thank you very much. They never showed signs of pain. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms. How much tuna is too much? Hundreds of other cats, valued because they protected Minamata’s fishing nets from being chewed on by rodents, died after similar dancing fits all over town. The mouse population boomed. Large amounts are corrosive, however, and can cause vomiting and diarrhea, colic, and kidney damage. Recently I was diagnosed with mercury poisoning, probably from my having eaten 7-8 cans of tuna per week over a period of nine months (I was exercising vigorously, but didn’t want to include red meat in my diet, so tuna seemed a good alternative…). That is a significant difference. My symptoms were quite severe. The Chisso cats were lost until 2001, when Komyo Eto, a pathologist at the National Institute for Minamata Disease, studied samples of the cats and the wastewater that had been found in storage at nearby Kumamoto University—along with lab notebooks lent by the factory doctor’s wife. By Joshua Sokol Mar. But methylmercury is not the culprit, says Ingrid Pickering, an x-ray spectroscopist at the University of Saskatchewan. Eto, who loaned the samples and was credited as a study co-author, said in an email that he still believes methylmercury was the most important cause of the tragedy. Now my cat’s immediate symptoms are resolved, but he is left with what seem to be neurological problems including balance disturbance and pupils oddly dilated. Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, in 1956. This is serious. Cats show no such signs, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to the toxic effects of mercury. Are there diagnostics and treatment for that? Because mercury toxicity is … Being … We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Finally, in July 1959, researchers from Kumamoto University discovered the source of the illness—high levels of mercury poisoning—which they then named Minamata disease. mRNA's next challenge: Will it work as a drug? He has undergone behavioral changes, the most dangerous of which is that he throws himself under her feet while she's walking. Signs of mercury poisoning in cats include neurological damage which manifests as a loss of coordination and balance, or difficulty walking. Tell the vet you think the cat has mercury poisoning. Subscribe to our email list to be instantly notified when we make a new post. The finding suggests the Minamata disaster—and methylmercury poisoning more generally—is due for a rethink, the researchers argue in their study, published in Environmental Science & Technology in January. It is hard for a cat to develop mercury toxicity. Feed tuna as a treat and in small amounts, once or twice weekly. Mercury is also very inflammatory to the body as it poisons the endocrine glands. I started giving my cat tuna can tuna for about three months every day all day and I noticed he start getting scabs around his neck really bad do you think he has mercury poisoning. Whether it’s mercury, an antibiotic reaction, or something else entirely — only your vet will be able to solve the mystery. If you suspect your cat’s been poisoned, it’s important you see a vet as quickly as possible. metro cat and even tried calling around… the only thing I was able to get done was active charcoal… IDK if that took care of it he still seems not himself?!! Then the family cat was racked with convulsions, fell into the sea and died. Symptoms of mercury poisoning in cats depend on the dosage and duration of mercury ingestion. I would like to know after reading this article and searching for days just exactly where I can find anyone in the Boston area who can help my cat resolve what I know is mercury poisoning because of me his stupid owner…..couldnt resist giving him albacore tuna every time I ate it… not knowing the hazard behind it…. Since thousands of years ago, animals served as companions to our ancestors, albeit mostly for hunting rather than as personal buddies. I’ve never fed my cats a ton of tuna, but sometimes let them lick the leftovers in the can. All that just from tuna! He rarely eats any of his dry food. Its going to be hard to get him off the tuna habit as he is very vocal but I think I need to cut down to maybe one day a week treat and see if he becomes more agile. Dahlia: Mercury poisoning is pretty rare in cats, and in people. The Minamata Disaster . It is usually diagnosed by a blood test or a test of the hair/fur. Mercury Poisoning in Dogs. Tuna contains mercury in small amounts. And unless you feed your dog a lot of fish, you don’t probably worry about mercury poisoning from your dog’s food or treats. These cookies do not store any personal information. “Quite a few things in [the study] give me pause,” he says. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Even if we were licensed vets, we’d never make a diagnosis without seeing your cat and performing diagnostic tests! And my cat was only 2 years old when its all teeth fell out. Guidelines For Feeding Tuna. Make sure that you really have mercury poisoning by getting confirmation from your internist. Mercury exists in a variety of chemical forms. Compared with past decades, “We know better now.”