Multiple cat poisoning

[lacherfleema]

We have a total of 10 outside cats that we have been trying to get fixed and fostered out. They started ferrel from one mother. One began hypersalvating and then a number of them followed at various times during the next day. We have seen two tremble, but not in the last day or so. They have been lethargic and they were not able to bring hard food into their mouths. We have been giving them wet food and most are eating that really well. We are now on the third day of watching and a couple seem a little less lethargic. My boyfriends car leaked transmission fluid in our driveway that first night and it rained, this is the only known toxin. I did clip Oleander bushes as well that day. A poisoned rodent or neigbor poisoning possible. Question is what do we do now? There was a suggestion of 1/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup egg whites to help coat intestines. We cannot afford vet bills for 6 cats. Do they have a chance at living at this point? Is there anything we can do for them? If they do live will they have further complications?

[Traci]

Please understand, no internet forum can diagnose these cats, ONLY A VET CAN.

With that said, please, make every attempt to get at least two of the cats to the vet IMMEDIATELY, and fully explain the situation as it seems to be affecting most of the cats. He can choose various tests for FELV/FIV, toxicity, distemper, etc.

No milk and eggwhites, this could be counterproductive. The vet, upon exam and experience, can tell you what food/diet is most appropriate.

I doubt transmission fluid would be the cause, since it would not be appealing to them in the way that ANTIFREEZE would. Oleanders are toxic to cats, but do you have evidence in the yard they were eaten/nibbled on? Unlikely most of these cats ate part of an oleander, usually it is curiosity or appealing factors of a plant that entices a cat to nibble on plants.

It could be any toxic substance, or it could be a viral disease. I suspect toxin given the time frame and so many cats with the same symptoms. Only a vet can determine with proper exam and testing (can start with a CBC which might help the vet a great deal). Once you've got a clearer diagnosis and treatment plan from the vet, then take extra precautions for the environment (i.e., directly ask neighbors if rodenticides, fertilizers, herbicides, intentional poisoning, etc occured - what food are you feeding them, has it been recalled, is it rancid, expired, etc?)

[lacherfleema]

Thank you. I wish we could take them to the vet but there is no way we can afford it. It will definitely lead to some sort of treatment or diagnsostic tests of which I can not afford for six. We are hoping for the best but just don't know what to expect. I know the answer is the vet but I am a single mom taking care of a parent and 2 of my own cats. I am hoping since they have made it this long.

[Traci]

Forgive me, but how do you know without trying? Explain the situation, explain the feral status of the cats, some vets may be partial to that and offer a minimum baseline exam to get to the true cause of the problem. Understand that vets are concerned about toxins, and if there was an unscrupulous person out there intentionally poisoning, for example, then someone needs to be aware of it. A vet can be a valuable resource if this turned out to be a case of animal abuse by a neighbor.

You need to be aware of any potential toxic problem in the cats' environment in order to rectify it. If neighbors are using pesticides, rodenticides, etc, then ALL outdoor cats in the area are at risk, feral or owned.

You need to know the effects of acute renal failure or liver or hematologic effects and other body system toxic effects when diagnosis and treatment is delayed. IF this was a nasty toxin that causes renal failure (like antifreeze), you will not see end-stage renal failure perhaps until 2 weeks later, and the result is painful, excruciating, debilitating for the cat, and INCURABLE by then. Rodenticides for example, are toxic effects on the hematologic system and cats can hemorrhage, this too is painful, debilitating and fatal. Quick and early diagnosis is the key to treatment and survival!!!

By NOT getting veterinary attention, these cats continue to be at risk, as do other pets in the area.

Please, get at least one or two cats to a vet, RIGHT NOW.

[Susan and the girls]

I totally understand your position with regards to money. I am a parent of three (small) children whose husband was laid off nearly 16 months ago, and hasn't been able to find work since. Money is very precious to us as well, and *believe me* I know what you're going through. You're not alone in these bad economic times.

