Omphalodes is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The common name for these plants is navelwort.
Toxicity to cats:
Omphalodes can be toxic to cats if ingested. The toxic principle is pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs can cause liver damage and, in severe cases, death.
Symptoms of PA poisoning in cats:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Coma
What to do if your cat eats Omphalodes:
If you suspect that your cat has eaten Omphalodes, call your veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will assess your cat’s symptoms and determine if treatment is necessary.
Treatment for PA poisoning in cats:
There is no specific antidote for PA poisoning. Treatment is supportive and may include:
- IV fluids to prevent dehydration
- Activated charcoal to absorb the PAs
- Liver protectants
- Antibiotics to prevent infection
Prognosis:
The prognosis for cats that have ingested Omphalodes depends on the amount of PAs ingested and the severity of the symptoms. Cats that have ingested a large amount of PAs or that have developed severe symptoms may have a poor prognosis.
Prevention:
The best way to prevent PA poisoning in cats is to keep them away from plants that contain these toxins. Omphalodes is a common garden plant, so it is important to be aware of its potential toxicity to cats. If you have Omphalodes in your garden, be sure to keep it out of reach of your cat.
The article was created by AI.
We received responses from Google Gemini to the following questions.
My cat ate an “Omphalodes”. What should I do? Answers should be in English.
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