Pepino toxicity in cats:
Pepinos (Solanum muricatum) are a member of the nightshade family, which includes potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. While the ripe fruit of pepinos is generally safe for cats to eat in small amounts, the plant itself, including the leaves, stems, and unripe fruit, contains a toxin called solanine.
Solanine toxicity symptoms:
Solanine poisoning can cause a range of symptoms in cats, including:
- Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea)
- Neurological signs (tremors, seizures)
- Cardiovascular problems (arrhythmias, hypotension)
- Respiratory distress
- Death
What to do if your cat has eaten a pepino:
If you suspect your cat has eaten a pepino, especially the leaves, stems, or unripe fruit, it is important to seek veterinary attention immediately. Treatment will depend on the severity of the poisoning and may include:
- Inducing vomiting to remove any remaining plant material
- Administering activated charcoal to absorb the toxin
- Providing supportive care, such as fluids, electrolytes, and anti-vomiting medication
- Monitoring the cat’s vital signs and neurological status
Prevention:
To prevent solanine poisoning in cats, keep all parts of the pepino plant out of reach. If you are growing pepinos in your garden, be sure to fence off the area or keep cats indoors when the plants are bearing fruit.
The article was created by AI.
We received responses from Google Gemini to the following questions.
My cat ate an “pepino”. What should I do? Answers should be in English.
577