Rosary Pea

Symptoms reported in cats

Most serious first.

1. 1
   Gastrointestinal signs with dehydration and electrolyte imbalances Abrin is a plant lectin (toxalbumin) that works by inhibiting cellular protein synthesis1. When absorbed, the resulting gastrointestinal distress can cause severe dehydration and dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

Important notes

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) is a highly dangerous plant for cats. Its seeds contain abrin, a powerful toxin that stops cells from making the proteins they need to survive. This leads to cell death and gradual failure of the body's organs. The danger mostly comes from chewed or broken seeds. If a cat swallows a whole seed with its hard shell intact, it might pass through the digestive system without causing harm. However, if the seed coat is cracked, even a tiny amount of abrin can be life-threatening. If the toxin is released, a cat may experience vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and stomach pain within a few hours. In severe cases, it can cause seizures and organ failure. If you suspect your cat has chewed a Rosary Pea seed, treat it as an absolute emergency and contact a veterinarian immediately—do not wait for symptoms to appear.

• Toxic compounds: abrin (ribosome-inactivating protein) in seeds; leaves contain abrine alkaloid
• Mechanism: abrin halts protein synthesis in cells by inactivating ribosomes; affected cells die; organs fail progressively
• Symptoms (delayed 2–6h): vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, abdominal pain; severe cases cause multi-organ failure, seizures, and death
• Intact swallowed seeds may pass without harm; cracked or chewed seeds are a medical emergency
• Any suspected abrin exposure is a veterinary emergency — do not wait for symptoms