Introduction
Foaming at the mouth in cats after taking Benadryl is a concerning sign that requires immediate veterinary attention. Benadryl, also known as diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine sometimes used in cats for allergies or travel anxiety. However, it can cause significant toxicity if given in too high of a dose. Foaming or excessive salivation is one of the first signs of Benadryl overdose in cats. This article will cover the causes, diagnosis, and treatment for cat foaming at the mouth after Benadryl administration.
What Causes Foaming at the Mouth?
Foaming at the mouth in cats can have several potential causes, ranging from mild to severe:
Rabies – Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can cause foaming at the mouth in cats. The virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. Early symptoms include behavior changes and foaming/drooling. Rabies attacks the central nervous system and is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
Poisoning – Ingesting toxins like certain plants, medications, or chemicals can cause foaming at the mouth in cats. Depending on the toxin, it may cause oral irritation, nausea, seizures, or neurological symptoms.
Oral disease – Dental disease, abscesses, and mouth ulcers can all lead to excessive salivation and foaming at the mouth if they are causing pain or irritation.
Seizures – Feline seizures are often accompanied by drooling and foaming at the mouth. The muscles around the mouth can contract and relax repeatedly, leading to excessive saliva production.
Nausea – Motion sickness, digestive issues, obstructions, and other conditions that cause nausea can prompt drooling and foaming as the body prepares to vomit.
Heat stroke – As cats overheat, their salivary glands may secrete excess saliva, causing temporary foaming at the mouth along with panting and other symptoms.
Determining the exact cause of foaming requires a veterinary exam and diagnostic testing. Swift evaluation is recommended, especially if rabies is suspected.
Benadryl and Cats
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter antihistamine commonly used in both humans and pets, including cats. It blocks the effects of histamine in the body and provides relief from allergy symptoms like itchy skin, rashes, and watery eyes.
Benadryl may be prescribed by veterinarians for cats experiencing mild allergic reactions, insomnia, motion sickness, and anxiety. The typical dosage is 1 mg per pound of body weight, given 1-2 times daily. Benadryl begins working within 30 minutes and the effects can last up to 8 hours.
While generally safe when used as directed, Benadryl does have the potential for toxicity in cats when overdosed. Signs of an overdose include agitation, dilated pupils, rapid heart rate, seizures, and tremors. Too much Benadryl can also cause dangerous drops in body temperature and blood pressure. It’s critical to strictly follow dosing guidelines and never give your cat more Benadryl than prescribed by your veterinarian [1].
Benadryl Toxicity
Benadryl contains an active ingredient called diphenhydramine, which can be toxic to cats if given too high of a dose. Some signs of Benadryl toxicity in cats include:
– Excessive drooling and foaming at the mouth. This is one of the most common and noticeable signs. It occurs because diphenhydramine stimulates saliva production while also causing difficulty swallowing. The combination leads to heavy drool and foam accumulating around the mouth and lips.
– Agitation, restlessness and hyperexcitability. Cats may seem abnormally restless, hyperactive and unable to settle down. They may pant, vocalize loudly and compulsively groom themselves.
– Tremors and muscle rigidity. Toxic doses can cause tremors in the face, legs and body along with stiff, rigid muscles.
– Dilated pupils. The pupils become very dilated and enlarged.
– Disorientation, lack of coordination. Benadryl toxicity leads to a loss of normal coordination and balance. Affected cats may seem dazed, stumble, have difficulty walking straight and lose awareness of their surroundings.
– Seizures. Significant toxicity can result in seizures as the central nervous system is overstimulated.
The severity of these signs depends on the amount of Benadryl ingested and the individual cat’s sensitivity. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial for treating toxicity and reversing the effects.
Diagnosis
To diagnose the cause of foaming at the mouth in cats, the vet will first perform a physical exam, looking for signs of injury, oral disease, or other causes. They may examine the mouth carefully to check for foreign objects, oral ulcers, or other abnormalities.
The vet is likely to take blood tests to check for signs of infection, kidney or liver issues, electrolyte imbalances, and other systemic problems. Blood cell counts and biochemistry panels can point to many underlying causes.
Diagnostic imaging like X-rays or ultrasound may be used to look for obstructions or other issues in the digestive tract that could cause drooling and foaming. The vet may also take radiographs of the chest to check for pneumonia or other lung problems.
If rabies is suspected, the vet may order a rabies titer test. Samples of the saliva and skin may be taken and sent to a lab for testing.