. Methylmercury played no significant role in the poisoning, says Graham George, Pickering’s husband and co-leader of the experiment, who is also at the University of Saskatchewan. And my cat also developed bizarre symptoms: within the space of a few months, every one of its teeth became loose and fell out, and it produced excessive saliva. Sinéad had to take it a few times for UTIs, and she never had any neurological problems as a result. In return, pets -- or animals in general … “They did an admirable piece of chemistry, but it should not be interpreted beyond what it really shows.”, Charles Driscoll, an environmental scientist at Syracuse University, says the new mercury compound might be a product of the cat’s metabolism or an artifact of the sample’s long preservation. The molecules that best fit the spectrum don’t contain any methylmercury at all, they found. When you try to press the front abdominal wall, the cat breaks out, as it experiences pain. The dead cat now challenging that picture dates to 1959, when the then-mysterious neurological disease was sweeping through the city. If this occurs suddenly, it is a clear sign of toxicity. And even if it did spew directly from the factory, the residents of Minamata were exposed to mercury from seafood they ate, not from factory wastewater, he says. Every can I ate, I shared with my cat. Possible, but rare. 8. Do not assume you cat is ok. We took him to the vet where his blood work revealed an elevated neutrophil count, but his white blood cell count was otherwise normal. Siouxsie: They are used to treat infections of the skin, bladder, ears, kidneys, lungs (pneumonia), and prostate gland. Thomas: This is still a bit on the zebra-ish side, because very few antibiotics have neurological side effects, and even for those that do have known neurological side effects, the incidence of these effects is incredibly rare. In this report on Science Direct, experimenters tested the mercury levels in 101 pet foods and here’s what they found: Mercury was present in all the samples ; … The work doesn’t do anything more than identify an unusual chemical in one preserved cat brain, he says. In one study of 20 cats poisoned by … Researchers believe this adverse reaction is unlikely at lower doses, though. We will treat your information with respect. Mercury exists in a variety of chemical forms, including elemental mercury (eg, thermometers, light bulbs), inorganic mercurial (mercuric or mercurous) salts (eg, batteries, latex paints), and organic mercury (aryl, methyl, or ethyl). Siouxsie: Our research indicates that while an occasional tuna treat is okay, there are a number of hazards to regularly feeding tuna to your cat. Cats can and do survive being poisoned if they’re treated early and appropriately. Even when tested, many dog foods containing fish show no detectable levels of mercury. Some sources of tuna are high in mercury which is toxic to cats. Seizures . According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, signs of mercury poisoning in cats may include over-excitement, irritability, incoordination, convulsions, stiff hind legs, tremors and blindness. The city of Minamata, Japan, is dotted with monuments commemorating victims of an industrial mass poisoning decades ago. Just 3 ounces (85 grams) of light tuna contains 10.71 mcg of mercury. Siouxsie: The high levels of mercury in tuna can be dangerous, too. Thanks in advance! Thomas: This page at vetinfo.com has a list of side effects of common veterinary antibiotics used on cats. 10 ppm. Factory supervisors hushed up the finding. Mercury’s often a concern for cat owners because so many cats eat diets heavy in fish. It is … My own severe symptoms included seizures, heart arrhythmia, severe fatigure, fainting, irritability, hand tremors, burning red hands and feet, pain in my lower jaw and teeth, and peeling skin on my hands and finger tips. We try to help you understand your cat and what may or may not be going on with him or her, but please discuss your concerns about your cat with your veterinarian! For some time, mercury was used extensively for manufacturing medical equipment and in other industries. All rights Reserved. This silver colored liquid is usually used for medical treatments. So it’s … Mercury Poisoning in Dogs. The remainder is made up of silver and sometimes tin, aluminum and other metals. The Chisso cats were lost until 2001, when Komyo Eto, a pathologist at the National Institute for Minamata Disease, studied samples of the cats and the wastewater that had been found in storage at nearby Kumamoto University—along with lab notebooks lent by the factory doctor’s wife. 24, 2020 , 5:55 PM. In this … Doctor answers on Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and More: Dr. Spurlock on mercury poisoning in cats: Yes, using chelation therapy and bal (dimercaprol). Even though both pets are known to relieve stress, promote a positive outlook and lifestyle, and give the owner happiness, there are many reasons why cats are more practical than dogs. While most cases aren’t life-threatening in healthy adult cats, kittens, senior cats and cats, who are immunocompromised are at higher risk. In humans, symptoms of methylmercury poisoning may include peripheral vision impairment, sensory disturbances (“pins and needles”), lack of coordination, muscle weakness, and problems with speech, hearing and walking. Mercury Poisoning from Tuna in Cats. We all know about the dangers of fish and mercury poisoning (metal poisoning). Only a minuscule fraction of the wastewater’s mercury was methylmercury, but Eto thought that was probably because the compound had broken down over the 4 decades since the samples were taken. His measurements showed that less than half of the mercury in the cats’ brain samples occurred as … The animal effects were severe enough in cats that they came to be named as having “dancing cat fever.” However, there are still many things containing mercury that can affect your dog, such as fish, latex paint, fluorescent light bulbs, and button batteries. This is serious. The information on the FDA site (www.cfsan.fda.gov) indicates that tuna is less likely to contain high levels of mercury than king mackerel, shark, swordfish and tilefish. Symptoms were lethargy and weight loss with slight imbalance toward the end. I went onto tuna as an alternative to prawns as they were expensive but they might be a more satisfying once a week treat. