Cat Seizure From Flea Treatment

Cat owners who use flea control products labeled for dogs on their pet cats, either by mistake or to save money, risk killing the cat and/or running up large veterinary bills. Over-the-counter flea and tick products include a chemical called permethrin, which is perfectly benign when applied to dogs, but if used on the family cat will cause seizures and possible death.

  1. Risks

    • Dr. Julia Adams, Petalia resident vet, says some flea and tick products formulated for dogs contain permethrin, which can be fatal to cats. Many spot-on flea products purchased at the supermarket and pet store use this chemical, a synthetic insecticide derived from dried chrysanthemums, as their main ingredient. Safe to use as an insecticide on dogs and humans, cats are particularly susceptible to its serious side effects.

    Symptoms

    • According to Dr. Tina Wismer of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, how cats react to permethrin varies, with some cats showing no clinical signs and others presenting with symptoms after only one drop is used. She says that the onset of symptoms begins usually within a few hours of exposure to the chemical and a cat typically shows muscle tremors and starts seizing. Others hypersalivate (drool), vomit and refuse to eat, vocalize, suffer difficulty breathing, show signs of disorientation can become comatose and die.

    Causes

    • Dr. Wismer says permethrin poisoning causes the cat's nervous system to malfunction by interfering with the nerve's sodium channels, resulting in constant nerve discharges and the seizing and muscle tremors. Cats experience a higher rate of toxicity because their livers don't process and eliminate the chemical, as would a dog's organs.

    Considerations

    • Because getting rid of fleas often necessitates using chemicals on pet cats, the U.S. Cat Fancier's Association sets down recommendations for cat owners on how and when to apply certain chemicals. They suggest never using insecticides on kittens, pregnant cats and old, ill cats without first consulting your veterinarian and reading all instructions and guidelines carefully. They also say to be careful using organophosphate insecticides and flea foggers in and around your home because cats are particularly susceptible to these products.

    Treatment

    • If you suspect permethrin poisoning in your cat, the vets at Pet Place say to bathe him immediately using mild dish soap in lukewarm water to remove the chemical oils from his skin. They urge continued veterinary treatment that will probably include hospitalization with the application of intravenous fluids to flush the cat's kidneys and liver of the chemical. Veterinarians typically administer methocarbamol to stop muscle tremors and diazepam (Valium) to control seizures.

    Warning

    • Your cat needs immediate veterinary care if exposed to permethrin; continued seizures can cause extensive brain damage and eventual death. If treated early, most pets recover within one to two days, although muscle tremors can remain for 72 to 96 hours.