Cats 'killed By Flea Treatment'

[Tokis-Phoenix]

"Hundreds of cats may have died because their owners mistakenly treated them with anti-flea products intended for dogs, a study suggests.

The Veterinary Poisons Information Service found that one in 10 cats referred to it had died after being exposed to permethrin.

The chemical is used in flea treatments for dogs but is very toxic to cats, said Alex Campbell of VPIS.

VPIS wants clearer warnings to be displayed on canine treatments.

Mr Campbell said the substance was present in many products, but in very low concentrations.

If accidentally applied to cats they can show "severe clinical signs" and need two or three days of intensive veterinary treatment if they are to survive."

Full story;


http/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7088397.stm?lsm




So even if you just use the treatment on your dog and not your cat this is still not good;

""However, it is occasionally used in spot-on flea treatments for dogs and if you accidentally apply these to cats, or you've treated your dog and your cat comes into contact with the dog, and actually manages to groom some of it off or whatever, then potentially the cat can get severe clinical signs."



I think its a warning every dog and cat owner should be aware of, at least until i read this article i had no idea how toxic some dog anti-flea treatments were to cats.

 

[Synirr]

I saw something about this on Animal Planet once; a well-meaning lady had picked up a stray cat and given it flea treatment, but accidentally gave it the kind meant for dogs. It survived, but only just barely. It was horrible.

 

[charlie4486]

wow that's terrible.

 

[dthoffsett]

I've used liquid flea treatments for my cats in the past, however, one of them is severely allergic to the chemicals and gets bald patches with sores wherever it comes into contact with his skin. That's why I've started getting flea products from natural pet companies.

It's horrible that the chemicals you use to help your pets can kill them.