Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with severe stomach ulcers after eating Dieffenbachia leaves
By Müller, N et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·1998·Veterinä·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Extensive stomach ulcers due to Dieffenbachia intoxication in a cat].
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old cat was brought in for vomiting blood, not eating, and severe dehydration after eating parts of a Dieffenbachia plant, which is toxic to cats. The vet diagnosed extensive stomach ulcers caused by the plant's toxins. To help the cat recover, the vet provided supportive care, including electrolyte infusions, medications to protect the stomach lining, and a feeding tube to ensure the cat received nutrition. Thankfully, the cat showed quick improvement and recovered well after treatment.
People also search for: cat vomiting blood · Dieffenbachia poisoning in cats · cat stomach ulcers treatment
Abstract
Extensive gastric ulceration was diagnosed endoscopically and histologically in a two-year-old cat with haematemesis, anorexia and severe dehydration. Based on history (previous ingestion of leaf pieces of Dieffenbachia) and exclusion of another cause, intoxication with Dieffenbachia was diagnosed. The toxical effect of Dieffenbachia on mucous membranes is probably explained by ejection of calcium oxalate crystals leading to injury of mast cells and a massive histamine release. Supportive treatment including electrolyte infusions, ranitidine, sucralfate, and forced feeding using an endoscopically placed gastrostomy tube resulted in quick clinical recovery of this cat.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9857422/