Cats can inadvertently become exposed to and potentially poisoned by weed killers. This article talks about the risks, how to stay safe, and what to do if you think your cat has been poisoned.
Weed killers or herbicides are used for the control of weeds. There are a lot of garden products on the market, but these home products (as opposed to professional agricultural products) only have a few different herbicides in them. When cats walk on treated grass or brush against wet plants and then groom themselves, they are usually exposed to weed killers during or soon after they are used. Sometimes, they may be exposed to “spray drift” or walk in or lick up weed killer spills or drips. They may also chew on plants that have been treated.
It is important to find out which particular product a cat may have been exposed to. It is important to write down the name or ingredients so that if the cat needs treatment, the vet can figure out the best way to help it. Information can also be found on a pesticides database which is freely available on the internet: see http://icatcare. org/advice/keeping- cats-safe for more information.
Glyphosate is a widely used and readily available herbicide. It is primarily available in liquid formulations but these may vary in strength. A lot of products have a surfactant called polyoxyethylene amine (POEA) in them. This makes plants more “wettable” so that the glyphosate can get through the plant’s surface.
Glyphosate isn’t very dangerous, but it’s thought that this surfactant, which is found in a lot of liquids, is what causes some of the harmful effects.
As a cat owner I was horrified when I realized my furry friend had been munching on grass I had just sprayed with pesticide. Cats often eat grass to help with digestion or to induce vomiting of hairballs. But pesticides can be extremely toxic to cats. I rushed online looking for advice on how to handle this scary situation.
Why Do Cats Eat Grass – And Why Is Pesticide Exposure So Dangerous?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to get all the nutrients they need. But they also commonly snack on grass. Vomiting is a natural protective mechanism for cats to expel things that upset their stomach or are difficult to digest. Eating grass can trigger vomiting to get rid of hairballs formed from grooming. Grass also provides fiber to aid digestion.
Unfortunately pesticides sprayed on lawns and gardens can be highly toxic to cats. Exposure can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures respiratory distress, coma or even death. The active ingredients in weed killers, insecticides, fungicides and other pesticides are designed to kill pests. But they can be just as deadly to our feline companions. Immediate veterinary treatment is essential if a cat ingests pesticides.
Signs of Pesticide Poisoning in Cats
Some common symptoms of pesticide poisoning in cats include:
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, sometimes with blood
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy, depression, weakness
- Tremors or seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid breathing or coughing
- Collapse, coma or death
The severity of symptoms depends on the type and amount of pesticide ingested, as well as the size and health of the cat. Small kittens, elderly cats and cats with other health conditions are most at risk. But even healthy adult cats can suffer serious effects from pesticide exposure.
If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms shortly after possible pesticide exposure, don’t wait – get to the vet right away! The longer toxins circulate in the body, the higher the risk of catastrophic damage.
First Aid Steps To Take If Your Cat Ingests Pesticides
If you catch your cat in the act of eating grass or another substance recently treated with pesticides, quick action on your part can help reduce the severity of poisoning:
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Safely confine the cat immediately to prevent further ingestion. Wear gloves to avoid skin exposure yourself.
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Check the product label for first aid instructions. Organophosphates and carbamates may advise giving atropine.
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Call your veterinarian or emergency vet clinic for advice. They may recommend inducing vomiting if ingestion just occurred.
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If advised to induce vomiting, use 3% hydrogen peroxide by syringe or turkey baster. Dose is 1 teaspoon (5 ml) per 5 pounds of body weight.
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Never induce vomiting if the cat is unconscious or having seizures.
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If instructed, follow with activated charcoal to absorb toxins in the GI tract. A vet must advise dosage.
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Rush the cat to the vet clinic as soon as possible for proper evaluation and treatment. Take the product label with ingredients.
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Be prepared to provide details about the type and approximate amount of product ingested and when.
Getting immediate competent veterinary care offers the best hope for recovery if a cat ingests pesticides. Don’t waste precious time looking up info online or trying home remedies. Call the vet promptly for tailored guidance based on the specific poisoning situation.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Pesticide Poisoning in Cats
At the vet clinic, the doctor will ask about the product and amount ingested, when it happened, and symptoms observed. They will examine the cat for signs of pesticide toxicity like excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea or neurological problems.
Initial screening tests like a complete blood count, biochemistry profile and urinalysis can reveal abnormalities pointing to poisoning like low glucose, electrolyte imbalances, kidney/liver damage and anemia. Specific toxin tests on blood or urine may be warranted depending on the pesticide suspected.
