Allergy Skin Prick Test
This test is performed in your doctors office so they can observe any reactions.
Using a clean needle, your doctor will prick your skins surface , and deposit a tiny amount of the allergen. Youll likely be tested for several allergens at the same time. Youll also be skin pricked with a control solution that has no allergens. Your doctor may number each prick to identify the allergen.
In about 15 to 20 minutes, the skin prick site may become red or swollen. This reaction confirms an allergy to that substance. A positive cat allergy will usually cause a red, itchy bump to the cat allergen. These unpleasant effects generally go away 30 minutes after the test.
Are Hydrangeas Poisonous To Cats
Hydrangeas are woody plants that yield rounded clusters of flowers in colors like white, lavender, and blue. Although they look pretty, they can be poisonous to cats.
Some of the compounds in hydrangeas can theoretically break down to cyanide gas in the stomach, I would definitely advise against letting your cat eat these, says Bischoff. I would expect hydrangeas to cause a more severe gastric and intestinal irritation, possibly bloody diarrhea.
What You Should Do
If you think your cat has ingested something poisonous, contact a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away. The APCC is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 888-426-4435 to help with emergencies involving poisoned pets. A $75 consultation fee may apply when you call, but a portion of that is covered if you have an ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan.
The APCC is staffed with trained experts who have experience handling more than 3.5 million cases. They also have access to an extensive database, which helps them assess the situation and give treatment recommendations quickly. Plus, they are able to work with your veterinarian or an emergency hospital if your cat needs hands-on treatment.
Keep in mind that its not a good idea to try to treat your cat without professional advice, for instance, by attempting to induce vomiting. You could risk injuring your cat or yourself. Even the friendliest of kitties can bite or scratch when theyre scared or in pain. Also, do your best to remain calm, which can help your cat do the same.
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Which Parts Of The Plant Are Toxic To Cats
If a plant is poisonous to cats, assume that all parts of the plant are poisonous, even though some parts of the plant may have higher concentrations of the toxin than others.
Toxic doses can vary widely from plant to plant. In some cases, ingesting a small amount can have devastating results, while for other plants, cats may need to be exposed to relatively large amounts of other plants before symptoms develop.
How Cat Allergies Are Diagnosed
There are two ways to test for any allergy, including to cats: skin testing and blood tests. There are two types of skin allergy tests. A skin prick test and an intradermal skin test. Both tests give fast results and tend to cost less than blood tests.
Certain medications can interfere with skin testing, so talk to your doctor about which test is best for you. Skin testing is usually done by an allergist due to the possibility of severe reactions during testing.
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Plants That Cause Allergies In Pets
Certain trees, shrubs, grasses and herbaceous plants can cause pet skin allergies. Sometimes, the plants pollen is to blame, but some plants can cause itchiness and rashes on pets just from contact. And just like us, creating an allergy friendly garden can help alleviate their distress. Below Ive listed some plants that cause allergies in pets and how they may be problems for them. This way you can remove any of the possible suspects from the area or the home.
Are Tulips Poisonous To Cats
One of early springs typical flowers, tulips actually belong to the lily family . They contain Tulipalin A and B, chemical compounds that Kelley says are poisonous to cats.
They are in highest concentration in the bulbs, but the plant if ingested, can cause vomiting, hyper-salivation, diarrhea, and depression, he adds.
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Plants Poisonous To Cats
There are several common plants than can be dangerous to cats. Cats only need meat in their diet, not plants or vegetables. But, being curious creatures, they will sometimes lick, chew or eat plants. This can put them at risk of plant toxicity.
The danger level will often depend on the type of plant and the amount eaten. Cats can also get the pollen or sap from poisonous plants on their skin. This can damage the skin or cause more serious problems inside their body after your cat grooms and licks themselves.
Get to know the signs of plant poisoning in your cat.
Important
Its important to speak to your vet if you think your cat has come into contact with a poisonous plant, even if you didnt see them lick or eat it.
Exposure To Cut Flowers And Spring Flowering Plants In Cats And Dogs In The Uk
Nicola Bates Wednesday, February 1, 2012
In the spring the Veterinary Poisons Information Service often receives enquiries about dogs, and occasionally cats, that have eaten spring flowers or bulbs in the garden or while out walking. In cats a common source of plant exposure involves cut flowers and bouquets. Most of the plants involved cause gastrointestinal effects. In most cases these signs are mild to moderate but occasionally some plants such as daffodils and particularly lilies can cause more significant toxicity requiring more active intervention. Some of the spring flowering plants can also cause allergic dermal reactions but these are usually not significant in cats and dogs.
