Poisons are substances that when taken into the body cause it harm and may result in death. A poison may be swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. If your pet is an indoor cat, he may encounter a poisonous substance in food, medications, and household cleaning products. An outdoor cat may be exposed to pesticides, harmful plants, poisonous animals, or animal-control poisons.

Prevention is the best form of poison management. But sometimes bad things happen. In general cats are less likely to be poisoned than dogs except for substances that get on their coats and are ingested during kitty-bathing. Here are a few symptoms that may indicate your cat has been exposed to or ingested a poison: vomiting - not related to hairballs, excessive salivation or drooling from the mouth, altered breathing, muscle tremors, wobbly gait, or bite marks.

If you believe your cat has been poisoned, you should seek veterinary attention, at least by phone immediately. If the poison is on his coat, wash the area thoroughly. If the cat has vomited, take a sample to the vet for evaluation.

In general, it is not a good idea to attempt to induce vomiting. Although milk or water given within a few minutes of ingestion may be all right, it is best to talk with a professional before doing anything but cleaning the exposed area or washing the mouth and face to remove residual substances. 

If you cannot reach your vet quickly, you can call the Animal Poison Control Center in North America 24/7. The phone number is (888) 426-4435. Additional information is available on their website. A $55 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

Posted by Barbara.