In a heart-wrenching story from New Zealand, Maddie Smith shared a crucial warning for pet owners on Facebook. Her cherished cat, Ruby, experienced severe salt poisoning after licking a Himalayan salt lamp. Maddie’s aim is to alert fellow pet owners to the potential risks these seemingly benign decorative items pose and to emphasize the importance of keeping them out of pets’ reach.
A Sudden Change in Behavior
One Wednesday morning, Maddie noticed Ruby exhibiting unusual behavior, stumbling as she walked. Initially attributing it to the cold, Maddie made Ruby comfortable before leaving for work. However, upon returning, she found Ruby’s condition had deteriorated drastically, necessitating an emergency trip to the vet.
A Dire Diagnosis
“The vets were extremely concerned for her and could see she definitely had neurological problems. She couldn’t walk properly, hear, or see, and even struggled to eat or drink because she couldn’t control her tongue,” Maddie recounted. “Her basic senses and abilities were gone in 12 hours. She was so helpless.”
Test results soon revealed a startling cause: severe salt poisoning had caused Ruby’s brain to swell. The culprit was identified as the Himalayan salt lamp in their living room, which Ruby had been licking.
The Risks of Salt Poisoning in Pets
Ruby’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous, as salt poisoning can often be fatal for animals. The taste of salt can be addictive, leading pets to repeatedly lick the lamps. Veterinary experts caution that while Himalayan salt lamps are generally safe, they become dangerous if pets ingest too much salt. For cats, the safe daily intake of salt is around 42mg. Exceeding this amount can lead to poisoning and severe health issues.
Keeping Your Pets Safe
To ensure the safety of your pets, it is crucial to keep Himalayan salt lamps out of their reach. If you choose to have these decorative items in your home, place them in areas inaccessible to your pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Maddie’s story is a sobering reminder of the hidden dangers that everyday household items can pose to our furry friends. By taking simple precautions, you can keep your beloved pets safe and healthy.
