can cats get mercury poisoning from cat food can cats get mercury poisoning from cat food

Some other foods that are poisonous to cats include alcohol, raw or undercooked eggs, meat or fish, and yeast dough. Because these compounds are not corrosive, gastrointestinal signs do not occur. Behavior changes can include lethargy or over-activity such as pacing or increased anxiety. These symptoms are typically sudden and signal that a trip to the vet is necessary. Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links; we will earn a commision, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through one of our links. Thomas: This page at vetinfo.com has a list of side effects of common veterinary antibiotics used on cats. 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. As it swells inside, the dough can stretch the abdomen and cause severe pain. (2018). Can my cat get mercury poisoning from fish? (5) Jupiter Images Unlimited and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, (9) Jupiter Images Unlimited and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, (14)Dorling Kindersley / Getty and iStockphoto, (16)Cultura / Getty and Jupiter Images Unlimited, (17)Jupiter Images Unlimited and Photlibrary, (18)FoodPix and Dorling Kindersley / Getty, , PetEducation.com: "Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Cat. Please let us know how things turn out. The inhalation of corrosive elemental mercury vapors at high concentrations produces severe dyspnea and compromised respiratory function that is usually fatal. The vet prescribed antibiotic prophylactically. An email will be sent to you with each new issue that is published. The best treatment is by preventing mercury poisoning in the first place, so be sure to keep dangerous products locked away out of your cat's reach and limit the amount of fish they consume. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. It's vital to get your cat to the vet as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. 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. pls let me know if this is a possibility. Siouxsie: Please keep in mind that this information is not in any way intended to be a diagnosis. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. Keep hazardous foods, plants, and household products out of reach. Additionally, certain plants like rhubarb are toxic to felines, as are a handful of household products. But it's best to keep it small and infrequent. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Im concerned that he may have mercury poisoning as I have given him tuna on a regular basis. This is why is is so imperative to take the cat to a specialist. Dahlia: Mama says Thomas had to take Baytril before, when he was a wee, sick shelter kitty, and hes just fine! Common poisons include human medications, insecticides, household cleaners, plants and rodenticides. Diagnosis may be confirmed on the basis of the clinical picture, histopathologic findings and results of analysis of tissue analysis for mercury concentration. As always, ask your trusted veterinarian about the addition of supplements to your cat's diet. Mercury is linked to a large number of kidney diseases in humans. So it's possible that mercury poisoning happens, but is not diagnosed. Some of the most common symptoms of mercury poisoning in cats include lack of appetite, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, incoordination, over-excitement, irritability, stiff hind legs, convulsions, breath irregularities, tremor, and blindness. Heres what you need to know about why cats purr and what your cat may be telling you when her motor is running. They may exhibit distress by pacing, using vocal calls, or generally acting irritated. Other symptoms that could alert your vet include: Your cat might also show signs of difficulty breathing, or other breath irregularities. Mainly, too much fish over a long period of time could lead to mercury poisoning in cats . The cats began to convulse, then became paralyzed . Please include your name, address and telephone number or email address, along with your animals name, sex and age (if known) and a short description of the photo. Symptoms usually start within hours or several days of eating the food. 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. Receive weekly health info straight to your inbox. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. While mercury in fish and shellfish is a widespread problem, it doesnt mean you have to eliminate it entirely from your cats diet. As Veterinary and Human Toxicology explains, mercury poisoning can lead to glomerulonephropathy or nephrotic syndrome, which are kidney diseases. Death often occurs within hours at high levels of exposure. Acute or chronic toxicoses in animals can result from exposure to feed or bedding contaminated with toxins produced read more such as T-2 toxin or thiamine deficiency should be considered. 1. Bella: Cats can develop glaucoma, a buildup of pressure inside the eyeball, which can also lead to blindness. DonateSponsor Adopt a cat Find a cat Choosing a cat Preparing for a cat Buying a kitten Adopt a cat FAQs What is our adoption fee? The most common cause of mercury poisoning is from eating seafood, but people can get mercury poisoning from industrial processing, thermometers and blood pressure machines, dental. