The cat received permethrin, in a spot on dog flea control product, from its owner. The signs of permethrin toxicity are very unpleasant. Make sure you buy flea treatment solely designed for cats – it can be easy to pick up the wrong pack when dog and cat... Be very careful if shopping online. Allergies have also been reported in people in contact with d -limonene, and it appears to increase dermal absorption of some chemicals. Never use products labelled 'Do NOT use on cats' or 'for use in dog’s only' on your cat, and don’t use them on dogs if you have cats in your home. Jasper,  a 5-year-old male cat, lives with his owner in Australia. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. Jasper’s owners contacted their local veterinary hospital – they had no idea what had caused the problems. Permethrin is most commonly found in dog-only flea control spot-ons, as well as flea collars, shampoos and sprays. No antidote is available. • Intelligent Cat Care Blog Permethrin is generally used as an insecticide and is found in some flea spot-on products made for dogs, however, for cats, exposure to concentrated permethrin can result in serious illness and death. The cat liver lacks certain proteins (enzymes) that break down some chemicals into harmless forms, meaning that the chemical can accumulate in the cat’s body and cause serious illness. Pyrethrins and Permethrin. Flea season is hard enough to handle when treating flea allergy dermatitis, helping an owner get control over a household flea infestation, or treating kittens with flea bite anemia. Permethrins are the man-made version of pyrethrins. If you have any concerns about any medication, always contact your vet for advice. It’s safe to use on dogs but is extremely … Get the latest on five back-to-school pet toxins and keep dogs and cats safe while children are learning from home. Whether or not a pyrethrin or pyrethroid product is toxic depends on the animal species involved, as well as the concentration, synergists and carriers used in the product. Permethrin; Phenothrin; Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are rapidly absorbed when ingested by mouth. Add to the mix cats who are exposed to permethrin-containing dog products, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. ... because permethrin (a pyrethroid) is highly toxic to cats and is found in many insecticide and pest control products (e.g. ... Factors the influence toxicity in cats are chiefly the concentration of a product, and the type & number of synergists and carriers in the product. Please consider making a contribution, big or small, to keep our content free, accurate and relevant. When orally administered to dogs, d -limonene causes vomiting (median effective dose 1.6 mL/kg). The most common symptoms include: What to Watch For; Drooling; Lethargy; Muscle tremors; Vomiting; Seizures Diagnosis of Permethrin and Pyrethrin Toxicity in Cats It’s safe to use on dogs but is extremely poisonous for cats. 1. Unlike dogs, cats lack the enzyme needed to detox products containing permethrin or pyrethrum. Some cats had been inadvertently treated with a dog preparation while others had been in contact with dogs that had been treated. The nurse advised the owners to bring the flea product packaging into the hospital for confirmation. If you think your cat has ingested permethrin or if it has touched their skin, you will need to seek veterinary attention immediately. His owner did not mean to harm Jasper at all and in the future will only use flea products that do not contain permethrin, bought from her vet. Author(s) : Bessant, C.; Sparkes, A. The cat will then become sensitive to the sound, losing its ability to balance. A retrospective analysis of all adverse experience reports received by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's Adverse Experience Reporting Program for veterinary medicines since 1995, showed that permethrin toxicity in cats usually occurred after the owner applied a canine permethrin‐containing product, typically a spot‐on. Cats often have to remain in the veterinary clinic for several days. Pyrethrin/pyrethroid toxicity in cats is most commonly the result of someone who, in an effort to save time or money, used a pyrethrin/pyrethroid-containing product intended for dogs on their cat(s). When Jasper arrived he had severe tremors/shaking, was drooling, and was sensitive to sound and touch. This is further complicated by the fact that canine marketed permethrin products typically contain 45-60% permethrin while safe feline marketed products contain less than 0.1%. If you are worried that your cat may have permethrin poisoning, contact your vet immediately. Click Yes to help us continue to make these improvements. This paper reviews permethrin toxicosis and its treatment in cats, incorporating information from the Australian and selected overseas veterinary … The chemical affects the cat’s nervous system causing tremors/shaking, twitching, oversensitivity to touch and sound, walking as though drunk and, in