Instructions
Intervention of Feline Toxemia
Consider your cat's condition a medical emergency and get the animal to your veterinarian without delay. Your cat will very likely be kept for observation for several days while undergoing antibiotic therapy in an attempt to get the infection under control. It also may be necessary to introduce nutrients, electrolytes and fluids intravenously to prevent or treat malnutrition and dehydration. You also can expect your cat to undergo extensive testing in an effort to track down the specific cause of the infection.
Ask your veterinarian to instruct you on how to administer injections or a feeding tube to your cat, if applicable. This might become necessary for ongoing treatment if it turns out that the toxemia stems from a gum infection, which makes it difficult for your cat to eat normally.
Discuss surgical options with your veterinarian if the root cause of the toxemia is determined to be peritonitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity. This may be caused by a variety of things, including perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, or internal injury sustained from ingesting a chemical or a foreign object. Note that this is a very serious condition that is frequently fatal. If your cat can be satisfactorily stabilized with antibiotic therapy within the first few days of the onset of systemic infection, however, then there is a chance that he or she may recover if the rupture or perforation is surgically repaired.
Be aware that little can be done if the source of your cat's toxemia is feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). This progressive viral infection attacks the immune and central nervous systems and is usually fatal. A very small percentage of cats do survive the initial infection and enter a state of remission. While there is no certain cure or specific treatment for this disease, aggressive therapy with combinations of cytotoxic agents, such as prednisone and cyclophosphamide, may increase the chance of survival in some cats.
How to Treat Feline Toxemia
Feline toxemia is a general term used to describe a systemic infection that has spread throughout a cat's entire body. Often, the infection starts out locally at the site of a wound or other trauma. Typical symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Far more serious complications can develop, however, if the condition is not treated immediately, including renal failure, respiratory arrest or heart attack. Successful treatment of feline toxemia relies on identifying and treating the underlying cause.