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, signs of mercury poisoning in cats may include over-excitement, irritability, incoordination, convulsions, stiff hind legs, tremors and blindness. Albacore tuna contains 3 times more mercury than traditional tinned tunas, so mercury poisoning is far more likely. Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Both cats and humans can get mercury poisoning if they eat too much tuna over a long period of time. Mercury exists in a variety of chemical forms, including elemental mercury (eg, thermometers, light bulbs), inorganic mercurial (mercuric or mercurous) salts (eg, batteries, latex paints), and organic mercury (aryl, methyl, or ethyl). And there is no antidote. Chronic exposure in fish and wildlife species associated with the bioaccumulation of mercury in the environment remains a problem. Because cats are huge fans of fishtuna, in particulartheyre more susceptible to mercury poisoning than humans. The Benefits of Tuna for Cats. And that can of tuna can be just as dangerous. Food Poisoning In Cats Symptoms. When poisoning is suspected, concentrations >6 mg/kg (blood), 10 mg/kg (kidney), 0.5 mg/kg (brain), and 4 mg/kg (feed, dry wt) are consistent with a diagnosis of mercury poisoning. Mainly, too much fish over a long period of time could lead to mercury poisoning in cats. Poisoning is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary care. Ive mostly recovered now (with patially numb hands and tinnitus that may never go away); but as I look back I realize that 15 years ago, my then also serious health issues were caused by excessive tuna consumption. A human would get some sort of signal that she was getting ill from exposure to this heavy metal but a cat wouldnt exhibit any signs of sickness unless the exposure was much, much higher. Common neurologic manifestations include blindness, ataxia, incoordination, tremors, abnormal behavior, hypermetria, nystagmus (cats), and tonic-clonic convulsions. Is the added expense worth the trouble to insure your beloved pet? "Toxic effects tend to develop after prolonged ingestion of seafood that causes a buildup of mercury in the body.". Consequently, the prognosis for a complete recovery is very poor. I have noticed that he sometimes prefers to climb the chair arm rather than jump these days and has also objected to being touched on his back legs at times. Symptoms of food poisoning often include upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. 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. So it's possible that mercury poisoning happens, but is not diagnosed. In addition, heavy salivation, tremors, and seizures may also signal liver damage. Talking with your vet about the cat food you provide and following the directions on the label will help ensure your cat's diet is balanced and your cat stays healthy. Thomas: So what are the symptoms of mercury poisoning? Cerebellar atrophy or hypoplasia and Purkinje cell degeneration are seen. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Thomas: Cats can develop cataracts, opaque spots in the front of the eyeball that block light and blur vision. Those symptoms are the reason mercury poisoning is also called the dancing cat disease. You will receive a 1 Year Digital Subscription to North Americas #1 Natural Health Magazine for Dogs & Cats. Similarly, acaricides are substances that can destroy mites. The higher the proof, the worse the symptoms. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. It is often referred to as arsenic metal, and for toxicological purposes read more , thallium, or cadmium; insecticides Overview of Insecticide and Acaricide (Organic) Toxicosis in Animals Insecticides are any substance or a mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate insects. There are a lot of fish in the seabut which are safe for your cat to eat and how often? Therefore, the vast majority of "food poisoning" episodes occur in dogs. A liquid solution is also made in the form of ear drops to treat ear infections. Symptoms were lethargy and weight loss with slight imbalance toward the end. Until veterinarians know more, limit your cats tuna consumption to occasional treats of canned chunk-light tunanot albacore, which is from a larger species of tuna with mercury levels almost three times higher. Due to the its corrosive nature, inorganic mercury produces primarily gastrointestinal signs, including anorexia, stomatitis, pharyngitis, vomiting, diarrhea, pain; as well as shock, dyspnea, and dehydration. Do not, however, send book-length manuscripts. Does your dog have recurring ear infections? Even if we were licensed vets, wed never make a diagnosis without seeing your cat and performing diagnostic tests! "Modern cats may develop organic mercury poisoning over time if they primarily eat cat food containing tuna, mackerel, and other types of seafood," says Jenna Stregowski, RVT and Daily Paws' health and behavior editor. In addition to onions, garlic, which is 5 times as potent as onions,and chives can each cause major health and potentioanally life threatening problems. As the kidney is the main target organ in which mercury accumulates, I can easily extrapolate that the high fish content in many cat foods is contributing to the large number of cases of renal disease we are now seeing in felines. Excessive vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs that your cat might have taken . 2. 300+ Cute Cat Names for Every Kind of Kitty. Tuna is a saltwater fish eaten all over the world. 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.