Cat ate part of a dieffenbachia - Advice?

**never2late** · 07-25-2009, 07:22 PM

Yesterday my daughter brought home a plant she received as a gift - I believe it's a dieffenbachia. My cat apparently chewed on it and I believe ate some of it. I didn't catch her at it; only found the chewed on plant and part of a leaf. She seemed to be fine last night. Fed her this morning and left to do grocery shopping. When I got back I noticed that she tried eating, but only seemed to chew up her dry food and there are pieces all over. When I did some checking, I saw how dangerous this plant is for cats - it inflames the mucous membranes and they have a very hard time swallowing and it is listed as a toxic plant for cats.

I was able to get her to eat some canned cat food that I had on hand, but she is a real chow-hound normally and eats everything I give her. She ate some of it but that was it. Tonight she didn't want the cat food, but I opened a can of tuna and was able to get her to eat a bit of that.

I called my vet this afternoon, but long story made short, that was of no help at all- (said he would have to research it! - I'm guessing it was one of the large animal vets on call today that knows nothing about small animals), but he didn't offer to get back to me either. There is a 24-hour emergency pet service available, but I know it's really expensive, and I'm not sure if there is anything else they can do for her besides what I'm doing at this point. She's not sick enough to need IVs or anything. I know this place is really expensive. I'm not against spending the money if I know there is something else they can do for her, cause this dang cat is REALLY important to me.

Anyone out there have any advice?

**Debbie-cat** · 07-25-2009, 08:01 PM

I believe that cats won't eat these plants. It is like a sixth sense that they know it is dangerous....but if she did make sure she is getting plenty of water. I wouldn't worry too much about her eating, it would be more dangerous if she became dehydrated. If she seems to have difficulty breathing then I would get her to a vet asap. I hope she does okay and poops it out soon.

**frugalwarrior** · 07-25-2009, 08:07 PM

That's bad. Diefenbachia will paralyze his throat and it will swell close. Call the E-clinic Hurry if you even think he did. It could kill him.!!!

**Nana2two** · 07-25-2009, 08:19 PM

I would make sure to get water down him. don't about food. Get a eye dropper and just keep using that.

**Nana2two** · 07-25-2009, 08:24 PM

I found this also.

Dear friend,

I am glad he did not swallow it as it can be toxic. The oil can cause burns and irritation to the mucus membranes of his mouth, hence eating maybe painful for him.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/c...on/Dieffsp.htm

Offer him milk, canned food with water added or baby food human baby food in meat flavours (check that there are no onions or garlic in the ingredients) and mix that with warm water and offer that, or syringe it in little bits into your cat's mouth. Beech Nut makes a line of baby food that has nothing but meat (beef, chicken, turkey or veal) in it. Here's a link: http://www.beechnut.com/Our%20Baby%20Food/Results.asp If you cannot find this, you could find another meat baby food - just read the label carefully to be sure there are no onions, onion powder, garlic, or garlic powder in it.

Put a dab of plain vaseline on his paw for him to lick off.

Do not give him any human OTCs as most are toxic to cats.

If his mouth needs a rest, feed baby food with no onion or garlic for a few days.

If he wont eat, and your cat is not diabetic begin by giving him two droppers (cc size) of unflavored pedialyte every ten minutes for an hour. Next water down(plain water) canned cat food or baby food chicken or turkey with no onion or garlic and give only one dropper every ten minutes for another hour. Wait two hours and repeat both. When he feels hydrated he will lick up the gruel on his own.

Give him droppers of unflavored pedialyte a few times a day to make sure he stays hydrated.

If he throws it up have him seen immedately.

Read more: http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...#ixzz0MJvXFOEp

**frugalfranny** · 07-26-2009, 03:35 AM

No more than what was already posted........but keep us informed on how she is doing.

If she only ingested a tad bit she might make it through......it is the 'juice' that is poisonous and there would be more of that in the stem so maybe with just a leaf she will get better soon. Hope so.......

**frugalwarrior** · 07-26-2009, 07:40 AM

Please write back. I have a dozen cats and now it's on my mind.

**mikandmari** · 07-26-2009, 07:50 AM

Try to find a vet who is reasonable priced (not the big fancy animal hospitals) and request a shot of steroids to reduce the swelling.

This is what we did after accidentally putting the 50 lb+ dog Advantage flea prevention on the cat, which can cause death.

We took him to an older, less gung-ho vet who is known for being more realistic with how much a working-class family can afford to spend. In a few days, Fester was fine.... and we learned to be much more careful with flea prevention.

**Goodwin17** · 07-26-2009, 02:04 PM

I hope your kitty is ok. I have no advice, just hugs!

**never2late** · 07-26-2009, 09:02 PM

Cat update....

She seems to be doing a bit better today - she's up and playing and walking around. Yesterday I was really worried because she laid underneath my bed the entire day, which is not one of her usual lounging spots. I think she just wasn't feeling too good.

I ran this morning and bought some extra canned food for her. She's still a little bit picky about the eating, but she is actually eating a little bit, so I consider that a good sign. Also, yesterday when she ate you could see she was having a hard time getting food down by the way she would contort her head when she was chewing and eating, but today she looks more normal. She doesn't seem to be drinking much though.

I swear this cat has 9 lives. I found her out in our barn almost 2 years ago. I think she was abandoned by her mom (lots of ferral cats around). She was so thin the wind could blow her away and she fit in the palm of my hand. I brought her inside to nurse her back to health and she just never left! I think because of her early life, she's always been a bit of a fanatic about food - she lets you know when it's time to eat and eats it all at once.

I truly believe she ate at least one if not two or more leaves. The plant looks like there are about 3-1/2 leaves missing and I found 1/2 a chewed leaf on the table. Thus the panic mode when she couldn't eat yesterday, especially when you read online how bad it is for them.

I'm going to make an appointment tomorrow by the vet just to have her checked out though. Unfortunately the vet is in a practice with a number of other vets and so they take turns with weekends. I really wasn't happy with the service I received from them yesterday.

Thanks for all the advice and concern. I'm keeping my fingers crossed there are no long term problems from this.

**Debbie-cat** · 07-26-2009, 09:13 PM

I am glad that she is more normal today. I am sure she will now be fine but I think it is a good idea to get her checked out. Get rid of the plant!

**never2late** · 07-27-2009, 01:06 PM

Just got back from the vet. I'm glad I took her in as she was becoming dehydrated. They pumped her up with some fluids, gave me an antihistamine to give her and some food that's easy on her tummy, and vet advised I mix it with some water to keep her hydrated. I think I'm VERY lucky she's okay, especially considering how much of it she ate. According to the vet, this plant immediately relases toxins the moment it's chewed. Her throat is still red and swollen but hopefully in a week she'll be back to normal.

**never2late** · 07-27-2009, 01:09 PM

On yeah, and the plant has to go! My daughter brought it home and set it on the table (received it as a gift) and within 3 hours the cat had gotten into it. I don't even buy poinsettias at Christmas anymore because she likes to chew on plants, and the only plants I own are some aloe vera I like to keep on hand for burns.

DD will be taking it back to college with her, but in the meantime it will have to be kept in the garage!

**pinetree** · 07-27-2009, 04:33 PM

So glad she is ok, now I know never to bring one in my house! I guess you never know what they will get into.

**shoiji** · 07-28-2009, 03:07 PM

To get her to drink more try leaving a cup or small glass filled with water out. My cat seems to prefer drinking out of a mug then her bowl. Just a thought.

Glad to hear you kitty will be ok.