title: Feline permethrin toxicity: retrospective study of 42 cases.
abstract: Forty-two cases of feline permethrin toxicity treated at a referral hospital in Sydney, Australia were retrospectively reviewed. In most cases canine permethrin spot-on (PSO) flea products had been directly applied to affected cats. Most presented during summer and there was an increase in cases during the 2007/2008 period. Clinical signs included; tremors/muscle fasciculations (86%), twitches (41%), hyperaesthesia (41%), seizures (33%), pyrexia (29%), ptyalism (24%), ataxia (24%), mydriasis (19%) and temporary blindness (12%). Treatment involved decontamination, anticonvulsants and supportive care. Methocarbamol was not used. Complications occurred in 33% of cats and included: hypothermia (29%), electrolyte abnormalities (26%), aspiration pneumonia (12%), hypoproteinaemia (12%), anaemia (5%), apnoea (7%), respiratory arrest (5%), cardiorespiratory arrest (2%), pleural effusion (2%), urinary tract infection (2%) and corneal ulceration (2%). One cat was euthanased. Feline permethrin toxicity may result in severe clinical signs requiring intensive treatment. Despite prominent label warnings, cases of feline permethrin toxicity continue to occur in Australia and may be fatal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Division of Companion Animals, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lara A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Angles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D007306:Insecticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D026023:Permethrin / Q000506:poisoning*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007306:Insecticides; D026023:Permethrin