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Frustrated and worried - did my cats get poisoned?! :(

3.7K views 32 replies 12 participants last post by  Yuki'sMum  
#1 ·
HELLO! I'm starting to get really worried about my little girl :(

A little background - I have two cats, 2 years old purebred siamese. Boy and girl, brother and sister.

They've always had problems with their gums (siamese trait) and I went to the petstore on Saturday and bought them this: [ame]http://www.amazon.ca/Fresh-Breath-Clean-Teeth-Gel/dp/B00379KT66[/ame]

... It's a gel that you apply to the gums that is supposed to be for cats and supposed to help them out. Saturday afternoon I gave them both some of this. On Sunday, I noticed that they both weren't eating and seemed "off". Especially the girl (she is much smaller than the boy). By Sunday night, they were both visibly sick and the girl had vomited a few times. They were both still drinking water so I figured maybe they were having a bad reaction to the gel. By Monday afternoon, the girl was very sick and still not eating, the boy was getting a bit back to normal. Fast forward to today and the boy is completely back to normal (eating, being playful, etc), but my little girl is still very lethargic, not eating (I have been force feeding her). She seemed a BIT better this morning, she has not vomited since yesterday afternoon. I forced fed her a bit this morning, she wasn't happy about it but didn't spit it or or vomit, and she drank a good bit of water. Her eyes seem brighter and she seems a BIT more alert (I was trying to play with her, I caught her attention but she wasn't overly happy).

My question is - Why would this stuff cause the cats to become so sick if it's marketed for cats??!?! Also, since the boy is completely back to normal - is it safe to say my girl will be too? She is a lot smaller so I'm thinking it may have affected her more. She looks very pitiful :( She does let me hold her now, a couple days ago she was really cranky.

Any suggestions would be appreciated... I feel so terrible that I caused them this pain! :(
 
#3 ·
Maybe, but the fact that it was the only change that happened and how they got sick immediately after leads me to believe it was the gel. Also, after looking online it seems like this problem has happened to others too... crazy! :( I just hope she gets better soon.
 
#4 ·
Here are the ingredients - is something in there not safe for cats???

Purified Water, Natural Derived Alcohol, Natural Mint, Glycerin, Natural Cleanser, Carbopol, Chlorophyllin, Green Tea Leaf Extract
 
#5 ·
I sure do hope your babies get better. After reading this I realize how important it is to speak to the Vet before giving anything to my cats. Sorry for your problems but thank you for making me aware of how important is it to talk to the Vet before doing anything.
 
#6 ·
I know, I feel so dumb... how can they sell something that clearly makes them sick and contains stuff that they shouldn't ingest? I'm so furious. I called the vet and they said that the alcohol in it may have affected her stomach :( she said as long as she keeps drinking and I continue to force feed her, she might get better on her own soon. If not in the next 2 days though, might have to bring her in for further assessment... :(
 
#7 ·
I am so sorry. I did not mean to make you feel 'dumb'. I am sure you are a great cat mommy. We have to realize cats do not show pain and they seem OK when in fact they are unwell. It is important to keep a watchful eye on them for signs of trouble.

I just meant I learned a lesson from what you are going through and wanted to thank you.
 
#9 ·
Oh haha, nono - I wasn't meaning you made me feel dumb. I just feel terrible that I didn't look into the ingredients further before giving it to them! :) But I plan to run home at lunch to see how she's doing... hoping she's better! Her brother has been staying away from her too, I think he senses she is sick :( It's just so sad because she's the sweetest little girl and I feel so bad that she's hurting!
 
#8 ·
Oh wow! I'm sure you are very worried.

If she is showing signs of improvement that is good! But like you say, her being smaller she may have been affected more and will take her a day or two to snap out of it.

I remember one of my cats when she was a kitten, got stung by a bee. Apparently it gave her a reaction. She limped in to see me, and laid down beside me. She didn't want to be picked up but wanted the company. I put a poultice on her foot to help draw the sting poison out and reduce the swelling.

I had no way to get to the vet until the next day, so I tried to make her comfortable and stayed with her. I fell asleep on the couch that night, with her curled up beside me. I'll never forget it, in the middle of the night she had woken up and felt loads better and was practically running up and down the side of my body to wake me up! I was soooooo relieved. She was right as rain the next day, like nothing had ever happened.
 
#10 ·
I am slowly learning that cats seem to be more sensitive to certain things and we really have to be careful with what we give them. I want to change my cat's food but I am so worried it might make them sick so I will not do it.

Maybe you can take a soft cloth and message her gums to see if take will take off any that is left. I really hope she is doing better.
 
#11 ·
I sure wouldn't use it again if I were you, just to be safe.

I probably would have taken her in, but since you talked to the vet I'd do just what you're doing. Watch her like a hawk for a day or two and if no real improvement off to the vet.
 
#14 ·
Thanks, I most definitely won't be using it again!

I ran home to see her at lunch. She actually came downstairs to greet me like usual (the past few days has been staying in bed). So that makes me happy. When she came to see me, she stretched on my legs and started to purr (also hasn't done that in days). Can't tell if she's eating but she drank more water and her coat is starting to look a bit better and she is definitely more alert. Do you ever notice how when cats feel sick their coats look matted and just dull and almost like the hair is sticking up a bit? It's so sad :(
 
#12 ·
If one is sick but the other isn't (and they both had it applied) .. then either the sick one got into something else (did you know cats feet absorb liquids, so if you mopped your floor, spilled anything, cleaned your counters with a spray .. that can make your kitty sick?) or maybe she was allergic to something in the ingredients.