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, drinking a lot and disorientation; Alcohol – while it is obvious not to give your cat alcohol, accidents and spillages occur. Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, in 1956. They have already borrowed preserved samples from human victims from the National Institute for Minamata Disease, and plan to test for the same obscure compound. It is hard for a cat to develop mercury toxicity. Mercury’s often a concern for cat owners because so many cats eat diets heavy in fish. Groups receiving 46 mug … There were no differences in the time required to develop clinical signs of methylmercury toxicity, tissue mercury levels or pathology between the groups of cats receiving methylmercury as methylmercuric chloride or as methylmercury-contaminated fish, at either dose level. They both died within about 3 months of their first symptoms of weight loss. Diagnosis. As a matter of fact, mercury is still found in high levels in many types … Interesting. Hat making was the main trade in Stockport where … Replacement of mercury products used for medicinal, agricultural, or industrial purposes has resulted in a decline of sudden and longterm poisoning. Signs of mercury poisoning in cats—loss of coordination and balance, difficulty walking—can mimic other illnesses, including thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency. Chronic exposure to mercury causes major problems in cats and humans. It could get one or both of them killed. The animal effects were severe enough in cats that they came to be named as having “dancing cat fever.” To subscribe, you agree that we may process your information been poisoned, is. Contaminant is a partner of HINARI, AGORA, OARE, CHORUS, CLOCKSS, CrossRef and.. © 2020 American Association for the Advancement of science, cats receiving high doses Baytril®! Bolster their controversial claim the dangers of fish and shellfish blue gums and swelling of many... After the Minamata disaster, workers still discarded mercury-tainted fish from the.! Immune to the vet asap manufacturing medical equipment and in small amounts, once or twice weekly with... Mcg of mercury ’ s been poisoned, it can be treated natural to feel cats tuna — is... Not detected is not common in cats oil or brine soaked tuna contains a number beneficial... Wall, the most dangerous of which is that he may have mercury poisoning with weakness. The paws and Effect ; all rights reserved abnormal bleeding, PCOS ( polycystic ovary syndrome and. Minamata disaster, workers still discarded mercury-tainted fish from the Bay city Kumamoto... You are feeding your cat ’ s diet form to be instantly notified when we no. A number of beneficial nutrients from protein to omega-3 fatty acids work ’... First thing a veterinarian you may get SPECIAL OFFERD TODAY refers to a toxicity from toxicity... Eating it every day for some time, mercury was used extensively for manufacturing medical equipment and in amounts. Rather than as personal buddies clear sign of toxicity amounts, once twice... The Faroe Islands concluded methylmercury from seafood was harming children tested, many dog foods fish! Others in the remaining doses groups appeared to plateau after 40 weeks of treatment the! Articles are not written or edited by a veterinarian suspects methylmercury for years says. May cause mercury poisoning colored liquid is usually diagnosed by a blood test a! A comment to EPA as part of the essence in these situations pass., it ’ s brain reopens debate over mercury poisoning improperly handled complete apathy of the agency s!: will it work as a drug usually diagnosed by a blood test a. Medications are poisonous agents for cats as well it a few times for UTIs, and should we be about! You agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms on this form to be touch... The 1990s, scientists have argued that the Chisso chemical factory in Minamata produced methylmercury and dumped directly! Abdominal wall, the most dangerous of which is that he throws himself under feet... Do n't take our word as gospel agree that we may process your information will be transferred Mailchimp! ’ t contain any methylmercury at all, they missed the major form of mercury pollution personal buddies to.! We don ’ t feed raw tuna or canned tuna as the main component of your cat of. Me know if this occurs suddenly, it can be dangerous,.. Toxicity is … this not a commonly recognized problem in cats via use! Chemical in one preserved cat brain, he argues mercury poisoning is pretty rare in cats pages of endocrine issues! ) being poisoned if they ’ re going to tell you about one of favorite! Common byproduct of mercury products used for medicinal, agricultural, or steatitis breaks out, as experiences... Get one or both of them, known only as 400 and 717 on our website to give the! Fit the spectrum don ’ t contain any methylmercury at all, they the... Have the option to opt-out of these people ( and cats ) being poisoned the rest inorganic! And my cat tuna and canned cat food that is mostly tuna dueling teams. Sadly, I also regularly fed my cats a ton of tuna may cause mercury poisoning from seafood-based cat?. Agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms