Wahoo is harmful to cats. Toxic substances such as cardenolides, alkaloids, and glycosides (including evomonoside, evobioside, and evobioside) can be found in all portions of this plant, causing severe digestive problems and organ damage in cats. If no treatment is given, death may occur within eight hours after the onset of symptoms.
What is Wahoo?
Wahoo is a North American plant named after a Native American language. its scientific name is Euonymus occidentali, this plant belongs to the Celastraceae family. Wahoo plants can grow up to 25 feet tall. While the wahoo grows wild, it is commonly utilized in landscape designs as a single standing shrub or as a hedge. The smooth gray bark of this plant blooms into purple flowers and eventually turns into fruit. Its berries which range from red to ivory show up in the fall and contain reddish colored seeds. The deep red hue that the leaves turn as fall progresses is the most beautiful element of the plant. It thrives in direct sunlight to partial shade, as well as in moist to dry soils. Wahoo was planted around American Indian camps for its “warrior spirit,” which was thought to keep enemies out.
Clinical Signs of Wahoo Poisoning in Cats
Ingesting a huge amount of leaves usually causes severe reactions. The berries may induce more severe symptoms than other components of the plant if eaten. The following are some warning signs to look out for:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (may contain blood)
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Hyperthermia (increased temperature)
- Hallucinations
- Weakness
- Cardiac abnormalities including bradycardia or tachycardia
- Arrhythmias of the heart
- Cardiac arrest
- Coma
First Aid and Treatment of Wahoo Poisoning in Cats
Wahoo poisoning does not have a defined treatment plan. If problems are discovered, hospitalization and continuous heart monitoring will almost certainly be required.
Fluids and electrolytes should be given intravenously to counteract the plant’s purgative qualities, which can quickly lead to dehydration.
To prevent the plant from being digested further, the vet may decide to induce vomiting in the cat. This may irritate the cat even more, but it may be necessary to save the animal’s life.
Activated charcoal will most likely be given by the veterinarian to help absorb and trap any lingering toxins in the digestive tract, allowing them to pass through the cat safely.
Recovery from Wahoo Poisoning in Cats
The majority of cats who are treated quickly after ingesting the wahoo plant will be able to recover. Any organ damage sustained as a result of the incident is likely to be irreversible.
Prevention of Wahoo Poisoning in Cats
Keeping your cat home all year is an efficient approach to keep it safe from harmful plants like wahoo. Some people prefer not to grow the plant in their gardens as a precaution against pets or small children eating it.
If you love plants but have cats at home, check out these lists:
