Scented Geranium Poisoning in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost (2024)

FAQs

Scented Geranium Poisoning in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost? ›

Common symptoms for felines to develop after ingesting the scented plant include; anorexia, depression, diarrhea and vomiting. A large quantity ingestion of this plant has also been reported to cause hypothermia, muscle weakness and ataxia.

Geraniums contain essential oils (linalool, gerinaol) which can cause gastrointestinal upset or skin irritation with exposure. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, depression or lethargy, anorexia (i.e. lack of appetite) and dermatitis.

The primary toxic agents in Sweet Scented Geranium are the essential oils it contains. Cats, with their sensitive constitutions, can experience gastrointestinal upset upon ingesting any part of the plant.

25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435). Even with treatment, one in 100 poisoned pets dies.

Scientific Name: Pelargonium sp. Clinical Signs: Primarily GI upset. Could also see ataxia, muscle weakness, depression or hypothermia in larger exposures, cats are most sensitive.

Uncharacteristic sluggishness, unsteady gait, drooling, heavy breathing, diarrhea, seizures, and sudden bouts of vomiting are among the common clinical signs of feline poisoning (toxicosis). A cat owner who observes any of these signs will do an animal a huge favor by seeking emergency veterinary care.

Symptoms of Poisoning in Cats

Depending on the plant species that has been ingested, the early signs and symptoms of poisoning can vary greatly. Irritants may cause symptoms such as: irritation around the mouth, itchiness, swelling, and red or watery eyes.

1. Lilies. This beautiful unofficial symbol of Spring is among the most toxic flowers to cats. All varieties - including the Easter, Tiger, Stargazer, Red, Wood, and Day - are unsafe.

These plants are known as pelargoniums and contain small amounts of the toxic compounds geraniol and linalool. These substances are not toxic to humans, and in fact, scented geraniums have been used in cakes, jams, and teas for centuries.

The primary diseases encountered on seedling geraniums are Damping-Off, Pythium Root Rot, Rhizoctonia Root and Crown Rot, and Botrytis Leaf Blight, Crown Rot, and Flower Blight.

How much does it cost to treat a poisoned cat? ›

Average Cost of Treatment

Perhaps your cat is curious and ingests some medications lying on your bathroom counter? Treatment for cat poisoning from human medications can cost between $250-$2,000.

Your veterinarian might induce vomiting, give the cat activated charcoal to absorb toxins in the gut, give the cat intravenous fluids, or provide other medications. Veterinarians may run tests again to monitor the cat and make sure the toxic substance has left her system.

Whether or not a cat can recover from poisoning without veterinary treatment depends on the overall health of the cat, the amount of toxic substance the the cat was exposed to, and the type of poison. Most of the time, it is still a very good idea to call your vet for advice.

The leaves, stem, roots, and especially the flower of the scented geranium contain essential oils, linaool and geranoil, which are toxic to felines, as well as other domestic animals like horses and dogs.

Lavender, geranium, and eucalyptus

Likewise, geranium and eucalyptus plants give off an odor that cats dislike. Keep in mind that lavender, geranium, and eucalyptus are all somewhat toxic to cats; if ingested, they can cause excess salivation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, depression, or dermatitis.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) cautions that lavender plants are toxic for cats as well as dogs and horses. Cats lack the ability to digest two natural substances found in lavender: linalool and linalyl acetate.

Symptoms of garden plant toxicity in cats vary based on the type of plant, the part of the plant, and the amount the cat ingested. In many cases symptoms are immediate, but they can be delayed up to a few days.

Symptoms: Leaves: infected leaves typically develop two types of symptoms: small, discrete, water-soaked or brown spots and V- or pie-shaped, angular lesions; some leaves develop distinctly darkened veins and wilt at leaf margins.

The other toxic component, linalool, is a terpene chemical that can cause eczema and allergic reactions. Both these chemicals are only found in low levels in geraniums, however ingestion of any part of the plant can cause vomiting, reduced appetite, and depression in dogs.

Eventually, if poisoning is severe, stiffness, paralysis, and seizures are common. Death occurs from cardiovascular and respiratory failure. Clinical symptoms generally progress rapidly and persist for days and even weeks.