A veterinarian from Rose Avenue Vet Hospital in New Zealand recently posted a warning for cat and dog owners with the popular Himalayan salt lamps in their homes.
A veterinarian from Rose Avenue Vet Hospital in New Zealand recently posted a warning for cat and dog owners with the popular Himalayan salt lamps in their homes.
"We initially thought this was just because she was so cold so we got her nice and toasty and left for work as usual. Wednesday afternoon Clayton arrived home from work and she had deteriorated dramatically so we rushed her to the vets."
"The vets were extremely concerned for her and could see she definitely had neurological problems," the post continued, "because she simply could not walk properly, could not hear or see, couldn't even eat or drink properly because she couldn't function her tongue the best."
After an array of blood tests, it turned out that Ruby had a severe case of salt poisoning.
"This severe salt poisoning had caused her brain to swell, and ultimately the neurological problems that followed."
"Ruby had ingested the salt by simply licking the lamp (we didn’t realize obviously). This is usually more common in dogs so this was a huge shock, and their first case they have seen with a cat."
"She is basically a miracle to still be here now," the post warns. "These salt lamps are addictive to animals, and if they get a taste it becomes just like potato chips are to us!"
Ruby is currently in recovery, and the educational post has reached upwards of 70,000 people. Hopefully, Ruby's story can prevent other animals from getting hurt.
h/t: Distractify