The gastrointestinal tract will need to be decontaminated if ingestion occurred just prior to treatment.TreatmentĮxpect your veterinarian to recommend hospitalization with continuous intravenous fluids.

X-rays may be required to determine if additional iron is within the intestinal tract. Diagnosisĭiagnosing iron toxicity is based on the level of iron in the blood as well as access or exposure to iron supplements.īlood tests may also be needed to determine the function of the liver and kidneys. Unfortunately, spontaneous recovery has not occurred and about 24 hours later, diarrhea returns along with liver failure, shock and possible coma. Even without treatment, your cat may appear to have improved after the initial gastrointestinal upset. The first signs generally occur within six hours of eating a toxic amount of iron. If low doses of iron are given over a period of time, toxicity can still develop since their body cannot get rid of the iron already present. It can also cause severe liver damage and heart damage.Ĭats are more easily affected by iron overdoses than people because cats do not have a way to excrete excessive iron from their bodies. Toxic levels of iron cause damage to the stomach and intestinal lining.

The forms of iron that may result in toxicity are: Iron comes in a variety of forms and is indicated by the word Ferrous, meaning 'containing iron.' These formulations of iron are generally found in oral iron supplements. Iron toxicity typically occurs after accidental ingestion of the supplements or from overdoses of supplements. It is found in a variety of supplements and vitamins. Iron is a chemical element that is normally important to red blood cell production in the body.

Iron toxicity antidote