You can't always just blame the product if it isn't affecting everyone across the board.

You need to take your cat to the vet (not talk to one, she needs blood work done) .. cats should not go more than a day without eating or drinking, or it can have extremely damaging effects to their liver, or even kill them.

A lethargic cat = a sick cat = vet visit.
 
#16 ·
Thanks for the advice however they were both sick at one point - it's just the boy who healed quicker (he's twice her size). I don't think spending $1000.00 on bloodwork/tests makes the most sense, been down that route before and it's never anything serious. Her gradual improvement leads me to believe that she will get better - at this point I'm not as worried, and neither was the vet when I called her this morning.
 
#15 ·
I know... when I called the vet this morning that's exactly what she said. She said that some cats are more sensitive than others to those ingredients, and the fact that the weight difference (14 pounds vs. 8 pounds! (she's a tiny one)) it must have just made her feel even worse!
 
#17 ·
Just a heads up. Just because a product is on the market doesn't mean it is safe for the animal. Hartz is a good example of products which should be banned and have killed thousands of cats and dogs but they keep selling the products. Google on line their flea treatment and the site Hartz Kills. There is little to no regulation of animal products.

I noticed in one of the reviews on amazon there was a negative reaction. You should post your experience so others don't purchase this for their cats.

That being said what has your vet said about your cats gums? Have you gone to a vet which has modern equipment and training in dentals for dogs and cats? Most good rescues in our area do dentals on cats since it affects a large part of their health. Thanks for sharing your experience. Hopefully this will save heart ache from someone else reading your posts.
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks, you're so right. They falsely market it as "safe for cats!' "veterinarian recommended!" and yet it makes my cats violently ill. After reading through other reviews it appears this product has caused many dogs/cats to be ill! I plan to contact the company (doubt that will help) and write reviews all over the internet explaining this! so crazy...

And yes, I do get my babies' teeth professionally cleaned from time to time at the vet, however I wanted to try something a bit easier on the wallet... that's what I get :(
 
#21 ·
And yes, I do get my babies' teeth professionally cleaned from time to time at the vet, however I wanted to try something a bit easier on the wallet... that's what I get :(
Just so you know I wasn't putting you down. Just curious as to what the diagnosis was on the gum problem. What your vets take on it for you was.

My son is a human dentist. He has the latest and greatest of equipment and constantly take extra courses to keep him up on the best technology and procedures. Not all dentist are created equal.

Its the same with dentals for our companion animals. Some vets are really educated on the procedures and have new equipment they have been trained on. I'm super picky on the dental aspect of dental care because of my background of coming from a dental family. My father, son, uncle, cousin are from dental backgrounds.

We have a dental vet specialist in our area which I'm thrilled about. Most animals guardians don't realize how much the teeth and mouth affect a cats or dog health. Most regular vets aren't in tune with all the aspects of gum and teeth problems.

Just want the best for your fur family.
 
#25 ·
Firstly I am very glad that things are going in the right direction.

Just a minor point but even when a product has been tried and tested, even when it's been prescribed by a vet, a cat can have an adverse allergic reaction just like a person. It might be worth keeping a note of the ingredients and avoid them as much as possible or even have a chat with the vet about a possibility of an allergy. Some allergies "run in the family" and so both could have a reaction to the same thing.
 
#28 ·
As I understand it this product is an over the counter product. In the US I wouldnt necessarily trust that. If that were the case of it being safe, tested and monitored correctly Hartz Flea Products should of been pulled off the shelves years ago. Most recalls here are not done till there is a stink or threat of a law suit, as happened with many of the cat and dog foods and treats. US has a poor track record.
 
#26 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks - and you're right, I'm definitely going to keep note of what was in that and will be very cautious from now on! What a scare... on that note, HAPPY UPDATE: My wonderful fiancé left work early (I know it was because he was worried about the babies and wanted to check on them
Image
) and just called me to tell me that the girl was eating out of her bowl and playing with her brother again!!

So relieved... I can't stand when they are sick, it's all I think about and I'm such a worry wart! Thanks to everyone who responded - this was a big lesson for us - and to everyone else: DON'T BUY THE TROPICLEAN FRESH BREATH PRODUCTS! They may work on most cats but I guess you just never know!
 
#29 · (Edited by Moderator)
This stuff is terrible. I should have known when the cats tried to spit it out all over the place! I'm so furious. But I'm mostly mad at myself for not thinking twice :( on Amazon it seems there's a lot of positive reviews but I never trust that stuff anyways...

Needless to say - lots of treats & cuddles coming my babe's way tonight! :D
 
#32 ·
so glad I read this thread

I have a siamese that is 1 1/2 years old with gingivitis, I tried brushing his teeth and that totally freaked him out. He has struvite crystals, so I try to keep him as calm and cool as possible. The vet recommended some sort of supplement you apply directly to the gums with a Q-tip which seems less stressful for the cat. I was going to buy it this weekend, because I have to pick up the prescription, cat food (Royal Canine SO for the crystals) for my cats anyway.

Now I am not sure if I should?

I have read a lot of reviews on different products on amazon, and now after reading this thread I almost think maybe I should just see what happens? I know gingivitis can lead to much more serious problems, so I am on the fence about what I should do?