Cat in gasoline!!!?

Question

Hey, this morning someone covered my cat in diesel or petrol... earlier his meow was very gurgled (as though he had been dunked in water)...
I washed him with very mild soap and he's dried off now (still a wee bit greasy with a strong smile), but he's eating and drinking, and is still cheeky enough to try and jump on the kitchen worktops in hunt of food (lol)
His meow has returned, but one eye is very sore looking, and although it can open fully, he seems to prefer squinting....
I don't necessarily think this is an emergency, and I dont want to have to bother my vet this late (11pm), and he's walking around very well, but any advice for the eye??
Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, this is an emergency. Please, please take him to a 24/7 emergency pet hospital. If he ingested any of this, he could be dying. The sooner they can get some antidote down him, the better!!

Please take him NOW!!!!!

Answer 2

You "don't want to bother" your vet? The cat was doused in gasoline and has a sore eye and you "don't necessarily think this is an emergency" What the?

Get this poor cat to the vet and spot making excuses not to take him in. And keep him inside - once again another story showing why the outdoors is no place for our pets http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=indoorsoroutdoors

Answer 3

You really need to bathe him again with dawn dish detergent to remove all the residue. Call your vet for more advice as petroleum is toxic to cats and other living things. You might even consider calling poison control or your local emergency clinic. You've g ot to understand, this is NOT A GOOD THING.

Gasoline and other petroleum products are not among the top animal poisons, but they can cause illness if ingested or exposed to the skin. The most common petroleum products associated with illness include motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, propane and diesel. Most petroleum products are readily absorbed from the skin and stomach. These products are irritants and cause redness and inflammation to the skin and stomach lining. If inhaled, they also cause irritation to the airways. The most common illness associated with petroleum product ingestion is burning of the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. This burning sensation can cause vomiting in some animals. As the animal vomits some of the petroleum can be inhaled into the airways, resulting in aspiration pneumonia. For this reason, inducing vomiting at home is not recommended. Animals that vomit on their own should be monitored closely for breathing problems. A few animals may develop serious neurologic signs including seizures, coma and death. It is possible that some of the hydrocarbons can be absorbed from the stomach into the airways, causing serious lung damage. The amount of petroleum that needs to be ingested before signs of illness develop varies from product to product. For diesel fuel, about 18 mls (a little over 1 tablespoon) of fuel per pound of body weight needs to be ingested before the signs of diarrhea, vomiting and gastrointestinal upset are seen. For gasoline, 35 mls per pound needs to be ingested. For kerosene, 112 mls per pound needs to be ingested to reach toxic levels. After ingestion, most petroleum products are cleared from the body within 24 to 48 hours.

What to Watch For :
Drooling
Shaking head
Pawing at mouth
Coughing, gagging
Incoordination
Muscle tremors
Staggering
Difficulty breathing
Gasoline or petroleum smell
Reddened and irritated skin
Cyanosis (blue tinge to tongue and gums)

Really think you need to talk to your vet.

Answer 4

If there is any changes in behaviour eg.starts meowing constantly. Then alert the vet immediately. I suggest you do not give it anything to eat but lots of water. There is not much you can do now. Just watch its behaviour and at the first sign of trouble then take it to the vet. But otherwise wait to the morning and take it straight to the vet. Tell the vet it could be serious as it may have eaten some of the gasoline.

Answer 5

If he swallowed any, he's sick. If not, he's ok. The vet will probably provide you an antibiotic eye ointment just to be safe. I wouldn't put anything in the eye without talking to the vet - but I would watch carefully for signs of lethargy or vomiting.

Answer 6

WOW! Thats awful.. I would suggest, to go to an emergancy vet, and see what they think or ask them for cat eye drops. He could have gotten diesel or petrol in his eye! Good LUck!

Answer 7

You should get your cat to the vet. The gas or petroleum might have gotten into his eyes. It could be infected. Get to a vet and have it checked out immediatly!

Answer 8

this is an emergency. yes, you washed it off, BUT it has soaked thru the skin pores into him and possibly into his blood poisoning him. it can also get into the tear ducts in his eye, therefore the problem there. he needs to go to the vet. If your vet is closed, then do a search for an ER vet in your area, but he needs to be seen ASAP.

Answer 9

I'd call the vet, he may have accidently ingested the gasoline. And his eyes could have gotten in them as well and may cause damage to them.

Answer 10

I would call the vet first thing in the morning. I can not believe someone would do that.