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Mercury poisoning: the real threat for dogs and cats Remember that your pets can get poisoned if they actually absorb mercury and the easiest way for this to happen is through food and water. Eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause onion poisoning. ", Petalia.com: "Human Foods That Poison Pets. Symptoms can vary but may include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, confusion, lethargy, unsteady gait. Sinad had to take it a few times for UTIs, and she never had any neurological problems as a result. Remember the saying, "Honest as a cat when the meat's out of reach." Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death. Siouxsie: Our research indicates that while an occasional tuna treat is okay, there are a number of hazards to regularly feeding tuna to your cat. As a result, consuming even small doses with each meal can add up quickly. Hard copy photos must have contact information on the back. Botulism, in particular, can cause concerning symptoms. Marine mammals and fish often contain substantially increased concentrations of mercury that may not be associated with clinical disease (vs for ruminant or companion animal species); however, they may be a potential source of exposure for more susceptible species, particularly the fetus or younger animals. In short: Don't take our word as gospel. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. This is why is is so imperative to take the cat to a specialist. Insurance for dogs, cats, and other household animals can run as low as $20 a month, but that cost can add up over time. In food-producing animals, considerable mercury accumulation in tissues intended as food and profound effects on reproduction limit treatment options. In one study of 20 cats poisoned by permethrin, a chemical widely used in flea control products for dogs, only one died and this was because he wasn't taken to a vet for 24 hours. If you are sending your submission by regular mail, please also enclose a SASE and keep a copy of the article for your own files. In most cases, if your cat has eaten something bad, you'll start to see symptoms appear within a few hours. An extremely lethargic cat should be taken to the vet as soon as possible, as it could be a side effect of renal failure. Although uncommon for cats to eat, the ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds, and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. The poor prognosis lack of universally effective treatment options remain concerns globally. Early detection can be the difference between life and death for your feline companion. Predatory fish at the top of the food chain may contain very elevated levels of heavy metals (including mercury), as well as PCBs, pesticides and other toxins. Cats could develop severe symptoms of mercury poisoning after getting exposed to foods with high levels of mercury for a long period. There are a lot of fish in the seabut which are safe for your cat to eat and how . The FDA has not established toxic levels of heavy metals in pet foods. Although thoroughly researched, articles are not written or edited by a veterinarian. It's a smart idea to always keep the numbers of your local vet, the closest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center -- (888) 426-4435 -- where you know you can find them in an emergency. All that just from tuna! Encephalomalacia, the loss of myelin, and necrosis of axons may also be evident. They can get cat food poisoning. Inorganic forms of mercury bind to sulfhydryl groups in enzymes and other thiol-containing molecules such as cysteine and glutathione. All forms of mercury cross the placenta. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. Both the EPA and FDA release fish advisories (see sidebar) for people due to health concerns about mercury, denoting that this health risk is very real. Common poisons include human medications, insecticides, household cleaners, plants and rodenticides. In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I had been feeding them canned tuna (always mixed with canned chicken, canned cat food and pureed baby food vegetables (green beans, pumpkin or squash) for about two years. Grapes and raisins can kill your cat. Conclusion. The owners and operators of Paws and Effect will not be liable in the event of incidental or consequential damages or loss in connection with, or arising out of, the furnishing, performance, or use of the instructions, suggestions or products on this website. 300+ Cute Cat Names for Every Kind of Kitty. 4. That's true even for the onion powder that's found in some baby foods. In humans, symptoms of methylmercury poisoning may include peripheral vision impairment, sensory disturbances (pins and needles), lack of coordination, muscle weakness, and problems with speech, hearing and walking. Because these compounds are not corrosive, gastrointestinal signs do not occur. In fact, you may be surprised to learn some of the common foods your cats should never eat. Commercial fish food products such as tuna have been associated with chronic poisoning in humans and cats. Unfortunately, health laws for meat and fish in pet foods are much more lenient than they are for human foods. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Bella: Cats can develop glaucoma, a buildup of pressure inside the eyeball, which can also lead to blindness. Tentative diagnosis is based on clinical signs; confirmed by analysis of tissue samples (eg, kidney) to determine mercury content, Measurement of urinary mercury concentration can confirm exposure to inorganic mercury compounds. Is the added expense worth the trouble to insure your beloved pet? As they are obligate carnivores, their instinct is to eat meat. Sadly, I just lost both otherwise healthy cats (12 and 9 y/o) within a period of 4 months. