How Do You Make A Cat Vomit?

TuxCatMom · 08-13-2005, 02:15 PM

Yeah, it's a strange question but I have a good reason for wanting to know.

I grow a lot of exotic plants, like Datura, Brugmansia and Castor of which all parts are poison. The poison plants stay outside.

I have two kittens, The Terrible Tuxedo Twins, Barney & Feif (brother & sister), 8 months old and are strictly inside cats.

When I came in from the greenhouse, I didn't realize that I had a Datura seed stuck to the bottom of my flipflops and when I took them off, the seed hit the ground. Barney went after it, but luckily I was quicker. It occurred to me that if I hadn't been quicker I would have had to make the cat vomit immediately and didn't have a clue how. My search on the web was futile as well.

You can rest assured that from now on, my shoes and clothing will be carefully inspected before I come into the house.

Sooo, how do you make a cat vomit?

TuxCatMom

Zalensia · 08-13-2005, 02:32 PM

You cant.
I expect the only way would be to take them to a vet and have vomitting enduced. But even then you might not be successful. Because of the spines on a cats tongue it makes it VERY difficult to bring anything up. When cats bring hairballs up they have a slime coating, a seed or something wouldnt be the same I expect.

If they ingest anything toxic then need to go to the vets with no hesitation.

**Sol** · 08-13-2005, 02:54 PM

In dogs salt on the back of their tounge can cause them to vomit, but I don't know if it works the same way for cats.

Meowmie · 08-13-2005, 03:27 PM

The thing is, whether we induce vomiting or not strictly depends on the toxic substance a cat or a dog has ingested. With some toxic substances vomiting should NOT be induced.

In an emergency, BEFORE inducing vomiting, an owner should call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, or his or her veterinarian for advice.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888 426-4435

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc

jennifer2 · 08-13-2005, 03:40 PM

In dogs, hydrogen peroxide also works. Not sure about cats though.

BUT, Meowmie has a very important point. Many things will cause additional harm if you induce vomiting. Also, anytime you induce vomiting you also face the risk of the animal aspirating. That is also something that is very serious.

Jennifer

xilt · 08-13-2005, 06:50 PM

H2O2 works in cats as well...although, I couldn't tell you the dosage amount.

coaster · 08-13-2005, 07:11 PM

The toxic substances that should not be vomitted are those that cause tissue damage (both on the way down and again on the way back up). Plant leaves or seeds wouldn't fall into that category.

Meowmie · 08-13-2005, 08:30 PM

Dieffenbachia
Philodendron
Caladium
Skunk cabbage
Jack-in-the-pulpit

Plant toxins: oxalate crystals and/or histamines

DO NOT induce vomiting. Give milk or water to wash out the animal's mouth and throat; an eyedropper is good for this, but make sure that you don't force liquid down the trachea. Usually this type of poisoning is not fatal, but if the animal seems to be having difficulty in breathing, take it to the veterinarian.

Foxglove
Lily of the valley
Oleander
Monkshood
Larkspur

Plant toxins: Digitalis glycosides, Alkaloids.

Get the cat to the veterinarian at once. The digitalis glycosides have a severe depressant effect on the heart. This is a life-threatening emergency.

Cherry pits
Peach pits
Apricot pits
Almond nuts
Apple seeds
Hydrangea

Plant toxins: Cyanogenetic glycosides

Take the cat to the veterinarian immediately. Cyanide poisoning interferes with the ability of the blood to release oxygen into the tissues, so the cat effectively suffocates while its blood is full of oxygen. The veterinarian will have the necessary chemical antidotes.

Indian tobacco
Golden chain
Mescal bean
Poison hemlock
Tobacco

Plant toxins: nicotinic stimulants

Get the cat to the veterinarian immediately. Specific chemical injections are required to counteract the effects of nicotine poisoning.

Belladonna
Henbane
Jimsonweed
Jessamine
Datura

Plant toxins: Atropinelike agents

Get the cat to the veterinarian immediately . Chemical antidotes and supportive care that only a veterinarian can provide are necessary to save the animal's life.

coaster · 08-13-2005, 08:56 PM

I stand corrected.

TuxCatMom · 08-13-2005, 08:56 PM

Thanks for all your responses. Luckily I have a vet only 1/4 mile away, but the closest emergency vet it 20 miles away. I think I will call my vet on Monday and get an emetic to keep around the house just in case.

