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

Subscribe to our email list to be instantly notified when we make a new post. . 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. 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. Cats show no such signs, but that doesnt mean theyre immune to the toxic effects of mercury. That said, you must take your cat to the vet the moment you suspect cat poisoning. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us: You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at advice@paws-and-effect.com. From classic to celeb-inspired and funny to food-based, this list of cute cat names is sure to inspire your naming adventures. Among their numerous functions, selenoenzymes prevent and reverse oxidative damage in organs. This can be a challenge, because tuna is a common ingredient in many cat foods, and cats tend to be very particular about which foods theyll eat. Botulin is a toxin produced by the bacterium that affects the nervous system, causing a range of symptoms that can be hard to diagnose. The organic forms of mercury, primarily methylmercury, are lipid soluble and well absorbed orally. Small amounts of liver are OK, but eating too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity. There are a lot of fish in the seabut which are safe for your cat to eat and how often? Symptoms include deformed bones, bone growths on the elbows and spine, and osteoporosis. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be coaxed to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. It's in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. Cats with vomiting and diarrhea can also suffer from dehydration, weight loss, and fever. Is the added expense worth the trouble to insure your beloved pet? Neurologic manifestations may eventually develop at lower levels of exposure. These symptoms can be a sign of severe kidney damage. Historically, mercury was used in household, medical, and industrial products and could lead to inorganic mercury poisoning if ingested or inhaled. You may submit articles either by our online contact form, or by mail to: Animal Wellness Magazine Researchers believe this adverse reaction is unlikely at lower doses, though. So its possible that mercury poisoning happens, but is not diagnosed. Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your cat. Behavior changes can include lethargy or over-activity such as pacing or increased anxiety. The products were sold at . All photos become property of Redstone Media Group. The Most Common Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning in Cats, Severe Neurological Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning in Cats, Symptoms of Kidney Disease Caused by Mercury Poisoning in Cats, Protection Against Mercury Poisoning in Cats, Bug Spray Poisoning Signs You Should Know, 5 Symptoms of Nasal Polyps in Cats You Should Know About, 8 Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in Cats You Should Know, Top Low Residue Cat Food Options on The Market, Best c/d Cat Food Alternatives on The Market. It is very rare for a cat to get mercury poisoning from eating tuna. If you find that the food has a large amount of shellfish or tuna, you wouldnt want to regularly feed it to your cat. But our feline friends tend to be a lot more discriminating than your average Labrador with their consumption, both in type and quantity. What could be wrong with offering your cat a saucer of milk or a piece of cheese? Signs of mercury poisoning in catsloss of coordination and balance, difficulty walkingcan mimic other illnesses, including thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. In short: Don't take our word as gospel. At the time, I also regularly fed my cat tuna. The National Center for Health Research warns people with impaired kidney function that they can be harmed by mercury exposure when eating fish. 1. 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. 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 contrast, organic mercury compounds, which bioaccumulate in soft tissues, are most appropriately assessed in liver, kidney, or brain tissues. "Toxic effects tend to develop after prolonged ingestion of seafood that causes a buildup of mercury in the body.". She lectures internationally and is a professor at the British Institute of Homeopathy. Differential diagnoses may include conditions that produce gastrointestinal distress, renal disease, or neurologic dysfunction manifested by tremors, ataxia, or convulsions. The Dangers of Mercury Poisoning in Cats: How to Safely Feed Fish to Your Feline. Other tests, including to detect proteinuria, azotemia, or a nonregenerative anemia, may provide useful evidence to support a diagnosis of mercury poisoning. And, that's exactly what it would do in your cat's stomach if your cat ate it. My symptoms were quite severe. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Food Poisoning In Cats Symptoms. Can cats recover from poisoning? If your cat is indeed suffering from mercury poisoning, your vet will prescribe charcoal tablets and other medications that will help limit the absorption of mercury. An extremely lethargic cat should be taken to the vet as soon as possible, as it could be a side effect of renal failure. 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. 5. The general consensus from vets is that there is no problem with feeding tuna based cat foods. Whats the best way to write a love poem. In fact, many commercial cat foods contain tuna as an ingredient. by The Paws and Effect Gang | Feb 6, 2011 | Cat Health | 8 comments. Which Type of Dog Fence Is Right For Your Pet? Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs. It may not be food poisoning but symptoms of another disease or infection. 