Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Cats

Pyrethrin and pyrethroid are insecticides typically used for treating flea and tick infestations. Pyrethrins are naturally-based and derived from the Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium plant and from pyrethrum-related plant species. Pyrethroids, meanwhile, are synthetic, making them longer-lasting; these include allethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, fluvalinate, permethrin, phenothrin, tetramethrin, and etofenprox, an ether.

An adverse reaction to any of these toxins will affect the cat's nervous system, reversibly prolonging sodium conductance in nerve axons, which result in repetitive nerve discharges. These reactions occur more frequently in cats, especially those which are young, old, sick, or debilitated. Additionally, these reactions may become worse if the cat is hypothermic.

The condition described in this medical article can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about it affects dogs, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.

Symptom and Types

Cats are especially sensitive to pyrethroids; when treated with concentrated permethrin-containing products labeled for use on dogs, they typically develop muscle tremors, incoordination, seizures, hyperthermia, and death within hours if the toxicity is not treated. Phenothrin spot-on products may result in similar but less severe clinical signs. Many of these products have been discontinued because of such common reactions. Other symptoms are based on the type of reaction the cat undergoes, such as:

• Allergic reactions -- hives, congestion, itching, extreme sensitivity, shock, respiratory distress, death (very rare)
• Idiosyncratic reactions -- resembles toxic reactions at much lower doses
• Mild reactions -- excessive (hyper) salivation, paw flicking, ear twitching, mild depression, vomiting diarrhea
• Moderate to serious reactions -- protracted vomiting and diarrhea, depression, incoordination, muscle tremors (must be differentiated from paw flicking and ear twitching)

Causes

Cats are more sensitive to these insecticides than dogs are; they have less-efficient metabolic pathways, extensive grooming habits, and long hair coats that can retain large quantities of a topically-applied product.

Cats with abnormally low body temperatures, such as after bathing, anesthesia, or sedation, are also predisposed to clinical signs of toxic poisoning.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your cat, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition.

These may include: Has your cat been exposed to these substances? How much and when? Has your cat been around other animals that have been treated with them? Also, when did the symptoms become apparent?

It can be difficult to detect these forms of insecticides in the cat's tissues or fluids. These questions are, therefore, the best way to identify a list of possible irritants.

Treatment

Adverse reactions such as salivation, paw flicking, and ear twitching are often mild and self-limiting. If your cat has been saturated with spray products, dry it with a warm towel and brush. If mild symptoms continue, bathe your cat at home with a mild hand dishwashing detergent.

If symptoms continue and progress to tremors and incoordination, your cat will require hospitalization. Cats that are seriously affected will need to be stabilized, including fluid support and maintenance of a normal body temperature. Once your pet is stable, a bath with liquid hand dishwashing detergent and warm water is critical.

Your veterinarian may also prescribe medications to lessen the severity of the symptoms, and to help detoxify the cat's body.

Living and Management

Hypersalivation may recur for several days after using a flea-control product on an animal. This is especially true for cats, because they groom their entire bodies using their mouth and paws. Most mild to severe clinical signs resolve within 24 to 72 hours.

Prevention

It is important that you do not apply dog-only products on cats. Proper application of flea-control products greatly reduces the incidence of adverse reactions; therefore, closely follow all the directions listed on the flea-control products.

The correct dose for most sprays is one to two pumps from a typical trigger sprayer per pound of body weight; cats sensitive to sprays should receive an even lower dose. Spray the Pyrethrin or Pyrethroid onto a grooming brush, and evenly brush through the hair coat. Be careful not to accidentally spray the product into the cat's mouth.

If you are using these products in liquid form, commonly called dips, never submerge your pet into the liquid. Instead, pour the liquid over the body, using a sponge to cover the dry areas.

With house and lawn products, do not apply topically (to the skin) unless it is labeled for such use. After treating the house or yard, do not allow your cat in the “treated” area until the product has dried and the environment has been ventilated.