Ethanol Toxicosis in Cats

Feb 12, 2019 | Pet Health, Pets

Happy Monday everyone!  I wrote this post over a year ago but after receiving such great feedback on my questionnaire and more requests to post on cat related topics, I decided to do more research and re-post for those who are new to the blog and to all the cat lovers out there.  I wrote a similar post around the same time, Is Beer and Wine Toxic to Dogs and Cats (HERE), with the same look and feel.  This website (HERE) from Merck Veterinary Manual is a more detailed clinical description of Alcohol toxicosis results in metabolic acidosis, hypothermia, and CNS depression. All species are susceptible.
 
The pictures in both posts are very dark.  We put our models, Jake and Maggie, in a darker setting and Thomas started snapping pictures.  We had fun with the pictures and experimenting with the darker side of imagery.  What do you think?  Honestly, I like the brighter more colorful pictures myself but it was fun to change things up a bit.
 
 

"If all else fails, hug your cat"

What is Ethanol Toxicosis?  

Exposure to ethanol, either orally or through the skin, is a common source of toxicity in household pets.

  • Depression of the central nervous system is typical of ethanol poisoning
  • Expressed as drowsiness
  • Lack of coordination or loss of consciousness.
  • Other effects may include damage to body cells, and symptoms such as incontinence, slowed heart rate, and even heart attack.

Ethanol poisoning in cats can occur as a result of exposure:

  • Dyes
  • Inks
  • Disinfectants
  • Mouthwashes
  • Paints
  • Perfumes
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Gasoline
  • Certain beverages
 

Symptoms and Types:

Symptoms will vary depending on the amount of ethanol ingested, and whether your cat’s stomach was full or empty. The main symptom is a depressed central nervous system, which may develop 15 to 30 minutes after ingestion on an empty stomach, and up to two hours when ingested on a full stomach.

Other symptoms include:

  • Urinating or defecating involuntarily.
  • Higher doses of ethanol ingestion can bring about behavioral changes ranging from depression to excitement
  • Decreased body temperature (hypothermia)
  • Slow reflexes
  • Flatulence if bread dough is the source of ethanol
  • Signs of advanced ethanol poisoning include depression, slowed breathing and heart rate, an increase in total body acid (metabolic acidosis), and heart attack. If left untreated, this can result in your cat’s death.
  • Symptoms of ethanol poisoning may also be similar to early stages of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) poisoning.
 

Causes:

​Ethanol poisoning can occur from the ingestion of a variety of products. Fermented products such as:

  • Bread dough
  • Rotten apples
  • Food that a cat can easily find while digging through the garbage
  • Poisoning can also occur when beverages, commercial products, or medications containing alcohol are spilled and lapped up by an animal. A toxic reaction from exposure to alcohol-containing products through the skin is also possible.
 

Diagnosis:

Your veterinarian will be able to conclusively diagnose ethanol poisoning via:

  • Blood tests that measure blood-ethanol concentrations in your cat’s bloodstream
  • A urine test for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may also point to ethanol poisoning
  • As well as a pH test for measuring heightened levels of acid in the body
 

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