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. Siouxsie: They are used to treat infections of the skin, bladder, ears, kidneys, lungs (pneumonia), and prostate gland. Those foods include shellfish, tuna, king mackerel, and swordfish. Because the neurologic and renal damage resulting from mercury poisoning is irreversible, treatment may be ineffective. Infectious diseases, including hog cholera Classical Swine Fever , erysipelas Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Infection , and feline parvovirus Feline Panleukopenia , may resemble mercury poisoning. The symptoms of mercury poisoning in cats can look a lot like other reactions to poison ingestion, vitamin B1 deficiency, brain tumors, and other ailments causing neurological impairment, Stregowski says. Stick to no more than 1 tablespoon per week for a healthy, adult cat and opt for the light tuna vs white (albacore) as it contains much less mercury. "Cats should not eat chocolate, caffeine, xylitol (the sugar-free agent in gum), macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, chives, grapes and raisins ," Dr. Irish said. No matter how cautious you are, it's possible your cat can find and swallow what it shouldn't. Many illnesses can mimic cat food poisoning. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. Thomas: This page at vetinfo.com has a list of side effects of common veterinary antibiotics used on cats. But it takes far less to do its damage. Please ensure that any health facts or statistics that might appear in your article are accurate and come from an accredited source. Many commercial cat foods have minimal levels of fish as part of their recipes, either for flavoring or perhaps because people like to feed their cats food with some fish in it, thinking its tastier for them. All rights reserved. Animals that survive may exhibit eczema, skin keratinization, anuria, polydipsia, hematuria, or melena. The diagnosis may be made on the basis of analysis of tissue specimens with appropriate histopathologic and clinical pathologic testing, history, and clinical signs. 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. The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. Now my cats immediate symptoms are resolved, but he is left with what seem to be neurological problems including balance disturbance and pupils oddly dilated. Cats can consume albacore tuna if it is fed to them in a small portion. They can easily develop immune-system deficiency and suffer severe symptoms. From dangerous plants to household cleaners, many everyday items can lead to poisoning. Some felines display weakness, drooling, and inability to urinate. RELATED: Best Cat Food and Treats for Senior Cats. Learn the signs and symptoms of cat food poisoning so you can prevent severe illness or even fatality. This highly toxic form of mercury produces corrosive bronchitis and interstitial pneumonia. Consequently, these forms of mercury cause severe inflammation, ulcers, and tissue necrosis in the gastrointestinal tract. 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. Ingesting a drug prescribed for humans is one of the most common causes of poisoning in cats. Although some cats show no ill effects, it's best not to give your cat any grapes and to keep grapes and raisins off countertops and other places accessible to your cat. Thomas: Too much tuna can lead to vitamin E deficiency, resulting in yellow fat disease, or steatitis. For organic mercury poisoning, 2.3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (10 mg/kg, by mouth, three times a day for 10 days) has been useful in dogs. It's also possible for a cat to develop mercury poisoning from eating too much canned tuna. However, while some illnesses like Salmonella get better with time, others, such as botulism, can be fatal if they're not quickly given antitoxin. Yet many of my clients who have cats in kidney failure entice them to eat by adding tuna to their meals. 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. The fish and shellfish found in many cat foods are the main source of mercury exposure in felines. This can have a disproportionate long-term effect. You may be familiar with food poisoning, the nasty sickness that starts after ingesting something containing harmful bacteria. Symptoms can vary but may include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, confusion, lethargy, unsteady gait. Metals such as lead Lead Poisoning in Animals Lead poisoning in mammalian and avian species is characterized by neurologic disturbances, gastrointestinal upset, hematologic abnormalities, immunosuppression, infertility, and renal disease read more , arsenic Overview of Arsenic Poisoning in Animals The chemical element arsenic (symbol As, atomic number 33) is a nonmetal or metalloid in group V on the periodic chart. Grapes and raisins can kill your cat. Ive never fed my cats a ton of tuna, but sometimes let them lick the leftovers in the can. Albacore tuna also has a high amount of fat, which can cause your cat to gain unnecessary weight. These cookies do not store any personal information. Make sure the photos are labeled and include your name, address and phone number. 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. Perform any additional tasks (liking a Facebook page, captioning a photo, submitting a story, etc.) The FDA has not established toxic levels of heavy metals in pet foods. Chelation therapy may be useful if treatment is started soon after exposure, before nephrotoxic effects become severe. Symptoms usually start within hours or several days of eating the food. Cats will seek out antifreeze as they find its smell and taste appealing. Remember the saying, "Honest as a cat when the meat's out of reach." These levels transformed into the cat's system easily once they feed off tuna. 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. Dahlia: The fluoroquinolones are powerful antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for pets. 