severe cases, seizures or fits. Toxicity occurs as a result of an insufficient glucuronide conjugation of the permethrin by the feline liver, resulting in high levels of the permethrin. Pyrethrins are a natural substance extracted from chrysanthemums. All our advice is freely accessible to everyone, wherever you are in the world. While baked bread likely won’t cause a life-threatening problem in pets, raw dough can be fatal. If you use them in the right strength and amount, they are generally safe for your cat. Visit us on Facebook for daily APCC news and conversation. While the dangers of pets ingesting chocolate are well known to pet owners, the risks of other snacks—like grapes and raisins—may not be. Drooling and tremors are among the first signs you … Pyrethrins are naturally occurring insecticides extracted from the flowers of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium. At this stage, he still had facial and limb twitches. Twenty-four hours later he was greatly improved with fewer mild limb twitches, and he was offered food. However, as a charity, we need your support to enable us to keep delivering high quality and up to date information for everyone. Careful handling was required to be able to place a tube (catheter) into Jasper’s vein and he was given immediate treatment to stop his tremors. Results The diagnosis of permethrin toxicity was made on the basis of a history of exposure and characteristic clinical signs, including seizures, muscle fasciculations, and tremors. Call our 24-hour veterinary diagnostic and Read the APCC's list. The reason cats are sensitive to these compounds is that they are unable to break down these toxins as they lack the liver enzyme to do so. Common symptoms of permethrin poisoning include drooling, acting strangely, twitching and fitting. Author Affiliation : FAB/ESFM, Taeselbury, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6LD, UK. While permethrin and pyrethrin are safe for many animals, including dogs, it is highly poisonous to cats. Martin A, Campbell A. Your cat can become poisoned by licking the dog or even by sleeping next to your dog. Overview. Further treatment depends on how badly affected the cat is, but medication often needs to be given to stop the tremors or fits. That means there are many situations that could put your dog and other animals at risk of illness or death. Unless cases of poisoning are reported through these official channels, the scale of the problem cannot be determined. Given the effects on sodium and chloride channels, clinical … treatment hotline: Five Tips for Treating Cat Permethrin Toxicosis, © 2020 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They perhaps assume that the dog product is simply a higher volume of the chemical and that if they apply a small amount to the cat, that will be fine. Permethrin is a pyrethroid, a synthetic pyrethrin. Why can permethrin be used in products for dogs but not for cats? For households with dogs and cats, use spot-on products that do not contain permethrin to avoid accidental exposure, or keep your pets apart until the dog’s treatment has dried. The following day Jasper was discharged from hospital. Whenever permethrin poisoning is known or suspected, it is important to notify both the manufacturer of the product and the local drug regulatory authorities (your vet can help you with this). nary medicines since 1995, showed that permethrin toxicity in cats usually occurred after the owner applied a canine permethrin-containing product, typically a spot-on. Permethrin is used in some flea spot-on products made for dogs, and occasionally (in lower doses) in flea powders and collars for cats. Even worse is the fact that loving owners can accidentally poison their cats by using dog flea spot-on products containing permethrin because they do not recognise the dangers. Five Tips for Treating Cat Permethrin Toxicosis Flea season is hard enough to handle when treating flea allergy dermatitis, helping an owner get control over a household flea infestation, or treating kittens with flea bite anemia. The other way cats are exposed to permethrin is by coming into contact with a dog which has recently been treated with a spot-on containing permethrin. As a caring owner concerned about flea control in her animals, Jasper’s well-meaning owner split a permethrin-containing flea spot-on product, manufactured for use on large dogs, between Jasper, their small dog and their pet rabbit. The signs of neurotoxicity can be seen, as tremors and salivation. Fish are so sensitive that they may die from even the smallest exposure, so be sure to cover aquarium tanks (with something non-porous like plastic wrap) or remove the tanks from an area you’ll be treating with a product containing a pyrethrin or pyrethroid (e.g., foggers, sprays, etc. Treating Pyrethrin Poisoning Rinse your cat with warm water. Permethrin toxicity in cats. More severely affected cats, especially those suffering from fits that are hard to control, have a poorer prognosis and sadly