All forms of mercury cross the placenta. 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. Any food not specifically formulated for cats can affect the digestive system, causing vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. The type of glaucoma cats get is extremely . However, it can contain high levels . Mainly, too much fish over a long period of time could lead to mercury poisoning in cats . A common culprit is none other than your cat's favorite snacktuna (deep breath, tuna is okay in moderation). And my cat also developed bizarre symptoms: within the space of a few months, every one of its teeth became loose and fell out, and it produced excessive saliva. They include misbalance, difficulty in walking, and incoordination. Photo: Svetlana Rey / Shutterstock, Cailin Heinze, a veterinary nutritionist and assistant professor at the Cummings School, responds. Learn the signs and symptoms of cat food poisoning so you can prevent severe illness or even fatality. If youd like to help us pay for our hosting costs, please consider supporting our Patreon campaign or making a one-time donation through PayPal. Mercury poisoning is caused by exposure to mercury and damages the nervous system *. Excessive vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs that your cat might have taken . It is important to point out that there are other diseases and conditions in cats which can lead to similar symptoms to salmonella poisoning. There are many ways that cats can get poisoned by ingesting things commonly found around the home. Cats will seek out antifreeze as they find its smell and taste appealing. But it takes far less to do its damage. Behavior changes can include lethargy or over-activity such as pacing or increased anxiety. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging. Dahlia: Cats that eat too much tuna can develop other nutrient deficiencies, because most de-boned fish doesnt have enough calcium, sodium, iron, copper, and is also lacking in several other vitamins. Receive weekly health info straight to your inbox. I did find some interesting articles though: Here is an article that looked at mercury levels in tissues of cats fed mercury contaminated tuna. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. Click here to view our current issue of Animal Wellness Magazine. 1. MSNBC.com: "'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet. Thomas: Cats can develop cataracts, opaque spots in the front of the eyeball that block light and blur vision. The poor prognosis lack of universally effective treatment options remain concerns globally. thank you very much. Concentrations in all tissues may be substantially higher after chronic exposure. 2. Learn more about how to keep your cat safe from toxic substances. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea. Both fat and bones may be dangerous for cats. Avoid feeding your cat table scraps, especially around the holidays, as these may contain potentially toxic ingredients. Here's what you should know about mercury poisoning in cats. Infectious diseases, including hog cholera Classical Swine Fever , erysipelas Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Infection , and feline parvovirus Feline Panleukopenia , may resemble mercury poisoning. Stregowski says to keep an eye out for these signs of mercury poisoning in cats. 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. Yes, cats can get Salmonella. Similarly, acaricides are substances that can destroy mites. All Rights Reserved. Perform any additional tasks (liking a Facebook page, captioning a photo, submitting a story, etc.) They will likely want to review your cat's dietary history in depth to rule out possible sources of infection. As a result, consuming even small doses with each meal can add up quickly. Food Poisoning In Cats Symptoms. When a cat eats tuna as its main diet, it ingests far more mercury on a body-weight basis than a human doeseven a person who eats a lot of tuna. Thomas: So, if your cat is suffering from mercury toxicity, it can be treated. https://animalwellnessmagazine.com/author/dkhalsa/, [gravityform id=7 title=true description=true ajax=true]. Mainly, too much fish over a long period of time could lead to mercury poisoning in cats. Most poisons do not have antidotes; rather, the usual procedure is to give the cat supportive care until the toxins are metabolized out of his system. Send a digital photo, scanned at a minimum of 5 x 7, at 300dpi resolution in a jpeg, tif or pdf format to info@animalwellnessmagazine.com, or send a good quality hard copy original photo (not a color photocopy) to: Photo Contest, Animal Wellness Magazine Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: A couple of months ago, my 9-year-old male cat became quite ill. His symptoms were primarily lethargy and decreased appetite. Chelation therapy may be useful if treatment is started soon after exposure, before nephrotoxic effects become severe. An extremely lethargic cat should be taken to the vet as soon as possible, as it could be a side effect of renal failure. Mackerel is also high in fish oil. Government of Canada: Mercury in the Food Chain, Risk Assessment Information System: Formal Toxicity Summary for Mercury, World Health Organization: Water Quality Guidelines, Environmental Protection Agency: Basic Information about Mercury. Mercury poisoning is a big issue, especially when it comes to fish and shellfish. Similar conversions may also occur in the body. Sadly, mercury can be found abundantly in birds and fish. It's OK to give cats tuna as a treat "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. Ive called poison control ive called animal poison control ive tried angel memorial. Some cat parents believe that the bones and raw food (B.A.R.F.) Recently I was diagnosed with mercury poisoning, probably from my having eaten 7-8 cans of tuna per week over a period of nine months (I was exercising vigorously, but didnt want to include red meat in my diet, so tuna seemed a good alternative). Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. In domestic animal species, clinical signs of nervous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive systems involvement are typical and influenced by the form, dose, and duration of exposure. We took him to the vet where his blood work revealed an elevated neutrophil count, but his white blood cell count was otherwise normal. Paws and Effect will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In food-producing animals, considerable mercury accumulation in tissues intended as food and profound effects on reproduction limit treatment options. Encephalomalacia, the loss of myelin, and necrosis of axons may also be evident. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They limit the damage done by mercury and increase metabolism and thyroid function. Yet many of my clients who have cats in kidney failure entice them to eat by adding tuna to their meals. Mercury poisoning is a scary issue that puts the life of our pets in danger. Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. This veterinarian-reviewed article goes over the causes and symptoms of food poisoning in cats. Grapes and raisins can kill your cat. Thomas: In very rare cases, cats receiving high doses of Baytril have developed severe, irreversible vision problems. Inorganic forms of mercury bind to sulfhydryl groups in enzymes and other thiol-containing molecules such as cysteine and glutathione. If tuna is fed occasionally, its not a big deal but if you feed him tuna every day, you could be risking mercury poisoning. For that reason, its safer to carefully examine the labels of certain canned foods before feeding them to your cat. We regret that photos cannot be returned. Occasional tuna treats are probably safe, but weadvise against feeding your cat tuna-based foods on a daily basis. At the time, I also regularly fed my cat tuna. At high levels, aflatoxins . However, a lack of treatment can cause the symptoms to become more severe and life-threatening. In most cases, if your cat has eaten something bad, you'll start to see symptoms appear within a few hours. Dahlia: The fluoroquinolones are powerful antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for pets. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors. Early detection can be the difference between life and death for your feline companion. o [alopecia OR hair loss ], , DVM, PhD, Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. 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 small quantities, there's nothing wrong with that for cats, but in high quantities, it can lead to a depletion in Vitamin E, causing deficiencies. The townspeople called this mysterious illness the "dancing cat disease." They also noticed that there were dead fish floating on the sea and dead . Ive never fed my cats a ton of tuna, but sometimes let them lick the leftovers in the can. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. RaiseACat.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 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. If cats are eating these foods regularly, they could be eating high levels of mercury and methylmercury. 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. 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. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. If you believe your cat has ingested mercury, contact your vet and call the Pet Poison Control Hotline at (855) 764-7661. Ingesting a drug prescribed for humans is one of the most common causes of poisoning in cats. 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. They can get cat food poisoning. It makes sense to also limit the amount of fish your cat eats. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. It's important to note that kittens and older senior cats are especially prone to poisoning due to their weakened immune systems. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. So it's possible that mercury poisoning happens, but is not diagnosed. Creative commons photos used in posts must be shared with original artist credits intact. Although uncommon for cats to eat, the ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds, and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. Fossil fuels represent an important environmental source of mercury. These symptoms necessitate a call or trip to an emergency veterinarian. Thomas: This is still a bit on the zebra-ish side, because very few antibiotics have neurological side effects, and even for those that do have known neurological side effects, the incidence of these effects is incredibly rare. Cats are especially more liable to that danger, as their diet normally carries a huge amount of fish. An email will be sent to you with each new issue that is published. Like many other types of fish, tuna has large amounts of mercury as well. CAN: 202-160 Charlotte St., Peterborough, ON K9J 2T8. Compromised kidney function in cats over ten or 12 years of age is epidemic. Thanks in advance! ", Pets.ca: "Cat Treats table scraps Can I Give My Cat Treats. Its going to be hard to get him off the tuna habit as he is very vocal but I think I need to cut down to maybe one day a week treat and see if he becomes more agile. They do have many of the same ingredients. However, preventing your cat from eating fish at all isnt an optimal solution. When it comes to dry cat food, it's hard to beat Hill's Science Diet. Most cats are lactose-intolerant. The Benefits of Tuna for Cats. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition. Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your cat. While mercury in fish and shellfish is a widespread problem, it doesnt mean you have to eliminate it entirely from your cats diet. Depending on the level of exposure to organic mercury compounds such as methylmercury, clinical manifestations may take days to develop. The Merck Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. In the surviving cats, no long-term complications were reported four months after discharge. In the environment, inorganic forms of mercury are converted to methylmercury under anaerobic conditions in the sediment of most bodies of water. I went onto tuna as an alternative to prawns as they were expensive but they might be a more satisfying once a week treat. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Dahlia: Jane, you really need to get in touch with your vet and let them know that your cat is having these symptoms. Different bacteria, toxins, and foods may cause varying symptoms. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The inhalation of corrosive elemental mercury vapors at high concentrations produces severe dyspnea and compromised respiratory function that is usually fatal. Food poisoning symptoms can last for days to weeks. Hard copy photos must have contact information on the back. "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. Symptoms usually start within hours or several days of eating the food. In the rare case that your cat recently ingested a large amount of inorganic mercury, for example by ingesting a button cell battery, your vet can administer activated charcoal and other agents that can prevent absorption by the body. Until veterinarians know more, limit your cat's 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. "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. That kind of treatment aims to remove as many toxins as possible and help your cat get back on its tiny feet quickly. fda.gov/food . From classic to celeb-inspired and funny to food-based, this list of cute cat names is sure to inspire your naming adventures. The causes are germs or other harmful things in the food or beverage. 4. Kitties are generally more prone to chronic (long . Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death. Symptoms were lethargy and weight loss with slight imbalance toward the end. Euthanasia and appropriate disposal, in consultation with regulatory officials, is recommended. Signs of mercury poisoning in cats include: Loss of coordination Unsteady gait Abnormal behavior Tremors or seizures Involuntary body and eye movements Central nervous system depression Vision loss Death Cats can also be poisoned by the food they eat, not due to bacteria but because they are intolerant or allergic to the substance. And, that's exactly what it would do in your cat's stomach if your cat ate it. Consequently, these forms of mercury cause severe inflammation, ulcers, and tissue necrosis in the gastrointestinal tract. Until veterinarians know more, limit your cat's tuna consumption to occasional treats of canned chunk-light tunanot. Sinad had to take it a few times for UTIs, and she never had any neurological problems as a result. You may submit articles either by our online contact form, or by mail to: Animal Wellness Magazine Signs of mercury poisoning in catsloss of coordination and balance, difficulty walkingcan mimic other illnesses, including thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency. No matter how cautious you are, it's possible your cat can find and swallow what it shouldn't. The inorganic forms of mercury, including elemental mercury, are poorly absorbed after skin exposure.