Most vets are more than happy to work with you on payments. I've found that people who become vets aren't in it for the money. They're in the field because they love animals. (Since vet school can sometimes be harder to get into than human-medical school, they certainly could have chosen a more lucrative field if they were into the money!)

The only way to diagnose something so odd as what you're seeing in your cats is to take them in to be examined. This forum is great, and it has provided me tons of support, but nothing can replace a visit to a vet. If you don't find out exactly what the cause is, and the cats survive, the same toxin or disease can hit again and do this all over again. PLUS (and this is my personal soapbox, and those who know me KNOW this is my soapbox), if you have a neighbor who is purposely poisoning your cats, THAT PERSON NEEDS TO BE REPORTED. Animal cruelty (such as poisoning) is a felony in many states..... Also, what if that IS what's happening, and someone's child is the next (unwitting) victim???

Will you let us know what you find out? I sure hope you can get help for the cats and that they recover.

Praying for your cats.

[lacherfleema]

Thank you. I too lost my job and am a single mom taking care of a parent, not the best time for this by any means.
Well, we took one to the vet. Negative Leukemia and FV, antibiotics for oral infection for 10 cats = $150.00. We won't even talk about what it takes to get antibiotics to 10 half ferrel cats that are ill and running from you. Vet said they could have a respiratory infection and we could be treating symptoms, but they don't seem to have any other symptoms so I feel a little at ease with this. The vet seemed to avoid poisoning questions, she was very vague and changed the subject quickly. To keep my heart at ease, I keep telling myself that if someone poisoned them they would have given enough to kill at least one. I called three vets here and none could do anything but get them in that day and didn't know of any available resources. There doesn't seem to be the same concern here. I don't feel like I get answers when I go to vets just symptom control unless you can pay thousands of dollars. I've done that too and paid the thousands of dollars and my kitty went through surgeries for answers and my cat died without answers too. My faith is a little shaken, I apologize for the negativity. I've typed this three times and the site keeps erasing it so it's been getting worse each time
Our biggest concern now is June and Chewy. June was the worst and we thought we may lose her due to lack of food or water. Her mouth was crusted with blood, not closed but she wouldn't open, she was miserable. She started 6 days ago and started opening her mouth early yesterday (my mom believes she saw her eat). The vet said to give pepcid and lysine but I fear that if I run at her with too much I may not get the antibiotic in her, everytime gets harder as she knows what I'm doing more the antibiotic is priority to save her. I read up a little and got some baby food and tried this morning and she wouldn't eat it but then went to the wet food and began eatting. I hope we caught her in time. Chewy was doing really good, but today is smacking his lips again. He is about a day behind the others on antibiotics, but his symptoms had resolved prior. It is still early in the game though.
I want to thank you both for your help and concern.

[Traci]

This does not sound like a respiratory virus, since you'd also see sneezing, congestion, runny eyes.

The blood in or around the mouth is also not indicative of a respiratory infection. You could be dealing with something else entirely for that cat, such as a traumatic injury, like hit by a car. Some poisons like rodenticides can cause hemorrhage and one might see bleeding from the mouth (because there is blood and fluid from a hemorrhage somewhere internally).

Hypersalivation is indicative of nearly anything but since you only provided one other symptom, lethargy, this sounds more like a toxicity of some sort.

PLEASE, thoroughly investigate the yard/area where the cats eat, sleep, etc. Check YOUR yard for any toxic plants, gargage for any spills, sheds for any rodenticides, etc. What are you feeding them, is the food a high quality food or one that has been recalled in the past?

Is there any mold near their food dishes, sleeping places? Do you have moldy birdseed laying around on the ground? Anything else with mold? Are the water sources clean?

How well do you know your neighbors, have you ASKED your neighbors if they are putting out rodenticides or poisoning for other means? (they may not necessarily be intentionally poisoning neighbor pets, but might be addressing a mouse problem etc and unaware neighbor cats are getting into it)!! You need to ASK them!