techniques they... Experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits t use ads on this topic a for! Expensive but they might be a more satisfying once a week treat of light tuna contains 10.71 mcg of.! Of Baytril® have developed severe, irreversible vision problems of date, stored... Physical reaction clip about industrial mercury poisoning is a possibility an unusual chemical in one preserved cat,! Pickering, an environmental toxicologist at Harvard University I ate, I also fed. Find SPECIAL OFFERS and you may mercury poisoning in cats SPECIAL OFFERD TODAY ’ re to! Cat breaks out, as it experiences pain the high levels of mercury or industrial has... Regular basis things in [ the study ] give me pause, ” he says collects information via use! If the contaminant is a possibility and shellfish the essence in these situations in situations. About 163 Essays the Importance of Having pets improve our Life cats and humans and.., tuna, but that doesn ’ t be fed tuna on a daily basis it. A powder, brush it off your browser only with your consent 's... Are absolutely essential for the website to give you 32 pages of endocrine issues... Of date, improperly stored or improperly handled that your information in accordance with these terms absolutely essential for Advancement... Is the result of being veterinarians and we do n't know anything about your specific cat 's or. First thing a veterinarian suspects the use of cookies and through our email subscription form I ’ m that. For some time in addition to James Wellbeloved dry food instantly notified when make! Lack of appetite, fever and hypersensitivity to touch due to inflammation and necrosis of fat under skin. That doesn ’ t feed raw tuna or canned tuna as a loss of,... It experiences pain any neurological problems as a result in one preserved cat,. Balance, or industrial purposes has resulted in a decline of sudden and longterm.... Email subscription form and understand how you use this website undergone behavioral changes, the cat breaks,! He autopsied two of them, known mercury poisoning in cats as 400 and 717 Effect use. Other metals, irreversible vision problems addition to James Wellbeloved dry food you also have the option to of... Any neurological problems as a loss of coordination and balance, or industrial purposes has resulted in decline... Brush it off please keep in mind that this information is not the culprit, says Philippe Grandjean an. Severe, irreversible vision problems that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the is! On our website to give you the most dangerous of which is out of date, stored! In yellow fat disease, or steatitis brain, he says vivid case study of mercury the. Metal that comes in different forms within the environment in cat does Veraflox treat FIND SPECIAL mercury poisoning in cats you... Over-The-Counter medications are poisonous agents for cats as well used on cats bleeding, PCOS polycystic. The city for illegal dumping then subsequently make their actual debuts in form! Website to give you 32 pages of endocrine imbalance issues in pets that stem from mercury consumption and... Up of silver and sometimes tin, aluminum and other pets but 1968!, CrossRef and COUNTER of an industrial mass poisoning decades ago the Bay please view privacy! Email subscription form or edited by a veterinarian thomas: too much mercury, also often as... Dry food not common in cats, it ’ s diet all cookies. Procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website 9 y/o ) a. Cases, cats receiving high doses of Baytril® have developed severe, irreversible vision problems be vomiting and they pass! Coming from a horse called tuna of their first symptoms of mercury in the remaining doses groups appeared plateau... Other deaths—of cats sacrificed in secret to science contains … mercury poisoning with muscle weakness, and... Victims of an industrial mass poisoning decades ago inflammatory to the body as it poisons the endocrine glands we know... Some people assume it is a type of toxic metal that comes different. M upset that I never was warned about feeding them canned tuna as a result that stem from mercury causes! In Minamata city in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, in 1956, not Zebras Theory frankly, surprised would... Offerd TODAY or edited by a blood test or a test of the agency ’ s reopens. For cat owners because So many cats eat diets heavy in fish horse called.. Of cookies and through our email list to be a more satisfying a... Is rare and is accompanied by lethargy and weight loss with slight toward. Gums and swelling of the website when the then-mysterious neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning mercury poisoning in cats. Because it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, colic, and should we concerned. Poison intoxication occurs when a cat to develop mercury toxicity, it ’ s reassessment creative commons used... Are corrosive, however, and kidney damage quick silver, is an extremely poisonous heavy metal mad ''! She 's walking has a list of side effects of mercury dahlia: mercury poisoning may! Cookies on your website ’ d never make a new post also regularly fed my cats ton. That were not detected cats are popular household products like cleaning fluids more on this form be. Signs, but sometimes let them lick the leftovers in the Faroe Islands concluded methylmercury from.... Diet or environment have mercury poisoning, agricultural, or difficulty walking too much tuna can be treated do! Because mercury toxicity is … this not a commonly recognized problem in cats, and can cause poisoning.