ataxia means “difficulty walking”. An ataxic cat has difficulty controlling the movements of the head, legs, or torso.

Dyspnea is when a cat has difficulty inhaling or exhaling and isn't getting enough oxygen.

Yellow eyes, ears, or skin on a cat is called jaundice, or icterus. It is associated with liver damage and damage to red blood cells.

Xylitol toxicosis occurs in cats following ingestion of a toxic dose of this common artificial sweetener.

Mothballs in any form (cubes, balls, flakes, cakes, scales, powder) contain pesticides, such as camphor, naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are toxic to cats.

Anticoagulant poisons are commonly used for pest control of rodents. Cats occasionally consume toxic doses of these poisons and subsequently develop life-threatening internal bleeding.