What happens if a cat eats spoiled food?
The most common problem caused by eating something strange is a foreign body obstruction. A potentially life-threatening condition, foreign body obstruction occurs when one of the many strange objects (foreign bodies) ingested by your cat is unable to make it successfully through the intestinal tract.
What is an initial symptom of botulism?
Symptoms of botulism usually start with weakness of the muscles that control the eyes, face, mouth, and throat. This weakness may spread to the neck, arms, torso, and legs. Botulism also can weaken the muscles involved in breathing, which can lead to difficulty breathing and even death.
Can a veterinarian diagnose botulism in cats?
Botulism can be difficult for a veterinarian to diagnose, as other bacteria or causes can result in similar symptoms. Paralysis is the most common symptom of the disease, so it should be suspected in pets with this or related symptoms. It is also hard to properly test for as the bacteria may not be present in fluids or tissues.
How long does it take for a cat to recover from botulism?
Botulism in cats can be life threatening, but if treatment is begun early enough most pets will make a full recovery. This can occur in as little as ten days from the onset of symptoms, but may take several weeks. During this time it is important your pet receives the supportive care they need.
Why is botulism considered an intoxication instead of an infection?
It is considered an intoxication instead of an infection because the bacteria do not have to infect the host to cause serious symptoms, but rather are ingested. Botulism can affect multiple species, including people, companion animals like cats, farm animals, and wild animals.
What are the symptoms of botulism in cats?
The symptoms of botulism in cats may commonly start within a several hours of eating infected food and may last for several weeks or days. The most obvious and serious symptom is the paralysis that starts as weakness in the hindquarters before starting to become more austere and spread.
What are the symptoms of botulism in infants?
Infants with botulism may: These symptoms all result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If untreated, the disease may progress and symptoms may worsen to cause paralysis of certain muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs, and trunk (part of the body from the neck to the pelvis area, also called the torso).
What are the symptoms of botulism if untreated?
If untreated, the disease may progress and symptoms may worsen to cause full paralysis of some muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs, and trunk (part of the body from the neck to the pelvis area, also called the torso). In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food.
Do you need a ventilator for a cat with botulism?
Fortunately, the diaphragm is better able to resist botulism paralysis than other muscles within the body, and therefore not all cats require the use of a ventilator. How is botulism diagnosed? Diagnosing botulism can be difficult.