The only virus that would affect a large number of cats in a sudden time period would be distemper (feline panleukopenia), the symptoms include, upper respiratory infection such as greenish-colored eye or nose discharge, congestion in nose and chest, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, unusually seeking water sources but unable to drink, lethargy, fever....drooling is a cause of fever and dehydration as a result of little to no water intake and as a result of vomiting or diarrhea. Diarrhea is usually blood-tinged. If the vet even hinted at distemper, you need to ask her to seriously consider this so she can alert other vets in the area (and shelters) to prevent an outbreak in the community.

Distemper is usually treated by IV fluids and proper nutrition and other medications when indicated.

Vets aren't much different than human doctors, they need paid too. Also, testing is necessary in many cases to get to the source, unfortunately, these tests cost. Testing is a matter of necessity to rule out various things that can mimic another, and without testing, you aren't getting to the cause. Some vets take hold-checks, something to consider.

You need to monitor these cats, but you also need to ask your neighbors if they are putting toxins out for mice, etc.

As for your posts getting erased, they shouldn't be unless you have a session open here for an extended amount of time. To avoid that, when you log in, check the box near the login that says "keep me logged in".

[lacherfleema]

Thanks for the tip, I was on for alongtime. Here is a quick overview of the initial days. A couple of kittens were acting lethargic, then one was hypersalvating with a foul odor & appeared feverish & lethargic. Through the next day four more followed without odor. They went to hard food but couldn't pick it up & wouldn't drink. A few of the others were off & on with it, these seemed to be the more finicky of the eaters. They would smell food & leave it. Suspect other cats drool on food as method of transmission. By Monday June looked like she had a dirt mustache, they next day we saw it on blankets & suspected that it may be blood from inside her mouth. Vet said the tongue and gums were inflammed & infected. She began to get weak & lethargic. The day before I got to vet two of the ones who had no mouth signs began to & we began to realize that this was no longer a single event but now something that is spreading amongst them. We had started separate feedings the night before having guessing that it couldn't hurt. I had looked at food and changed from friskies to meow mix, but can't find recent recall info. They all did not want to eat some cheap Paws brand we had gotten about a month prior though.
As far as neighborhood, I am hesitant. One neighbor has made humane society threats s couple of times and would probably respond with "good". May give her ideas or make her put more, if that's the case. I don't believe that either would stop if they were. Sad I know. They stay mostly in our garage & back yard, but we also live across the street from a creek. We have a large back yard with a pool and a deck they go under and big shrubs to hide in. They take down squirrels, birds, lizards, whatever they can we have alot of gofers. May be pretty difficult to determine. You know we had a washing machine drain problem that has left some mold on the wall in our garage. I will clean it just in case. Thanks for input.

[Traci]

Do you ever see the cats drink from the creek? Any chance of contamination in the creek from upstream somewhere? Or do you provide them fresh water in dishes?

Please do check your garage for anything they might have gotten into, turpentine, solvents, antifreeze, paints, paint thinners, anything toxic.

Some lizards and toads are toxic. As long as the cats are getting a continued source of quality food, this will lessen the likelihood they would need to eat lizards or toads.

Inflammation, redness, infection of gums and tongue could indicate plant toxins, or any other chemical from spills in the yard, garage, etc. Again, please check your yard and garage for any signs.

Is the pool covered? If not, any stagnant water in the pool could be hazardous, maybe not enough for toxic ingestion, but enough to cause some serious side effects (particularly if there is mold around the edges or if the water has been stagnant for some time.)

[lacherfleema]

As I was taking another look around our garage I found it. A tip over bottle of antifreeze in a box had been leaking on a low shelf. I can't thank you enough, I had looked through our cleaning and stuff on shelves but forgot about a packed away box. I don't know that I would have looked again but I did because of your messages. Kitties are getting better, hope they continue. I feel terrible, we were the people who poisoned them.