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. They may not be interested in playing or eating. Thomas: This page at vetinfo.com has a list of side effects of common veterinary antibiotics used on cats. RELATED: Best Cat Food and Treats for Senior Cats. Every attempt is made to return photographic material, but it is advised that you keep copies of your images. This advice on feeding and food poisoning applies to both adult dogs and adult cats. Dahlia: In short, the cause of your cats symptoms is likely to be something much more common (horses) than mercury poisoning (zebras). Like human food poisoning, cat food poisoning occurs when harmful bacteria make their way into your cat's food. Some research has found that some pet food with fish flavor contains certain levels of mercury that are beyond what is "safe" for mammals. Cats show no such signs, but that doesnt mean theyre immune to the toxic effects of mercury. Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs. Ingesting a drug prescribed for humans is one of the most common causes of poisoning in cats. Fossil fuels represent an important environmental source of mercury. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. The main culprit behind mercury poisoning in cats is the widely available commercial cat food. Dahlia: The fluoroquinolones are powerful antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for pets. Avoid feeding your cat table scraps, especially around the holidays, as these may contain potentially toxic ingredients. Some of the common signs of feline botulism include: The inorganic forms of mercury, including elemental mercury, are poorly absorbed after skin exposure. Mercury poisoning poses a serious health risk to your cat. No one questions the root cause of the disaster, which at minimum poisoned more than 2000 people: mercury in a chemical factory's wastewater that was dumped into Minamata Bay and taken up by seafood eaten by fishermen and their families. (2018). Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. Thomas: However, we hope weve helped you to know what questions to ask your vet when you take your cat back to the clinic. They contain a cyanide-type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, and shock. Get the dog moms and dads in your life something unique this year. As Veterinary and Human Toxicology explains, mercury poisoning can lead to glomerulonephropathy or nephrotic syndrome, which are kidney diseases. The Dangers of Mercury Poisoning in Cats: How to Safely Feed Fish to Your Feline. Photographs, where applicable, are also encouraged. Photo: Svetlana Rey / Shutterstock, Cailin Heinze, a veterinary nutritionist and assistant professor at the Cummings School, responds. Its the cause of most of the major kidney failures. But what about our furry feline friends? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. She has almost 30 years of experience in holistic modalities. Cats can and do survive being poisoned if they're treated early and appropriately. as a treat for your adult cat, Stregowski says that's a-okay in moderation. It's quite rare for cats to get sick due to food poisoning. Any food not specifically formulated for cats can affect the digestive system, causing vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Agitation Some cats may become more agitated after having ingested a toxic ingredient. Keeping food items where your cat can't get to them and keeping pantry and cupboard doors closed will help protect your cat from serious food-related illness. Because cats are huge fans of fishtuna, in particulartheyre more susceptible to mercury poisoning than humans. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Mackerel is also high in fish oil. chemical plant fed food mixed with wastewater to cats. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You might be wondering if there's a safe way to include omega-3 fatty acids in your cat's meals without sacrificing one of your cat's nine lives to mercury poisoning. But it's best to keep it small and infrequent. I went onto tuna as an alternative to prawns as they were expensive but they might be a more satisfying once a week treat. You may submit a maximum of two photos of each animal in your home. This highly toxic form of mercury produces corrosive bronchitis and interstitial pneumonia. Is it ever too late to learn an instrument? Click here to view our current issue of Animal Wellness Magazine. The common sign of kidney dysfunction in cats are: Related Posts: Bug Spray Poisoning Signs You Should Know Symptoms of Rat Poisoning in Cats Respiratory Infection Signs in Cats Symptoms of Intestinal Blockage in Cats. Your cat might also need additional vitamins, including vitamin E and selenium. Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Receive weekly health info straight to your inbox. While cat, dog, pig, and human deaths continued for 36 years, Chisso and the Kumamoto prefectural government did little to prevent the epidemic. We also lack data about how much mercury is actually in tuna-based cat foods, as well as statistics about mercury levels in cats that eat those diets. The considerable variation associated with the clinical manifestations related to the various forms of mercury and the duration of exposure underscores the need for repeated tissue analyses. If you suspect your cat has been poisoned, taking quick action can make all the difference in the outcome of your pet. You should always check the quality of your cat's food to ensure it is not spoiled or under recall. Kidney Disease in Cats & Sweet-Smelling Urine. Try replacing tuna-based foods with those made from fish that have lower concentrations of mercury, such as salmon. Before it's baked, bread dough needs to rise. I think some people assume it is natural to feel cats tuna this is very informative! In veterinary patients in which treatment is indicated, oral administration of activated charcoal (13 g/kg) and sodium thiosulfate (0.51 g/kg) will bind mercury and limit absorption.