Fleas are annoying, problematic little parasites that may trigger itchiness, discomfort, and even the unfold of ailments of their hosts. In in the present day’s day and age, there are quite a few methods to forestall or deal with our pets stricken by these pests, similar to topical spot-ons, sprays, dips, and even oral drugs. One frequent choice is the ever-popular flea collar which can be utilized safely for canine with a flea drawback.
Nonetheless, for these cat homeowners on the market, it’s necessary to notice that a canine flea collar ought to by no means be used on a cat! Utilizing or exposing a canine flea collar and different flea merchandise made for a canine on a cat, could make cats very sick and will even be lethal.
Quite a few various kinds of energetic substances can be utilized for varied forms of flea management. On this article, we’ll largely focus on a generally used energetic ingredient known as pyrethroid, which can be utilized in varied flea merchandise, together with flea collars. Surprisingly, pyrethroid merchandise are the oldest used flea management ingredient that’s nonetheless related in the present day. You’ll be taught why utilizing a canine pyrethroid product on a cat is so problematic, what to search for in circumstances of toxicity, and tips on how to maintain your cat protected.
How and Why Are These Harmful for Cats?
The rationale canine flea collars (or different associated flea-fighting merchandise) will be so problematic in cats is multifaceted.
First, pyrethroids will be a difficulty as a result of compounds they’re made up of. Pyrethroids are an artificial model of pyrethrin, which is a naturally obtained product from the Chrysanthemum plant. Whereas each pyrethrins and pyrethroids are pesticides that trigger issues with nerve cells and the nervous system, pyrethroids are of upper efficiency and tougher to interrupt down within the atmosphere than their pyrethrin counterparts. At this time, pyrethroids are sometimes a key ingredient in flea collars and another flea-related merchandise. There are numerous forms of pyrethroids and one generally well-known used one in flea prevention is permethrin—it and different pyrethroids are extremely poisonous to cats1.
As an apart, whereas pyrethroids could be a frequent ingredient in topical flea collars and another types of flea management, you will need to be aware that there are different choices as nicely. Different lessons of pesticides utilized in mixture with pyrethroids or on their very own might embrace organophosphates, and/or carbamates, amongst others. No matter the kind of insecticide, if there’s a excessive quantity of all these chemical compounds in flea collars and different associated merchandise, they shouldn’t be used on cats, or sickness may end up.
Secondly, cats are usually not simply small canine! Not solely are our feline pals usually bodily smaller and lighter than many canine, however in addition they are a completely completely different species. Cats will be extra delicate to the quantity of chemical compounds utilized in canine flea-controlling merchandise in comparison with these that are marketed for canine. It has additionally been discovered that pyrethroid ranges which can be protected for canine are sometimes thought of unsafe for cats as they’re unable to metabolize the drug as effectively2. As a result of cats are usually not the identical as canine, they reply to sure medication or compounds otherwise, usually partially resulting from variations in liver metabolism. Cats lack sure liver enzymes wanted to permit them to clear sure compounds safely, together with pyrethroids.
Whereas placing a canine flea collar on a cat is problematic, there are additionally different methods a cat will be uncovered to pyrethroids. There are various choices for flea therapies and preventions other than simply collars; any of those merchandise can comprise pyrethroids which, when at sure concentrations, may also be dangerous to cats. As well as, experiences have famous that whereas not as frequent, there are secondary causes of publicity. These might embrace conditions similar to grooming (a cat licking a canine that has been handled with canine flea merchandise) or sleeping/laying in an space the place an animal with canine flea merchandise has been current.
Indicators of Pyrethroid Toxicity
The ASPCA Animal Poison Management Middle cites the primary explanation for cat seizures resulting from poisonings to be permethrin, a particular kind of pyrethroid3. Seizures aren’t the one consequence seen in cats, however the indicators manifested will depend upon quite a few components together with the dimensions/age of the cat, the quantity and kind of product they had been uncovered to, in addition to for lengthy. Attributable to this being dose-dependent, a small publicity could elicit minimal indicators. Some extra delicate indicators embrace extra salivation, flicking of the paw, twitching of the ear, delicate lethargy, or vomiting, and diarrhea.
Extra extreme contamination might end in muscle tremors, seizures, incoordination, excessive lethargy, pupil dilation, excessive physique temperature, issue respiration, continued vomiting and diarrhea, shock, and even loss of life. These indicators will usually present up inside a couple of hours after being uncovered however might manifest as much as 72 hours later.
How Are Cats Identified and Handled
Cats are usually identified after displaying classical medical indicators coupled with a historical past of publicity. As a result of there isn’t a antidote, the therapy for cats will depend upon their signs. For those who have comparatively delicate signs, a shower with delicate dish cleaning soap (similar to Daybreak dish detergent) and never too sizzling or too chilly water to take away the product on the pores and skin and hair can be warranted. Within the occasion of extra extreme or progressing indicators, a shower (or baths) can be higher as soon as the tremors or seizures are managed underneath veterinary care.
For a hospitalized cat, these with twitching or muscle tremors are sometimes given methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant). Typically, anticonvulsants (seizure remedy) may be warranted, and a few circumstances may require the usage of propofol and even fuel anesthesia. Usually, IV fluids with electrolytes could also be wanted. Moreover, if out there as an choice, a more moderen therapy known as intravenous lipid (giving lipids IV to assist rid the tissues of pyrethroid) emulsion could also be useful. All through restoration, a cat’s temperature will have to be monitored and managed. For instance, if the water utilized in bathing is simply too sizzling or too chilly, this will exacerbate indicators.
Prognosis
The prognosis for a cat will depend upon every state of affairs, however for these which can be caught early and given immediate therapy, the prognosis will be good. Sometimes, indicators will resolve with therapy inside 1–3 days after publicity. Severely ailing cats, or those who require care however don’t obtain it inside a sure window of time, would have a poorer prognosis and it may even be deadly.
Conclusion
So how are you going to maintain your cat protected? Nicely, prevention actually is one of the best drugs! It’s necessary to learn product labels and use them solely how they had been supposed for the species they had been made for. That features no canine flea collars (or different canine flea merchandise) on cats—only use cat flea products on cats! It’s additionally necessary to notice secondary causes of publicity as mentioned and discover methods to bypass these from turning into prospects in your house.
Involving your veterinarian in a dialog about your pet’s fleas and their prevention and treatment can be prudent; veterinarians are there to assist information you in maintaining your cat as wholesome as attainable!
Featured Picture Credit score: Gagarin Iurii, Shutterstock