←
Sweet Birch
Betula lenta
Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) and Birch trees in general are notable for containing methyl salicylate — an analgesic compound related to aspirin — in high concentrations in the bark, leaves, and especially birch essential oil. Cats are extremely sensitive to salicylates because they lack efficient glucuronyl transferase to metabolise them, making birch oil a significant toxicity risk.
重要提醒
Toxic compounds: methyl salicylate (up to 98% in Sweet Birch essential oil); present in bark and leaves at lower concentrations
Mechanism: cats cannot efficiently metabolise salicylates via glucuronidation, causing toxic accumulation; inhibits prostaglandin synthesis affecting the GI tract and kidneys
Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, weakness, tremors; severe cases cause GI haemorrhage, metabolic acidosis, and kidney failure
Birch essential oil is extremely concentrated and highly dangerous — never apply to or diffuse near cats
Contact your vet immediately if your cat is exposed to birch oil or essential oil products
可能有毒部位
Root
Bark
Leaf
貓咪可能出現的症狀
Shaking, tremoring, "walking as if they're drunk" (ataxia), collapse, and seizures
Neurological · Not explicitly specified.
Liver failure (and serious organ damage)
Hepatic · Not explicitly specified.
Sore skin, redness, or chemical burns
Dermal · Not explicitly specified in the sources.
Vomiting
Gastrointestinal · Not explicitly specified.
Difficulty breathing or open-mouth breathing
Respiratory · Not explicitly specified.
Lethargy, depression, or dullness
Gastrointestinal · Not explicitly specified.
Excessive dribbling
Gastrointestinal · Not explicitly specified.
免責聲明：此摘要彙整自多個來源，僅供資訊參考，不構成診斷或治療計畫。毒性會因物質、攝入量、植物部位與個別貓咪狀況而異。若你懷疑貓咪接觸到有毒物質，請立即聯絡獸醫。