ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Reminds Veterinary Staff About Permethrin Dangers For Cats

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Monday, 20 May 2002

Vets Are Encouraged To Download Online Information

As flea season is now upon us, veterinary staff should take time to remind their clients to always follow label instructions when using flea products. For instance, flea products that are labeled "for use on dogs only" should never be used on cats. Cats react very differently than dogs to some insecticides. Some products that are safely used on dogs can be deadly to cats, even in small amounts. An example of such a species difference is permethrin sensitivity in cats. There are over 18 brands of permethrin spot-on products available that are labeled for "dogs only." These contain high concentrations (45-65%) of permethrin insecticide and are used for flea and tick control. These permethrin products have a good margin of safety when used on dogs, but even a few drops of concentrated permethrin could be lethal to a cat. Cats are most commonly exposed to these products through inappropriate application by their owners. The signs commonly seen with permethrin toxicity in cats include generalized tremors, muscle fasciculation and seizures. Signs can develop within hours or may be delayed up to 48 hours.

Most cats will recover with prompt and aggressive veterinary treatment, including tremor control with intravenous methocarbamol. The best way to avoid serious problems is to educate pet owners to always use products strictly according to their label directions. Owners should be advised to always read the label instructions completely before using ANY product on their pets.

For treatment recommendations for permethrin toxicity in the cat, please visit APCC's Toxicology Publications.

To help the veterinary community educate pet owners about the importance of reading and observing product labels, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promoting "Read the Label First."

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org