In some cases, the vet may sedate the cat and perform an oral exam, including endoscopy or rhinoscopy, to visually inspect the mouth, throat, and nasal passages if disease is suspected in those areas.
Through a combination of a thorough physical exam, diagnostic testing, and imaging, the veterinarian will seek to pinpoint the underlying cause of the foaming and drooling.
Treatment
The treatment for a cat foaming at the mouth will depend on the underlying cause. If it is due to a medication reaction, the vet will stop the medication and provide supportive care like fluids to help flush the medication from your cat’s system. The vet may induce vomiting to get any unabsorbed medication out of the stomach. If the foaming is caused by poisoning, the vet will identify the toxin if possible and give the antidote if one exists. Supportive care like activated charcoal, intravenous fluids, and anti-seizure medications may be used to stabilize your cat while the toxin is metabolized and cleared from the body.
For infections, the vet will prescribe appropriate antibiotics or antifungals. If the cause is neurological, the vet may prescribe steroids to reduce inflammation or anti-seizure medications. Dental issues like an abscessed tooth may require extraction or antibiotics. In all cases, the underlying issue must be addressed to stop the foaming and allow your cat to recover. Your vet will tailor the treatment based on your cat’s specific condition. With prompt veterinary care, many cats fully recover from foaming at the mouth.
Prevention
The key way to prevent Benadryl toxicity in cats is to avoid giving your cat any medication, including over-the-counter drugs like Benadryl, without first consulting your veterinarian. Cats can have much more severe reactions to medications than humans, so proper dosing is critical.
If your vet does recommend Benadryl for your cat, be sure to follow their dosage instructions exactly and never exceed the prescribed amount. It’s important to properly measure doses using a syringe or dropper, not a spoon. You should also keep all medications safely secured where your cat cannot access and ingest them at will.
Regular vet check-ups can help identify any allergies or conditions where an antihistamine may be beneficial so your vet can provide advice on safe antihistamine options for cats. Monitoring your cat after administering any medication will also help quickly identify any adverse reactions.
Prognosis
The prognosis for cats suffering from Benadryl toxicity is generally good if they receive prompt veterinary treatment. However, mortality can be high if the condition goes untreated. With aggressive decontamination, fluid therapy, and supportive care, many cats recover fully within 24-48 hours. Symptoms like excessive salivation, dilated pupils, hyperactivity, and agitation should resolve quickly once the drug is flushed from the cat’s system.
Cats treated within the first few hours of ingesting too much Benadryl have an excellent prognosis. However, the longer treatment is delayed, the higher the risk of severe complications like seizures, coma, and respiratory failure. Prolonged seizures and neurological impairment increase the risk of permanent brain damage or death. With intensive hospitalization, cats with more severe clinical signs have a chance of recovery but may take several days to stabilize. Overall, the sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome typically is.
When to Seek Help
It is crucial to seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your cat begins foaming at the mouth after being given Benadryl. Foaming at the mouth can be a sign of a life-threatening reaction or toxicity from the medication. According to Quora, if foaming occurs right after administering Benadryl, it likely indicates the medication is causing an adverse reaction.
Do not wait to see if the foaming subsides on its own. Drive to an emergency vet clinic right away if you notice your cat foaming following a dose of Benadryl. Even if there are no other concerning symptoms, foaming at the mouth alone warrants an urgent vet visit to determine the cause and provide any needed treatment (1).
Some key reasons you should seek emergency care without delay include (2):
- Excessive drooling or foaming could indicate poisoning or overdose.
- Your cat may have inhaled some of the oral medication into its lungs, causing pulmonary edema.
- The foaming may be a sign of anaphylaxis or other severe allergic reaction.
- There could be throat swelling obstructing breathing.
- Aspiration of the medication into the lungs can lead to pneumonia.
Do not take risks with your cat foaming at the mouth. Get to emergency veterinary care right away for evaluation and treatment. Prompt action can help prevent lasting harm or even death in severe cases of toxicity or anaphylaxis.
Conclusion
In summary, foaming at the mouth in cats after taking Benadryl can be a sign of toxicity and overdose. Cats lack the liver enzymes to properly metabolize Benadryl, making it dangerous when not given at the right dosage. Signs like agitation, dilated pupils, racing heartbeat, and seizures along with foaming indicate poisoning. Prompt veterinary care is crucial, as Benadryl toxicity can be fatal if left untreated. To prevent this, always consult your vet before giving any medication to your cat. Carefully follow dosage directions and monitor for side effects. With early intervention, most cats recover fully. Going forward, avoid using OTC antihistamines in cats and keep all medications safely out of their reach.