Signs start within 4- 10 hours after ingestion, and they are aimless wandering, confusion, disorientation, unusual vocalization,, vomiting, urination, and repeated bowel movement, progressing to frothing at the mouth, labored breathing, and convulsions. Death from respiratory failure ensues within 2 to 12 hours after onset of signs. Strychnine can be used as a rodenticide or insecticide, but it is most commonly used maliciously. First signs are apprehension, irritability, tenseness, and stiffness. This progresses to violent convulsions stimulated by loud noises or by touching the cat.
Death usually occurs from exhaustion or anoxia during a tetatanic seizure.
The entire syndrome, if untreated last less than 2 hours. The cat is only marginally savable if it has not reached the convulsion stage. If not convulsing, induce vomiting immediately, then transport to your vet for further treatment. There are many insecticides, and I will discuss the most common ones. Amitraz poisoning occurs from ingestion of a tick collar.