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. Key Takeaways: Some of the most toxic food for cats include onions & garlic, raw eggs & meat, chocolate, alcohol, grapes and raisins. Every can I ate, I shared with my cat. Increased heart rate, paralysis, difficulty breathing, and cardiac arrest are possible. Siouxsie: The high levels of mercury in tuna can be dangerous, too. Severe Neurological Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning in Cats Cats could develop severe symptoms of mercury poisoning after getting exposed to foods with high levels of mercury for a long period. 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. Siouxsie: If your cat didnt start showing neurological symptoms until after he began his course of antibiotics, the symptoms may be a side effect of the medicine. All forms of mercury cross the placenta. MSNBC.com: "'People Foods' That Can Kill Your Pet. Compromised kidney function in cats over ten or 12 years of age is epidemic. While cats in the wild hunt their food, indoor kitties rely on their cat parents to provide lunch. Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol -- none of it is good for your cat. Dahlia: Good luck, Jane. The best way to treat cat poisoning is to prevent it entirely. Dahlia: Mercury poisoning is pretty rare in cats, and in people. Ive never seen a report of mercury poisoning in a cat fed tuna-based commercial cat food. Here's what you should know about mercury poisoning in cats. Common poisons include human medications, insecticides, household cleaners, plants and rodenticides. Mainly, too much fish over a long period of time could lead to mercury poisoning in cats. The Dangers of Mercury Poisoning in Cats: How to Safely Feed Fish to Your Feline. 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. They can get cat food poisoning. Those symptoms are the reason mercury poisoning is also called the dancing cat disease. Methylmercury is mutagenic, carcinogenic, embryotoxic, and highly teratogenic. Mercury poisoning is caused by exposure to mercury and damages the nervous system *. Once there, certain microorganisms change this heavy metal into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that builds up in fish and shellfish and in the animals that eat them. We took him to the vet where his blood work revealed an elevated neutrophil count, but his white blood cell count was otherwise normal. ", University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine: "Killer Grapes and Other Concerns in Animal Poison Control. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Mercury is a metal in the form of a silvery liquid at room temperature, but it can also turn into a vapor. Thomas: However, we hope weve helped you to know what questions to ask your vet when you take your cat back to the clinic. Chronic exposure to mercury causes two major problems: Mercury from human pollution ends up in the air, but eventually settles into water, or onto land where it can be washed into water. Are there diagnostics and treatment for that? Dahlia: Mercury poisoning is pretty rare in cats, and in people. Thomas: In very rare cases, cats receiving high doses of Baytril have developed severe, irreversible vision problems. Get your cat to a well-ventilated area. They do have many of the same ingredients. 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 And that can of tuna can be just as dangerous. While mercury in fish and shellfish is a widespread problem, it doesnt mean you have to eliminate it entirely from your cats diet. The most concerning part when it comes to severe mercury poisoning is that it could lead to diverse neurological symptoms that could be permanent for your cat. Both fat and bones may be dangerous for cats. Euthanasia and appropriate disposal, in consultation with regulatory officials, is recommended. Can my cat get mercury poisoning from fish? Fossil fuels represent an important environmental source of mercury. Kidney Disease in Cats & Sweet-Smelling Urine. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. ", PetWare web site: "Lactose Intolerance in Cats. However, if you catch the symptoms early on, your vet will prescribe charcoal tablets and other medications that will limit the absorption of mercury. Chronic exposure in fish and wildlife species associated with the bioaccumulation of mercury in the environment remains a problem. Kidney damage in both cats and humans. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. You will receive a 1 Year Digital Subscription to North Americas #1 Natural Health Magazine for Dogs & Cats. 4. Most of the time, the symptoms are due to another illness or disease. Onion in all forms -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated -- can break down a cat's red blood cells, leading to anemia. In addition to tea and coffee -- including beans and grounds -- caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. Paws and Effect will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Can cats get mercury poisoning from tuna cat food? There are a lot of fish in the seabut which are safe for your cat to eat and how . If you believe your cat has ingested mercury, contact your vet and call the Pet Poison Control Hotline at (855) 764-7661. Cats that are over ten years of age experience complicated side effects that could lead to total kidney failure. All that just from tuna! Wear long sleeves and/or gloves to protect yourself from the poison. Advanced cases may be characterized by depression, anorexia, proprioceptive defects, total blindness, paralysis, with high mortality. I had a mercury blood level drawn from the younger cat but the sample was drawn two weeks after stopping the feeding of canned tuna, results were inconclusive. They may not be ready to beat you in a game of chess, but these brainy dogs are easy to train and generally eager to please you. i will be contacting their vet in the morning and also calling out the city for illegal dumping. Like many other types of fish, tuna has large amounts of mercury as well. It is usually diagnosed by a blood test or a test of the hair/fur. