permethrin intoxication of cats bibliography - Centre for Veterinary ...

CITATION YEAR COUNTRY
of
AUTHOR
Merola, V. and E. Dunayer (2006). "The 10 most
common toxicoses in cats." Veterinary Medicine 101:
339–342.
Meyer, E. K. (1999). "Toxicosis in cats erroneously
treated with 45 to 65% permethrin products." Journal
of the American Veterinary Medical Association
215(2): 198-203.
NOTES
2006 USA
be avoided."
NUMBER ONE. Canine permethrin insecticides The topical application of a permethrin
spot-on or dip product labeled for use only in dogs can lead to tremors and seizures in
cats. These products, which generally contain 45% or 65% permethrin in spot-ons and
3% or more permethrin in dips, are applied to cats accidentally or by individuals who
ignore the warnings on the label. In some instances, cats have developed signs of
permethrin toxicosis after being in close contact with (sleeping near or grooming) a dog
recently treated with a permethrin spot-on product. Initial signs may appear within a few
hours but can take 24 to 72 hours to manifest. Fullbody tremors are the most common
finding, although seizures may also occur.1 Other pyrethroids, including phenothrin
and etofenprox, can cause a similar syndrome in cats when used at high
concentrations. Treatment consists of bathing the cat in a liquid hand dishwashing
detergent (e.g. Dawn Dishwashing Liquid— Procter & Gamble) to remove the sebum in
which the product is distributed. If the cat is symptomatic, delay the bath until the
tremors have been controlled. The tremors are best treated with slow intravenous
boluses of methocarbamol (Robaxin-V—Fort Dodge Animal Health; total initial dose 55
to 220 mg/kg).1 Repeat the methocarbamol as needed, but do not exceed a dose of
330 mg/kg/day or respiratory depression may occur.3 If methocarbamol is not effective,
then barbiturates, propofol, or both can be used. Diazepam is generally ineffective for
the tremors but should be used if seizures are present. Additional care should include
monitoring the patient’s body temperature and administering intravenous fluids to
protect the kidneys from myoglobinuria due to muscle breakdown. Atropine is not
antidotal for permethrin; no true antidote exists. The prognosis is generally good with
aggressive supportive care.
1999 USA Article describes reports of permethrin toxicosis due to PSOs in cats received by the
USP Veterinary Practitioners Reporting Program (VPRP) and the EPA Incident Data
System. Treatment recommendations and suggestions for reducing the incidence of
this preventable toxicosis are discussed. USP VPRP Instances of misuse on cats were
not reported to the USP before August 1997. Between August 1997 and September
1998 11 reports of PSO intoxication involving 12 cats were received, with 4 cats dying.
One report of intoxication involved secondary exposure of a cat to two dogs treated 48
hours previously. EPA Incident Reports Between January 1994 and August 1998, 95
reports of PSO intoxication involving 125 cats were included in the EPA incident report
summary. 33 cats were reported to have died, 41 cats were reported to have recovered
and the final outcome of 51 cats is unknown. In addition there were 21 cases involving
24 cats believed to be the result of secondary exposure to treated dogs: 12 reports of
cats that groomed treated dog; 5 cats in same house as treated dog; 2 cats slept with
treated dog; 1 cat played with treated dog; 1 cat jumped on the back of a treated dog.
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