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Is Cat Asthma A Common Problem
Asthma and allergies are linked, and asthma is a major concern for cats.
According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, around 800,000 cats in the United States have an asthma condition.
While this is a small number of felines, at about 1% of the cat population, asthma is a serious respiratory ailment.
Pollen allergies are one risk factor for developing the disease. You are likely to see some telltale signs of an asthma attack if your cat develops the respiratory issue.
Do Your Houseplants Hold Hidden Dangers For Your Moggy Here Are The Plants Cats Are Allergic To
There are some plants cats are allergic to and some which are lethal to them. Find out which could endanger your pet…
You may not realize it, but there are some plants cats are allergic to. While this isnt a problem if your furry friend isnt intent on chewing everything in sight, others are that bit more inquisitive. We love them for it, but in some cases it can pose potentially serious issues. So just like having a good knowledge of the five human foods that are poisonous to cats, it pays to know which plants pose a danger to your moggy.
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One of the biggest offenders in the plant kingdom is the lily. Whether its an Easter Lily or a Tiger Lily, the consumption of any part of this plant breed can lead to fatal kidney failure, with the FDA reporting that death could come in as little as three days.
Even if your cat isnt prone to eating them, you still need to watch out. An act as simple as brushing against them could potentially cause the ingestion of fatal toxins, so they will need to be taken away from their reach of either out of the house entirely, or into an area where they arent able/are forbidden to go.
A full list of flowers and plants cats are allergic to can be viewed in various places online for we recommend this guide from Cats Protection in particular.
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Are Cats Allergic To Tulips
Tulips are in the same category as lilies when it comes to cats and toxicity.
In fact, tulips are part of the Liliaceae family, along with lilies, that include a whopping 705 flower species. The plants in this family are all toxic to cats to varying degrees.
In the case of tulips, unlike lilies, the toxins are well-known to researchers mainly due to the way the compounds in the plant cause allergic dermatitis in humans. The same compounds, called lactones, are tulipalin A and tulipalin B and are toxic to cats.
The majority of the toxins are located in the bulbs of the tulips, but there are traces in the leaves and flowering parts of the plant. This means that your cat can become ill by eating tulips, but only if a larger quantity is consumed. Since the bulbs are highly toxic though, it really is a good idea to just keep tulips away from your furry friend.
How To Keep Cats Out Of Plants
Theres no way to ensure your cat wont nibble on your plants, so you should eliminate any toxic ones from your home. If you decide to have a few non-toxic plants around, these tips can help you keep your cat from making a mess of them.
- Place large rocks in the pot The rocks can add a decorative effect and help keep your cat from tipping the plant over or digging in the dirt.
- Use a cat-safe sprayer If you would prefer an alternative to using a cat-safe repellant, you can look into using an air sprayer such as Ssscat®.
- Put plants out of paw’s reach This can be tricky since cats tend to find a way to get at anything when they put their mind to it. Even high mantles or shelves can be problematic. Placing plants up high can tempt your cat to take a big jump and get hurt. However, if you have a safe room that your cat cant enter, it might be a good place for plants.
If you like the look of plants around your home but cant seem to keep your cat out of them, you can always consider using silk or plastic ones.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
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Why Do Cats Eat Plants
Cats are carnivores, right? So why in the world do they eat plants? There could be a nutritional deficiency in a cats a diet that promotes him to snack on plant material, Dr. Mahaney explains. Cats could also be looking for more moisture in their diet, particularly if they primarily eat dry kibble at meals. Or your cat could be feeling nauseated and looking for plants to help induce nausea on purpose, he says.
Most negative interactions between cats and plants happen when the cat chews on or eats a plant. Skin contact can sometimes cause irritation, as well. Some plants, like the pencil cactus , contain a milky sap that can cause dermatitis upon contact with areas on the body that have reduced hair as a protective mechanism, Dr. Mahaney says. Similarly, just like humans, poison ivy and poison oak might cause itchy, blistering skin reactions in cats if the toxic oils can get through the cats fur.
Popular Houseplants That Are Toxic To Cats
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Houseplants are common in nearly every home. They brighten your living space, help purify indoor air, and have been shown to help reduce anxiety and depressionplus many people find caring for plants therapeutic. Unfortunately, if you have cats there are houseplants you should not bring into your home due to their toxic propertiesespecially since cats are notoriously mischievous and prone to chewing on things. Here are some popular houseplants that you should avoid if you have cats.
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Symptoms To Watch For
Since many plants are irritants, most symptoms seen will be the result of irritation or inflammation, such as redness, swelling or itchiness of the eyes, skin or mouth.
