|
FLEA & TICK PRODUCTS / PYRETHROID
TOXICOSIS |
| Source |
| Pyrethrins are naturally occurring neurotoxins.
Permethrins are a synthetic form of pyrethrins. These pyrethroids can be
found in some shampoos, dips, foggers, sprays, and most recently "spot-on"
products designed to eliminate fleas and/or ticks. Because cats are much
more sensitive to pyrethroids than are dogs, using pyrethroid-containing dog
flea and tick products on a cat can cause severe toxicity. |
| Symptoms
(can occur quickly, but may be delayed for up to 24 hours after
exposure) |
- Hypersalivation
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Anorexia
- Tremors- facial, facial, and/or full body tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
|
| Toxicity |
| Pyrethroids inhibit the normal function of nerves, causing
them to repetitively fire. The severity of signs depends on the individual
animal and the amount of exposure. Pyrethroids are absorbed through the skin
and GI tract.
Cats that groom other cats and dogs treated with flea and tick products
can become highly intoxicated due to oral ingestion of pyrethroids. |
| Diagnosis |
| Diagnosis is commonly based on clinical signs and a history
of recent application of a pyrethroid-containing flea or tick product to the
patient or house/playmate. |
| Treatment |
| Treatment is supportive and is aimed primarily at
controlling any tremors or seizure activity with medications. There is a
medication that works well at negating the toxic effects of . This
antidote must be given at frequent intervals until the toxin has been
metabolized and cleared from the body. If an animal has had a pyrethroid-containing
product applied to its skin or fur, carefully bathing the animal with mild
liquid dish washing detergent is necessary to remove any remaining toxin
from the skin or fur. |
| Prognosis |
| Prognosis is good if treatment is early and aggressive.
Supportive care is key. |
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