TuxCatMom

08-13-2005, 02:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
TuxCatMom Kitten Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 12	How Do You Make A Cat Vomit? Yeah, it's a strange question but I have a good reason for wanting to know. I grow a lot of exotic plants, like Datura, Brugmansia and Castor of which all parts are poison. The poison plants stay outside. I have two kittens, The Terrible Tuxedo Twins, Barney & Feif (brother & sister), 8 months old and are strictly inside cats. When I came in from the greenhouse, I didn't realize that I had a Datura seed stuck to the bottom of my flipflops and when I took them off, the seed hit the ground. Barney went after it, but luckily I was quicker. It occurred to me that if I hadn't been quicker I would have had to make the cat vomit immediately and didn't have a clue how. My search on the web was futile as well. You can rest assured that from now on, my shoes and clothing will be carefully inspected before I come into the house. Sooo, how do you make a cat vomit? TuxCatMom

08-13-2005, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Zalensia Premier Cat Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: England Posts: 8,527	You cant. I expect the only way would be to take them to a vet and have vomitting enduced. But even then you might not be successful. Because of the spines on a cats tongue it makes it VERY difficult to bring anything up. When cats bring hairballs up they have a slime coating, a seed or something wouldnt be the same I expect. If they ingest anything toxic then need to go to the vets with no hesitation. __________________ Me on Last.fm

08-13-2005, 03:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
jennifer2 Cat Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,683	In dogs, hydrogen peroxide also works. Not sure about cats though. BUT, Meowmie has a very important point. Many things will cause additional harm if you induce vomiting. Also, anytime you induce vomiting you also face the risk of the animal aspirating. That is also something that is very serious. Jennifer __________________ Jennifer and the monsters They say... it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a Day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

08-13-2005, 08:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
TuxCatMom Kitten Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 12	Thanks Thanks for all your responses. Luckily I have a vet only 1/4 mile away, but the closest emergency vet it 20 miles away. I think I will call my vet on Monday and get an emetic to keep around the house just in case. TuxCatMom

08-13-2005, 02:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sol Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,799	In dogs salt on the back of their tounge can cause them to vomit, but I don't know if it works the same way for cats.

08-13-2005, 03:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Meowmie Cool Cat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,076	The thing is, whether we induce vomiting or not strictly depends on the toxic substance a cat or a dog has ingested. With some toxic substances vomiting should NOT be induced. In an emergency, BEFORE inducing vomiting, an owner should call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, or his or her veterinarian for advice. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888 426-4435 http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc

08-13-2005, 06:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
xilt Cat Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: east coast Posts: 136	H2O2 works in cats as well...although, I couldn't tell you the dosage amount.

08-13-2005, 07:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	The toxic substances that should not be vomitted are those that cause tissue damage (both on the way down and again on the way back up). Plant leaves or seeds wouldn't fall into that category.

08-13-2005, 08:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Meowmie Cool Cat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,076	Dieffenbachia Philodendron Caladium Skunk cabbage Jack-in-the-pulpit Plant toxins: oxalate crystals and/or histamines DO NOT induce vomiting. Give milk or water to wash out the animal's mouth and throat; an eyedropper is good for this, but make sure that you don't force liquid down the trachea. Usually this type of poisoning is not fatal, but if the animal seems to be having difficulty in breathing, take it to the veterinarian. Foxglove Lily of the valley Oleander Monkshood Larkspur Plant toxins: Digitalis glycosides, Alkaloids. Get the cat to the veterinarian at once. The digitalis glycosides have a severe depressant effect on the heart. This is a life-threatening emergency. Cherry pits Peach pits Apricot pits Almond nuts Apple seeds Hydrangea Plant toxins: Cyanogenetic glycosides Take the cat to the veterinarian immediately. Cyanide poisoning interferes with the ability of the blood to release oxygen into the tissues, so the cat effectively suffocates while its blood is full of oxygen. The veterinarian will have the necessary chemical antidotes. Indian tobacco Golden chain Mescal bean Poison hemlock Tobacco Plant toxins: nicotinic stimulants Get the cat to the veterinarian immediately. Specific chemical injections are required to counteract the effects of nicotine poisoning. Belladonna Henbane Jimsonweed Jessamine Datura Plant toxins: Atropinelike agents Get the cat to the veterinarian immediately . Chemical antidotes and supportive care that only a veterinarian can provide are necessary to save the animal's life.

08-13-2005, 08:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
coaster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 17,798	I stand corrected.

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