may die or are put to sleep. Most brands of permethrin "spot-on" products are labeled for"use in dogs only." Permethrin poisoning is still one of the most common poisonings of cats worldwide and it can be life-threatening. It’s also usually saved for topical treatments. Here are five important issues to remember when dealing with kitty permethrin cases: What were the 10 most frequently called-about issues to the APCC in 2013? The vet will initially try and prevent the cats from absorbing more permethrin through its skin by washing the cat with dilute washing up liquid. The main signs were convulsions, tremor, hypersalivation, mydriasis, and ataxia. Permethrin is more toxic to insects than it is to people and dogs. Jasper required intensive nursing care and monitoring. ). Make sure you buy flea treatment solely designed for cats – it can be easy to pick up the wrong pack when dog and cat treatments are displayed side by side in shops, Be very careful if shopping online. What is permethrin? However, they later became worse and he developed a very high temperature. A relatively new treatment (called lipid infusion) is available which helps to ‘mop up’ the permethrin from the cat’s system and may offer a better chance of survival for severely affected cats. Cats are more sensitive to permethrin than dogs or people because it takes their bodies a long time to break it down. The dog… Add to the mix cats who are exposed to permethrin-containing dog products, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Permethrin toxicity in cats. Over the next day, the dose of sedation was slowly reduced until he regained consciousness. 2000 Nov 4;147(19):556. It is known to be highly toxic to cats, fish and aquatic species with long-lasting effects. Even tiny doses can quickly result in permethrin toxicity, causing serious illness or death. Permethrin poisoning can be fatal to cats. Permethrin is a synthetic insecticide known as a pyrethroid. This prevents mutual grooming or even the pets sleeping next to each other, which could result in poisoning if your cat became exposed. The nurse alerted the veterinarian on duty and commenced preparing equipment ready for Jasper’s arrival. Permethrin is a chemical used to treat fleas. Left untreated, permethrin poisoning is usually fatal. If you think you may have applied a flea product containing permethrin you need to contact your vet IMMEDIATELY. He was also treated with oxygen, his temperature was monitored and regulated, lubricants were put in his eyes to prevent them drying, and he was turned every two hours to keep him comfortable and prevent lung collapse. Researchers fed dogs and mice permethrin for up to 2 years and found that their livers increased in weight. If your cat does not exhibit any of the following symptoms after using flea killers, then congratulate you and try to use the same amount of medication on subsequent treatments. The inclusion of piperonyl butoxide in the formulation potentiates the toxicity in cats. Many product descriptions do not include the active ingredients and any warnings may not be noticed in the small picture, Always read the instructions carefully and take note of any warnings, If you have dogs and cats in your home, choose a treatment for the dog which does not contain permethrin. The veterinary nurse on duty was able to advise them that immediate veterinary attention was required and brief questioning determined that this was a possible case of permethrin toxicity. Learn what to do if you’re presented with an animal who has ingested these common people foods. In very severe cases the cat has to be given an anaesthetic to stop the fits and a tube put into its throat to help it breathe. PMID: Learn about the three-year training program, approved by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), for licensed veterinarians interested in developing deep expertise in the practice of shelter medicine. Methocarbamol (50-150mg/kg IV bolus, titrate up as needed, but do not exceed 330mg/kg/d) works best to control the tremors. Thankfully the majority of cats, if treated promptly by their vet, will make a full recovery. Read the list and download a poster, What toxins caused the most reported deaths of pets in 2013? Inappropriate use ofsuch products in cats may lead to toxic signs and even death. In the body, these chemicals slow the closure of sodium and chloride channels, resulting in hyperexcitability. Unfortunately, this is not the case and cats can become very unwell even after tiny doses of permethrin. We use cookies to improve our website to make sure you have a better browsing experience. Less co… The manifestations of permethrin poisoning are clear. Methods Retrospective study of 20 cases of permethrin toxicity in cats treated at an emergency clinic in Brisbane, Queensland from October 2004 to June 2005. The most common way cats are poisoned is when owners use a dog flea product on their cat in error. Cats, however, are exquisitely susceptible to the toxic effects of permethrins. The regions