Insecticide ingestion is consistently in the top 10 common toxicities for pets in addition to pesticide ingestion, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Here’s some useful information on why dogs should not consume insecticides and what to do if you suspect your dog may have eaten them.
As a cat owner you know that cats love to munch on grass occasionally. In fact, eating grass is completely normal for cats. It can help them vomit up hairballs and indigestible material. However, things can take a dangerous turn if your cat eats grass that has been treated with pesticides.
Pesticides are chemicals used to kill bugs, rodents, weeds and other pests. They are commonly sprayed on lawns and gardens. While pesticides are useful for controlling pests they can be extremely toxic to cats. Even small amounts can cause severe poisoning.
So what should you do if you find out your cat has ingested grass sprayed with pesticides? Here’s a guide on recognizing symptoms, inducing vomiting, and getting prompt veterinary treatment.
Recognizing Pesticide Poisoning in Cats
The most common pesticides used on lawns are insecticides (to kill insects), herbicides (to kill weeds), and rodenticides (to kill rodents). All of these can be very dangerous to cats.
Here are some common symptoms of pesticide poisoning to look out for:
- Excessive drooling and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors and muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of coordination
- Lethargy and depression
If you see any of these signs after your cat ate grass, suspect pesticide poisoning and take action quickly. The longer you wait, the more damage can occur.
First Aid – Inducing Vomiting
If you catch your cat right after eating pesticide-treated grass, the first thing to do is induce vomiting. This helps eliminate any toxin still in the stomach before it’s absorbed into the bloodstream.
Here are safe ways to make a cat vomit:
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Hydrogen peroxide: Give 1 teaspoon (5 ml) orally with a syringe. Can repeat once after 10 minutes if your cat hasn’t vomited.
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Salt: Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) in water and give orally.
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Soap: Liquid dishwashing soap works best. Put 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) on your finger and rub it on your cat’s gums.
Only induce vomiting if the pesticide ingestion occurred within the last 30-60 minutes. If any more time than that has elapsed, vomiting won’t help.
Never induce vomiting if your cat is unconscious or is having seizures or respiratory distress. Get emergency vet assistance immediately in those cases.
Emergency Vet Treatment
After first aid vomiting treatment at home, immediate veterinary care is strongly recommended. Your vet will determine the type and amount of pesticide ingested based on your lawn care history.
They will provide the right treatment based on the details of toxicity and exposure. Treatment may include:
- Stomach pumping and enemas to flush out the GI tract
- Intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration
- Medications to control vomiting and diarrhea
- Sedatives for agitation
- Anti-seizure medications
- Oxygen therapy for respiratory distress
Your vet will likely keep your cat hospitalized for 24-48 hours to monitor for delayed symptoms and ensure adequate recovery.
Preventing Future Pesticide Exposure
Once your catrecovers, take measures to prevent another pesticide poisoning incident:
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Restrict access to any lawns or gardens treated with pesticides. Keep your cat indoors until sprays have dried.
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Ask your lawn company to use pet-safe organic pesticide alternatives.
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Train your cat to avoid certain areas using scent deterrents.
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Keep an eye on your cat when outside and distract them from grass with toys if needed.
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Grow cat grass indoors for safe nibbling.
While scary, pesticide poisoning can often be treated with success if addressed quickly. But prevention is key to keep your cat safe. Following the tips above reduces the risks of exposure.
If you suspect your cat has ingested pesticides, don’t delay. Get first aid vomiting treatment started, and head to your vet right away. The faster you act, the better the outcome for your cat’s health. With prompt care, your beloved feline friend can make a full recovery.
Prognosis of Insecticide Poisoning in Dogs
Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial in treating insecticide poisoning in dogs. Because of the vast number of products on the market, it is impossible for the pet parent to determine which products are low toxicity or high toxicity on their own. It is crucial to use pet poison hotlines to help make this assessment.
Dogs have their best chance of survival with quick identification of the toxin ingested and treatment by a veterinarian. Insecticide poisoning can be deadly, but with prompt treatment, the prognosis is usually good. If the toxicity is severe, dogs may remain hospitalized for several days. Typically, dogs that recover go on to live normal lives with no secondary consequences.
Treatment of Insecticide Poisoning in Dogs
If you see your pet eat insecticide or see evidence of it, it is critical to immediately call your veterinarian. They will collect a thorough history, so it is important that you have the product name, packaging, or detailed label ingredients. Dogs should be treated as quickly as possible.
If your pet ate insecticide (or a bug with insecticide sprayed on it) within the past hour, your veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting at the hospital as a means of decontamination. If your dog is already showing clinical signs, it may be too late to induce vomiting due to risk of aspiration pneumonia. They may also give activated charcoal to bind any additional toxin. Activated charcoal is a medication that absorbs the toxin and then passes through the GI tract without it being absorbed. It is also important to wash off any insecticide or residue that may be present on the skin.
In severe cases (such as ingestion of an extremely toxic active ingredient or a large amount of insecticide), your pet may need to be hospitalized for IV fluids and undergo additional therapy to treat muscle twitching and seizures. A complete blood count, serum blood chemistry, and urinalysis will all likely be recommended for a baseline evaluation. Depending on the insecticide your pet was exposed to, antidotal treatments specific to the active ingredient may be available.
Your dog or cat has eaten something toxic: here is what to do
FAQ
Are lawn pesticides harmful to cats?
Time spent in a yard treated with toxic chemicals can be dangerous. Cats absorb more chemicals than dogs due to their grooming habits. Because cats are specialist carnivores, they lack certain enzymes in their liver that detoxify chemicals. This makes cats especially vulnerable to the effects of chemical exposure.
Can a yard cat recover from pesticide poisoning?
Typically, cats should be able to recover if they receive proper medical attention.
How long does pesticide poisoning last in cats?
The Recovery Timeline
Recovery from pesticide poisoning isn’t always linear. Some cats may show dramatic improvement within 24-48 hours of treatment, while others might require weeks of supportive care. Your veterinarian will provide a prognosis based on your cat’s specific situation.
What happens if a cat licks pesticide?
Insecticides: Insecticides containing organophosphates and carbamates are highly toxic to cats. Signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, muscle tremors and seizures. Insecticides that contain Pyrethrins and pyrethyoids can be toxic to cats too.