Treatment focuses on identifying and controlling clinical signs and minimizing further pesticide absorption and damage. Key steps may include:
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Inducing vomiting if ingestion was very recent
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Gastric lavage under anesthesia to flush toxins from the stomach
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Activated charcoal to bind toxins in the GI tract
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IV fluids with electrolytes for hydration and kidney support
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Medications to control vomiting and seizures
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Oxygen therapy and respiration support
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Monitoring and supportive hospital care for 2-7 days
With aggressive veterinary treatment started very promptly after exposure, many cats poisoned by pesticides fully recover. However, in severe cases damage can be irreversible leading to lifelong impairment or death. Prevention is by far the best approach – keep cats away from any area recently treated with pesticides!
Keeping Cats Safe Around Pesticide Use
Here are some tips to keep your curious cats out of harm’s way when using pesticides at home or in the yard:
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Read all product labels carefully and follow safety precautions. Never assume something is harmless.
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Keep cats completely confined indoors when applying pesticides outdoors and until areas are completely dry.
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Avoid spot-on flea treatments if you have dogs and cats in the same household. Oral or injected treatments are safer.
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Pick up any granules or debris from pesticides sprinkled on soil. Cats may eat them when grooming paws.
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Offer cat-safe plants like oat grass, wheat grass or catnip to munch instead of outdoor grass. Grow in pots just for them.
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Ventilate areas very well before allowing cats back in after indoor pesticide use. Limit their access until all treated surfaces are completely dry.
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Securely store all pesticides out of reach of pets. Safely dispose of old products rather than letting them accumulate.
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Post warnings on doors if service personnel have recently applied pesticides so everyone keeps cats away.
By taking a few simple precautions, we can let cats indulge their grass-munching instincts without putting them at risk. Being vigilant will keep our feline companions healthy and safe from the dangers of pesticides.
Signs of glyphosate poisoning
Vomiting, anorexia and lethargy are common signs in cats after glyphosate exposure. There may also be diarrhoea, tremors, drowsiness and dilated pupils. Severe respiratory signs are a feature of glyphosate exposure in cats and can be fatal. Eye and skin irritation are also possible after exposure to glyphosate-containing products.
If the cat gets a product containing glyphosate on its fur or feet, it should be thoroughly washed. In the event that a cat eats a small amount, preferably a weak solution from grooming or licking a spill or a wet plant, the vet may rinse the cat’s mouth out and give it oral fluids. If there is definite ingestion, the vet will give more serious treatment.
The chlorophenoxy derivative weed killers include 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid), MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), mecoprop and dichlorprop. They are frequently found in combinations in products and are also used in lawn feed and weed products. They are available in granular form or as liquid.
Signs of poisoning with chlorophenoxy derivatives
These compounds are irritants and can cause salivation, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and lethargy. In the worst cases, there may be blood in the poop, loss of appetite, getting weaker over time, and sores in the mouth.
Treatment of poisoning from chlorophenoxy derivatives is supportive. There is no specific antidote. Most of the time, exposure is very low, and all that needs to be done is to clean the paws and fur with a detergent, wash the mouth out with water, rehydrate, and treat vomiting.
Ferrous sulphate is used as a moss killer. You can buy the chemical itself, but you’ll most often find it in lawn feed, weed killer, and moss killer products. These have a fertilizer (the feed), a herbicide (the weed killer, which is usually a chlorophenoxy derivative), and ferrous sulphate (the moss killer).
During the growing season, these products are usually used to bring the lawn back to life. They come in two forms: granular products that can be sprinkled on the lawn and products that can be mixed with water and poured over the lawn.
The Scoop on Cats and Grass: Is it safe? Is it healthy?
What is insecticide poisoning in cats?
insecticide poisoning is a specific diagnosis linked to exposure to insecticide. Once the problem has been identified, general supportive treatment, as well as treatment that’s specific to the type of insecticide, can be given. What are the symptoms of insecticide poisoning in cats?
Are insecticides toxic to cats?
Several common household insecticides are toxic to cats. Many of the products you use on your lawn or to treat fleas on your dog can be dangerous, or even lethal, to cats. Lawn and garden insecticides can be introduced into your cat’s body through his paws when he walks on a newly treated lawn, or from grooming afterward.
Can pesticides cause vomiting in cats?
Pesticides contain toxic chemicals that can irritate and inflame a cat’s stomach lining, leading to vomiting. This symptom may occur immediately after exposure or several hours later. Along with vomiting, other gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain may also be present. But that’s not all.
How do you treat Insecticide toxicity in cats?
Following oral toxicity, vomiting may be induced, gastric lavage may be carried out, activated charcoal may be given, and enemas may be adminstered. Following dermal exposure, a cat may be washed in detergent to remove all traces of insecticide. As well as the above, specific treatment may be given which depends on the type of insecticide.