Permethrin Commonly Used To Treat Mites and Lice in Chickens is Deadly to Cats
If you have barn cats, chicken coop cats or cats that go inside your hen house or run you need to make sure that they are not any where around when you are treating birds, coop, roosts, or runs with Permethrin often used to get rid of mites and lice on chickens and poultry houses. Cats and kittens should be caged or housed someplace where they will not be exposed until it has completely dry as Permethrin is highly toxic to cats. Even a small amount of Permethrin exposure can cause kittens or cats to have twitching, tremors, muscle contractions and convulsions for up to five days and can cause death. If your cat or kitten has been exposed you need to give them activated charcoal gel for accidental poisoning, keep them hydrated with plenty of fluids, hydration is key to recovery, and get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Permethrin can be found in flea sprays and dips used for dogs too so if you are treating your dogs, you will need to keep your cats in a safe area until it is completely dried.
Research studies or permethrin and cats indicated that 87.8 percent of cats developed some form of twitching, tremor, muscle fasciculation or convulsions and that most recovered with supportive care, however many developed life threatening effects with convulsions being the most frequently reported in 43.7 percent of permethrin poisoning cases with symptoms lasting up to five days in a small number of cases. Recommended management of permethrin toxicity is control of seizures, hydration, and supportive treatment. You may have to administer water, milk and even food in a syringe or eye dropper if the cat will not or cannot eat or drink on it's own. There is no specific antidote to permethrin. Make sure to use a collar to prevent cats from grooming themselves if they have been exposed. Give the cat a bath if possible or wipe off the fur with a wet cloth and Dawn original dish soap as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Permethrin Poision:
Permethrin can be found in flea sprays and dips used for dogs too so if you are treating your dogs, you will need to keep your cats in a safe area until it is completely dried.
Research studies or permethrin and cats indicated that 87.8 percent of cats developed some form of twitching, tremor, muscle fasciculation or convulsions and that most recovered with supportive care, however many developed life threatening effects with convulsions being the most frequently reported in 43.7 percent of permethrin poisoning cases with symptoms lasting up to five days in a small number of cases. Recommended management of permethrin toxicity is control of seizures, hydration, and supportive treatment. You may have to administer water, milk and even food in a syringe or eye dropper if the cat will not or cannot eat or drink on it's own. There is no specific antidote to permethrin. Make sure to use a collar to prevent cats from grooming themselves if they have been exposed. Give the cat a bath if possible or wipe off the fur with a wet cloth and Dawn original dish soap as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Permethrin Poision:
- Read the instructions on any mite or lice treatments before using.
- Make sure cats and other small animals such as birds, mice, gerbils or guinea pigs are not in or anywhere near the area where pets or poultry are being treated before you start.
- Keep treated dogs or chickens away from other animals for at least 72 hours after treatment.
- Read the study about permethrin poisoning and cats here: http://www.isfm.net/toolbox/info_sheets/permethrin.pdf
Reference:
Nicholas M Sutton BSc*, Nicola Bates MSc, Alexander Campbell BSc.Clinical effects and outcome of feline permethrin spot-on poisonings reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), London. http://www.isfm.net/toolbox/info_sheets/permethrin.pdf
Nicholas M Sutton BSc*, Nicola Bates MSc, Alexander Campbell BSc.Clinical effects and outcome of feline permethrin spot-on poisonings reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), London. http://www.isfm.net/toolbox/info_sheets/permethrin.pdf