Poisoning in Dogs & Cats
Information on Sources, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Some Background Knowledge on Poisons
What are Poisons and how Do They Work?
Poisons are substances that have a harmful effect on organs or metabolicMetabolic refers to metabolism, i.e. the entirety of chemical processes that take place in a living organism to enable life processes. Metabolic disorders can cause a variety of Diseases in Dogs and cats. processes. They can become effective through contact with the body surface or by entering the body (e.g., ingestionIngestion refers to the intake of substances through the mouth and their delivery to the digestive tract. In dogs and cats, the ingestion of toxic substances, foreign objects, or incompatible foods can lead to health problems., inhalationInhalation is the act of breathing air or other substances into the lungs through the nose or mouth. In dogs and cats, inhalation of toxins, smoke, or allergens can lead to respiratory problems.). Poisons can have varying degrees of potency and are classified as “Highly ToxicToxic means “poisonous” and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. Substances”, “ToxicToxic means “poisonous” and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. Substances”, and “Harmful Substances”.
- Highly toxicToxic means “poisonous” and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. substances are substances that, even in very small quantities, lead to death or permanent health damage.
- “ToxicToxic means “poisonous” and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. Substances” refers to poisons that, when ingested in small quantities (not very small quantities), lead to death or permanent damage.
- “Harmful Substances” refers to substances that do not lead to death, but to acuteAcute refers to a condition that occurs suddenly and is usually of short duration. In a medical context, it describes symptoms or illnesses that can quickly become serious and require immediate attention. or permanent health damage.
Effects of Poisoning
Poisons cause various types of damage in the organism.
- They can primarily damage the liver → HepatotoxinsHepatotoxins are substances that have harmful effects on the liver. Exposure to hepatotoxins can lead to liver failure, jaundice, and other liver-specific diseases in dogs and cats. (e.g., Paracetamol),
- damage the kidneys → Nephrotoxins (e.g., heavy metals),
- damage the nerves and/or the brain → NeurotoxinsNeurotoxins are poisons that specifically attack and damage the nervous system. In dogs and cats, they can cause paralysis, seizures, and other severe neurological symptoms. Neurotoxins can be produced in certain plants, toxins, or by bacteria. (e.g., Botulinum toxinA toxin is a poison produced by living cells or organisms that can be harmful to the body upon contact or ingestion. Toxins can originate from bacteria, plants, animals, or fungi.)
- or affect oxygen exchange in the body (e.g., carbon monoxide).
The effect of poisons is influenced by age, body weight, and general health status.
The effect of poisons is influenced by the amount of poison ingested (concentration poison), but can also accumulate due to increasing damage from repeated contact (cumulative poison).
Particularly Toxic Substances
Some particularly toxicToxic means “poisonous” and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. substances that can also be relevant for dogs and cats are:
Botulinum ToxinA toxin is a poison produced by living cells or organisms that can be harmful to the body upon contact or ingestion. Toxins can originate from bacteria, plants, animals, or fungi.
Botulinum toxinA toxin is a poison produced by living cells or organisms that can be harmful to the body upon contact or ingestion. Toxins can originate from bacteria, plants, animals, or fungi. is the most toxicToxic means “poisonous” and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. substance worldwide and is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Poisoning with this toxinA toxin is a poison produced by living cells or organisms that can be harmful to the body upon contact or ingestion. Toxins can originate from bacteria, plants, animals, or fungi. also plays a role in dogs and cats (→ Botulism disease).
Aflatoxin
Aflatoxins are produced by molds of the genus Aspergillus. They are present in mold spores and can be easily inhaled or found on or in moldy food. Specific aflatoxins cause liver and lung damage. They are among the most carcinogenic substances. They can also be relevant for dogs and cats if moldy feed or food scraps are fed.
Dimethylcadmium
Dimethylcadmium is an environmental toxinA toxin is a poison produced by living cells or organisms that can be harmful to the body upon contact or ingestion. Toxins can originate from bacteria, plants, animals, or fungi. and exerts its effect through the heavy metal cadmium it contains. As an environmental toxinA toxin is a poison produced by living cells or organisms that can be harmful to the body upon contact or ingestion. Toxins can originate from bacteria, plants, animals, or fungi., it easily enters the food chain. It is particularly found in:
- Seafood,
- Offal,
- Wild mushrooms,
- Oilseeds,
- Wheat,
- Potatoes
Repeated intake of cadmium can lead to kidney failureRenal failure is a condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately perform their function of filtering and excreting waste products from the blood. It can be acute or chronic and requires immediate medical treatment. and demineralization of bones (osteoporosis). In humans, it has been found that cadmium can also lead to increased cell aging, and thus to susceptibility to disease and lung cancerCancer refers to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells that can lead to tumors or spread throughout the body. Various types of cancer occur in dogs and cats, ranging from skin cancer to lymphomas.. In cases of acuteAcute refers to a condition that occurs suddenly and is usually of short duration. In a medical context, it describes symptoms or illnesses that can quickly become serious and require immediate attention. poisoning, death usually occurs due to kidney failureRenal failure is a condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately perform their function of filtering and excreting waste products from the blood. It can be acute or chronic and requires immediate medical treatment..
What Symptoms Can Indicate Poisoning?
What Measures are Generally Appropriate in Cases of Poisoning?
What Potentially Toxic Substances and Plants are Found in our Animals' Environment?
Which Poison Control Centers Exist in German-Speaking Countries?
All Described Poisoning Sources and Toxins
Poisoning by Human Medicines
Poisoning by Food
Poisoning by Veterinary Products
Poisoning by Chemicals
Poisoning by Garden and Houseplants, Algae, and Fungi
Poisoning by Animal Toxins
Downloadable and Printable Content (PDF)
Would you like to download or print some information on possible poisoning sources as a PDF? No problem.
- At the end of each described poisoning, you have the option to download or print the information as a PDF.
You can also choose from pre-compiled packages. Diese sind:
- Poisonings, Part I: Introduction, Symptoms, and First Aid for Poisonings
- Poisonings, Part II: Poisons in the Living Environment of Our Dogs and Cats – Medications
- Poisonings, Part III: Poisons in the Living Environment of Our Dogs and Cats – Food
- Poisoning, Part IV: Poisons in the Environment of Our Dogs and Cats – Chemicals in the House and Garden
- Poisoning, Part V: Poisons in the Environment of Our Dogs and Cats – ToxicToxic means “poisonous” and refers to substances that can have harmful effects on the body, including damage to organs, cells, or disruption of metabolic processes. Garden and Houseplants, Algae, and Animal Toxins