Sugarvine (Polygonum aubertii) is a toxic plant to cats, containing saponins and oxalates. Ingestion can cause the following symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Kidney failure
What to Do:
1. Contact Your Veterinarian Immediately:
- Call your veterinarian as soon as possible to report the ingestion. They will advise you on the best course of action.
2. Induce Vomiting (If Recommended by Veterinarian):
- If instructed by your veterinarian, induce vomiting by giving your cat 1-2 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 pounds of body weight. Wait 10-15 minutes for your cat to vomit. Do not induce vomiting if your cat is unconscious or has seizures.
3. Stay Calm and Monitor Your Cat:
- Remain calm and keep a close eye on your cat while waiting for veterinary advice.
- If any symptoms worsen or your cat is not vomiting up the plant material, seek immediate veterinary attention.
4. Bring a Sample of the Plant:
- If possible, bring a sample of the sugarvine plant to the veterinarian’s office to help them identify the plant and determine the appropriate treatment.
Treatment:
- Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and the amount of the plant ingested.
- Your veterinarian may provide activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins.
- Intravenous fluids may be administered to prevent dehydration.
- In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to monitor your cat’s condition and provide supportive care.
The article was created by AI.
We received responses from Google Gemini to the following questions.
My cat ate an “sugarvine”. What should I do? Answers should be in English.
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