can cats get mercury poisoning from cat food

Conclusion. Some other foods that are poisonous to cats include alcohol, raw or undercooked eggs, meat or fish, and yeast dough. Methylmercury is mutagenic, carcinogenic, embryotoxic, and highly teratogenic. Once that treatment is successful, your vet might also prescribe some penicillamine to reduce further signs and help the cats immune system function properly once more. If you find that the food has a large amount of shellfish or tuna, you wouldnt want to regularly feed it to your cat. My symptoms were quite severe. From classic to celeb-inspired and funny to food-based, this list of cute cat names is sure to inspire your naming adventures. Tilefish (listed on many commercial cat food labels as ocean whitefish) are among the worst, along with tuna, king mackerel, shark and swordfish. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Increased heart rate, paralysis, difficulty breathing, and cardiac arrest are possible. Limiting the consumption of mercury-contaminated food such as fish products or water will reduce exposure. Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Is Your Cat Poisoned? 9 Cat Poisoning Symptoms - VetInfo Before it's baked, bread dough needs to rise. A Dead Cat's Brain Revives Discussion of 1960s Mercury Poisoning We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. Mercury levels in canned tuna cat food. - Ask A Vet Question 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. 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. The fish and shellfish found in many cat foods are the main source of mercury exposure in felines. Turn the page and he's probably moved on to the next coursea whole fish. 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. I did find some interesting articles though: Here is an article that looked at mercury levels in tissues of cats fed mercury contaminated tuna. Because tissue damage is permanent and food safety implications are important factors, treatment options may be limited and are often discouraged. Learn the signs and symptoms of cat food poisoning so you can prevent severe illness or even fatality. Tissues rich in these components, such as the renal cortex, accumulate notable concentrations of mercury. Further research tells me that in June 2005, she killed two of her neighbor's cats by mixing the rodent poison, d-Con, into a can of cat food and dolloping it out in the yard. Euthanasia and appropriate disposal, in consultation with regulatory officials, is recommended. Still, keep an eye out for possible symptoms of mercury poisoning in. 1. Is the added expense worth the trouble to insure your beloved pet? Get your cat to a well-ventilated area. Sadly, the neurological and kidney damage caused by mercury poisoning in cats is often irreversible. We try to help you understand your cat and what may or may not be going on with him or her, but please discuss your concerns about your cat with your veterinarian! 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. Dahlia: Mama says Thomas had to take Baytril before, when he was a wee, sick shelter kitty, and hes just fine! 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. If gastrointestinal tract decontamination has been successful, administration of penicillamine (50100 mg/kg per day, by mouth, for 2 weeks) may reduce clinical signs. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Cat Eating Human Food? 17 Dangerous Foods Cats Should Never Eat! 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. 300+ Cute Cat Names for Every Kind of Kitty. And that can of tuna can be just as dangerous. They'll be able to assess your cat's symptoms, run lab work on their blood or feces if necessary, make a diagnosis, and start treatment. . The inorganic forms of mercury, including elemental mercury, are poorly absorbed after skin exposure. Also, it can be absorbed by the soil, which can result in crop contamination. In humans, symptoms of methylmercury poisoning may include peripheral vision impairment, sensory disturbances (pins and needles), lack of coordination, muscle weakness, and problems with speech, hearing and walking. 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. Does my cat have mercury poisoning? - Paws and Effect You should always check the quality of your cat's food to ensure it is not spoiled or under recall. 2. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. Overview of Insecticide and Acaricide (Organic) Toxicosis in Animals. Vitamin E and selenium, which are antioxidants, may limit oxidative damage. Learn more about how to keep your cat safe from toxic substances. Minamata disease (M. d.) is methylmercury (MeHg) poisoning that occurred in humans who ingested fish and shellfish contaminated by MeHg discharged in waste water from a chemical plant (Chisso Co. Ltd.). Cats can also eat it to the point of getting sick of it and then you'll have to find something else for your pet to eat. If tuna is fed occasionally, its not a big deal but if you feed him tuna every day, you could be risking mercury poisoning. Dehydration can cause pale gums and persistent thirst, so you may notice your cat drinking more water than usual. They can easily develop immune-system deficiency and suffer severe symptoms. Before submitting to Animal Wellness, we ask that you familiarize yourself with our publication so that you have a strong sense of the type of articles we publish. 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. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. For example, certain additives can cause excessive amounts of specific nutrients that can trigger gastrointestinal upset. 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. 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. All rights reserved. The FDA has not established toxic levels of heavy metals in pet foods. It's also possible for a cat to develop mercury poisoning from eating too much canned tuna. They may not be interested in playing or eating. Both the EPA and FDA release fish advisories (see sidebar) for people due to health concerns about mercury, denoting that this health risk is very real. Symptoms usually start within hours or several days of eating the food. 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. Similarly, acaricides are substances that can destroy mites. This highly toxic form of mercury produces corrosive bronchitis and interstitial pneumonia. Small amounts of liver are OK, but eating too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity. It's incredibly nutritious and a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. It is usually diagnosed by a blood test or a test of the hair/fur. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it. ", ASPCA: "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. The vet prescribed antibiotic prophylactically. Alcohol. Mysterious chemical found in dead cat's brain reopens debate over It's OK to give cats tuna as a treat They can get cat food poisoning. US: 6834 S. University Blvd. It is usually diagnosed by a blood test or a test of the hair/fur. Hard copy photos must have contact information on the back. 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. A common culprit is none other than your cat's favorite snacktuna (deep breath, tuna is okay in moderation). In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning. Like many other types of fish, tuna has large amounts of mercury as well. The second is rare problem in which a protein in raw egg whites, called avidin, could interfere with the absorption of the B vitamin biotin. The Benefits of Tuna for Cats. Every attempt is made to return photographic material, but it is advised that you keep copies of your images. This highly toxic chemical bioaccumulated and biomagnified in shellfish and fish in Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea, which, when eaten by the local population, resulted in mercury poisoning. Table scraps often contain fat trimmed off of meat and bones. Other symptoms that could alert your vet include: Your cat might also show signs of difficulty breathing, or other breath irregularities. Mercury poisoning is caused by exposure to mercury and damages the nervous system *. Onion in all forms -- powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated -- can break down a cat's red blood cells, leading to anemia. Comprehensive guidelines reflecting the serious nature of the mercury poisoning have been established internationally by the World Health Organization and many countries for humans and animals. 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. Can cats get mercury poisoning from tuna cat food? 3. Mainly, too much fish over a long period of time could lead to mercury poisoning in cats. 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. In addition to onions, garlic, which is 5 times as potent as onions,and chives can each cause major health and potentioanally life threatening problems. Composer John McDonald, professor and chair of the Department of Music, offers his advice, Katie Peterson, professor of the practice of poetry, suggests some heartfelt approaches. Poisoning associated with various forms of mercury has declined in recent years. Symptoms were lethargy and weight loss with slight imbalance toward the end. Yes, unfortunately, cats can get mercury poisoning just like other animals - including humans - can. Iowa Voter Registration Records, Justin Torres Heritage, Articles C