When deeper parts of the gastrointestinal tract, like the stomach and intestines, become irritated, vomiting and diarrhea are likely.
If the toxin directly affects a particular organ, the symptoms seen will primarily be related to that organ. For example:
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooling or difficulty swallowing
- Excessive drinking and urinating
- Fast, slow, or irregular heart beat and weakness
Flowers That Are Poisonous To Cats
Theres no denying the beauty of freshly-cut tulips or a garden bed of lilies, but flowers like these can make cats sick or even be fatal. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reports that both indoor and outdoor plants are among the top 10 toxins pets most frequently ingest.
We see regular cases of exposure and intoxication with indoor and outdoor cats, says Dr. Kevin Kelley, an emergency veterinarian at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Clearwater, Florida.
This doesnt mean you need to completely give up flowers. Knowing which flowers are poisonous to catsand taking steps to prevent access to them can go a long way to keeping your cat safe.
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Are Mums Poisonous To Cats
Mums are some of autumns most widely-grown flowers, presenting in deep orange, burgundy, purple, and yellow. They contain multiple toxic compounds that can cause vomiting, hyper-salivation, diarrhea, incoordination, and even skin inflammation from contact with some varieties, explains Kelley.
Ironically, pyrethrin flea sprays were once made from chrysanthemum flowers, says Bischoff. Pyrethrin is a natural insecticide that can cause some skin irritation, increased salivation, nausea, and vomiting in cats, both because of the effects on nerves and because they have a very bitter flavor.
Summer Allergies In Cats And Dogs
Hay fever ruins the summer for many humans, but pets can also be affected by pollen allergies. In cats and dogs, pollen is more likely to cause a skin reaction than sneezing.
Dogs and cats who scratch mostly in the summer are likely to be allergic to grass and weed pollens, though there may still be some tree pollen about.
Skin allergies present as scratching, rubbing, biting, and licking. Pets may become grumpy due to a lack of sleep. These symptoms can also be seen with summer infestations of fleas, so comb through the coat and make sure you are using an effective and safe flea control product.
Some cats and dogs will suffer from allergic rhinitis due to pollen and may sneeze, cough, or become lethargic when the pollen count is high.
Pollen is difficult to avoid but you may want to avoid dog walks when the pollen count is high, keeping doors and windows closed so less pollen enters the house, and rinsing your pet off after a walk. If you live by the sea, try a beach dog walk! Bedding should be washed more often to remove the build up of pollen, and you may want to consider a low pollen garden.
Vets can offer a range of treatments for summer pollen allergies if the pollen proves impossible to avoid.
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Are Lilies Poisonous To Cats
According to Pet Poison Helpline, lilies are one of the top ten cat poisons.
True lilies and daylilies are so incredibly toxic to cats that they arent ever allowed in my house, says Bischoff. The prognosis for a cat with lily poisoning is poor to grave.
All parts of the plant, including the pollen, should be avoided as they can cause kidney failure in cats.
Early symptoms of lily poisoning include excessive salivation or drooling, vomiting, and lethargy, which can range from mild to noticeable, says Kelley.
Any exposure is considered a severe emergency, and decontamination and detoxification with supportive care is key to long term survival and minimizing damage, he says.
Are Daffodils Poisonous To Cats
While daffodils are a beautiful sign of spring, they are unfortunately dangerous for our feline friends. Daffodil bulbs contain crystals that are extremely toxic to cats if eaten.
The heads and leaves can also make your cat unwell if consumed. Daffodils contain a poisonous substance called lycorine. If digested, this can cause stomach upset, vomiting or wider serious illness.
If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a daffodil, please seek advice from your vet immediately.
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Protecting Cats From Flower Poisoning
Always research the flower youre planning to purchase, whether its an indoor or outdoor plant, recommends Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director at ASPCAs Animal Poison Control Center and a board-certified veterinary toxicologist. It is best to familiarize yourself with the list of toxic plants and keep these types of plants out of your home or garden for the health and safety of your pet.
If you do keep a toxic plant, keep it out of kittys reach. Typically, this includes making a physical barrier, adds Wismer. With some plants, a single exposure could be life threatening.
Cats love to dig through potting soil, says Lund, so pet parents can take steps to make potted plants and flowers unappealing to cats. If you have larger houseplants, sometimes putting rocks or other deterrents on top of the soil can limit cat access and prevent your plants from becoming another litter box.
Even if youre careful about what you plant outside on your own property, you cant control what your neighbors grow. If your kitty spends any time outdoors, keep him away from any flowers that are toxic to cats.
If you suspect your cat has been exposed to a toxic plant , contact your veterinarian, ASPCA Poison Control , or the Pet Poison Helpline .