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. Treatment depends on the type of poisoning but may include . An occasional bite of dog food won't hurt your cat. About Cats Protection Our vision Our history Annual Review Please do not send multiple submissions (articles that have been sent to more than one publication) unless you have received confirmation that the story will not be used by another magazine. pls let me know if this is a possibility. For that reason, its safer to carefully examine the labels of certain canned foods before feeding them to your cat. 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. Although cases of mercury poisoning in animals have declined, bioaccumulation and food safety concerns related to mercury ingestion remain a priority worldwide. But it's best to keep it small and infrequent. 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. Usually cataracts are pretty obvious because they make the eyeball look cloudy. We will treat your information with respect. A lot of common household products are toxic to cats, too. I think some people assume it is natural to feel cats tuna this is very informative! April 13, 2021 -- Two lots of 30-pound bags of Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food have been recalled by the J.M. Some research has found that some pet food with fish flavor contains certain levels of mercury that are beyond what is "safe" for mammals. PMB 155, Centennial, CO 80122 It was in May 1956, that M. d. was first officially "discovered" in Minamata City, south-west region of Japan's Kyushu Island. Whether its mercury, an antibiotic reaction, or something else entirely only your vet will be able to solve the mystery. 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. If it seems fishy that commercial cat foods and treats include fish, Stregowski says extra precautions can be taken. Lethargy A poisoned cat will be lethargic and present general weakness. When it comes to dry cat food, it's hard to beat Hill's Science Diet. It's OK to give cats tuna as a treat Large ranges in mercury concentrations in pet foods have been reported previously, with cat diets often being higher than those for dogs. The volume of carbamates used now exceeds that of OPs because carbamates are read more , or organochlorine compounds; oxalates; vitamin D; and mycotoxins Overview of Mycotoxicoses in Animals For discussion of mycotoxicoses in poultry, see Mycotoxicoses in Poultry. In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning. 1. Use to remove results with certain terms All rights reserved. Mercury poisoning poses a serious health risk to your cat. Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include: Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8. Mercury poisoning can also disrupt fetal and early childhood development. Receive weekly health info straight to your inbox. 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. 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. Winners will be notified by phone or email and winning photos will appear in a future issue of Animal Wellness. 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. Photo: Svetlana Rey / Shutterstock, Cailin Heinze, a veterinary nutritionist and assistant professor at the Cummings School, responds. Sadly, I just lost both otherwise healthy cats (12 and 9 y/o) within a period of 4 months. At high levels, aflatoxins . But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. Poisoning associated with various forms of mercury has declined in recent years. Additionally, certain plants like rhubarb are toxic to felines, as are a handful of household products. Agitation Some cats may become more agitated after having ingested a toxic ingredient. 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. However, it can contain high levels . This veterinarian-reviewed article goes over the causes and symptoms of food poisoning in cats. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. At the sight of any of these symptoms, its important that you take your cat to the vet as soon as you can. We are not veterinarians. Yes, cats can get Salmonella. December 15, 2021, 12:43 PM. ", ASPCA: "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Predator species considered to be near the top of the food chain, such as fish, seals, polar bears, and various bird species, bioaccumulate considerable quantities of mercury from dietary sources. That kind of treatment aims to remove as many toxins as possible and help your cat get back on its tiny feet quickly. Because cats are huge fans of fishtuna, in particulartheyre more susceptible to mercury poisoning than humans. Creative commons photos used in posts must be shared with original artist credits intact. It's also in some cold medicines and painkillers. Because degenerative changes are permanent and there are serious food safety concerns associated with mercury poisoning, treatment is highly discouraged, Efforts to reduce exposure via food or water sources are important. Our turnaround response time for submissions is four weeks. An occasional taste of cooked boneless beef or brown rice can be an OK treat. If your cat loves the fishy taste and smell of tuna, you can try feeding them a prepared cat food made with human-grade tuna. Mainly, too much fish over a long period of time could lead to mercury poisoning in cats. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or cut the insideof your cat's digestive system. In the surviving cats, no long-term complications were reported four months after discharge. However, the most detrimental effects of food poisoning occur in the kidneys.