Dangers Continued...Getting Shut In
Cats are naturally curious and notorious for their
ability to sneak into places where they
may not be wanted. There are many tales of cats being shut
under floorboards, or into
removal vans, or just getting locked into a neighbor's
garden shed. This can have dire
consequences, as lack of water can cause dehydration. Older
cats are particularly
vulnerable because ageing kidneys mean that dehydration
occurs rapidly. If your cat is missing it is worth
thinking about what has been happening in the
neighborhood recently and going to make enquiries. You
should also call the
local vets and animal shelters or welfare societies in case
your wanderer has been taken
into one of these. Look on the internet as
well, as there are several sites where you
can report a missing pet. Poisonous Plants
There are many poisonous plants but, fortunately, most
cats rarely pay them any attention.
Young cats, and especially indoor cats, may through
curiosity or boredom, try chewing
houseplants – so they are most at risk of poisoning.
Particularly dangerous are
dieffenbachia (dumb cane or leopard lily), Easter lily (lilium
longiflorum) and some other
members of the lilium and hemerocallis family. Even small
quantities of lily leaf can be
dangerous. Do not have these as houseplants if you have a
cat. Other potentially
poisonous common plants include cyclamen, poinsettia and
amaryllis. Be careful when you are working in the garden.
Your cat may take an unhealthy interest
in discarded plant material, so remove it promptly. Garden
ponds are another hazard. Cats
interested in fishing may fall in and can drown! Any cat
that has “nearly drowned” should
see a vet, even if the pet appears unhurt, as there is a
risk of complications. Stitched Up?
Cats are fond of chasing bits of thread and these can
cause problems in two ways.
Needles can get stuck in the mouth and throat but, more
seriously, the thread may be
swallowed and can cause the bowel to become tucked-up and
telescoped in on itself.
Thread can even tighten to act like a cheese wire and cut
the bowel. This is extremely
dangerous and requires surgery. This can also happen from
eating tinsel at Christmas, or raiding the kitchen trash and eating
string
used to tie up meat. Chewing electric cables can be
dangerous as well.
Dangers Continued again... |