of his fur where the dog spot-on had been applied were clipped and he was washed with a mild dishwashing detergent. These permethrin compounds may be obtainedover-the-counter in grocery stores or pet stores. The use of pyrethrins/pyrethroids is very safe in dogs; however, cats and fish are very sensitive to pyrethrins/pyrethroids. Symptoms include severe muscle tremors and seizures. The most common clinical signs of permethrin toxicity in cats are muscle tremors and seizures. Hypersalivation, depression, vomiting, anorexia and even death may also be seen. Permethrins are also toxic to fish. Unfortunately, pyrethrins and pyrethroids (especially permethrin) are not species-specific in their toxicity, meaning they can also cause severe and significant problems in pets, especially cats (who lack the liver enzymes necessary to process these compounds as they are absorbed through the skin). These do not contain a toxic level of permethrin for cats. Unfortunately, exposure to concentrated permethrin (as in some dog spot-ons) can result in serious illness and even death in cats. This is because insects can't break it down as quickly as people and dogs. Cats are also at risk from grooming or being in direct contact with recently treated dogs. This is r… Application of permethrin-based insecticide to a cat will usually result in toxic signs within 6 hours. There were greasy patches of fur where the flea product had been applied. Both pyrethrins and permethrin are toxic to cats. Permethrin poisoning is one of the most common causes of poisoning of cats worldwide and it can be life threatening in many cases. Permethrin is only found in dog-specific flea treatments because it’s highly toxic to cats and fish. This difference in drug metabolism is why we must never assume that a drug or product which is safe for dogs will be safe to use for cats. Instead, the chemical builds up in their bodies causing serious illness. Permethrin affects the nervous system in insects, causing muscle spasms, paralysis and death. Six hours later Jasper was found unable to stand, drooling and was shaking severely. Permethrin poisoning is a very distressing condition and completely preventable. The majority of cats with permethrin toxicity are exposed to canine concentrated PSO products. If your cat is suffering from pyrethrin … Permethrin toxicity in cats Overview Permethrin is a chemical used to treat fleas. Vet Rec. The same applies if you think your cat has been in contact with a treated dog. The permethrin will stay on the dog’s skin and coat for some time and when a cat grooms or even rubs against the dog, or simply sits on the same furniture, it can be poisoned. 2000 Nov 25;147(22):639. fly spray, garden insect sprays, cockroach spray, ant powder, mosquito … Permethrin can affect insects if they eat it or touch it. The effect of Permethrin almost comes soon after the dose is over. Initially, Jasper’s tremors reduced in severity. It can take up to 24 hours after exposure for your cat to show signs of poisoning, though symptoms can start right away. Retrospective study of 20 cases of permethrin toxicity in cats treated at an emergency clinic in Brisbane, Queensland from October 2004 to June 2005. Some popular fall plants like mums can be toxic to pets—find out which of these ten autumn beauties might be dangerous to dogs, cats, or horses. How can we prevent cats suffering from permethrin poisoning? Why Are Cats at Risk? The characteristic of this chemical is its direct effect on the nervous system of cats, so it may cause tremor or stronger seizures. Tick and flea treatments for dogs are highly concentrated and should NEVER be used on cats. Read about the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Meritorious Service Award, and join us in celebrating the ASPCA’s Dr. Stephanie Janeczko for being selected as the 2020 award recipient. We often use the phrase ‘cats are not small dogs’ and this is certainly true when it comes to the way cats break down certain chemicals and drugs in their bodies. Less commonly, cats may have trouble breathing and may even become blind. If dogs are treated with flea products containing permethrin then they should be kept away from cats for 72 hours. Comment on Vet Rec. He was heavily sedated and required a tube to help him to breathe (see photograph). Permethrin poisoning in cats can be prevented by always reading and following label instructions before using a flea or tick product on your pet. Support International Cat Care from as little £3, Sign up to our monthly newsletter and free e-magazine Intelligent Cat Care, Reg Charity 1117342 (England and Wales) Place Farm, Chilmark Road, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LW. That’s because oral use can lead to liver failure and neurological damage. Learn why dough is dangerous and what to do if a dog or cat ingests it. The use of pyrethrins/pyrethroids is very safe in dogs; however, cats and fish are very sensitive to pyrethrins/pyrethroids. 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