What is Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity?
Not only do fleas and ticks cause intense itching and skin irritation, but they can also transmit various diseases like tapeworm, Rickettsia (both from fleas), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease (both from ticks). Because of these potentially serious illnesses, ridding your dog, and your home of these pests is important and very desirable. Prevention in the first place is a necessity also, and the routine use of prescribed insecticides is the method that works the best. However, toxicity from the improper or careless use of these products is a valid concern.
Flea and tick medicines contain insecticides (also called ectoparasiticides) that can be toxic if not applied correctly, if applied in larger doses than are safe, or if they are accidentally ingested. Most products used to eliminate fleas and ticks are topical applications and are applied to the back of the neck.Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity Average Cost
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Symptoms of Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Dogs
The are a great number of pesticides used in the products typically applied on dogs; they can cause varying degrees of toxicity. Most of the time, flea and tick medicine poisoning occurs due to the ingestion (whether accidentally or intentionally) of the medicine, as opposed to the application. However, poisoning can occur due to application only. A small sample of the ectoparasiticides is listed here.
- Pyrethrins and pyrethroids
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Difficulty breathing
- Profuse drooling
- Weakness
- Tearing of the eyes
- Diarrhea
- More severe cases of poisoning from pyrethrins and pyrethroids can show these additional symptoms:
- Depression
- Fever
- Low body temperature
- Disorientation
- Respiratory failure can be followed by death
Symptoms of Indoxacarb and Organophosphates include:
- Indoxacarb
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness
- Depression
- Abnormal walk and movement
- Inability to stand
- Head tilt
- Organophosphates
- Profuse drooling
- Small pupils (miosis)
- Frequent urination
- Muscle contractions (fasciculation)
- Lack of coordination
- Weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Nervousness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Collapse can precede death
We must stress that products designed to be used as repellents or eliminators of fleas and ticks in dogs can not be used on cats. The reaction is much more severe, and the consequences can be dire.
Types
- Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids
- Pyrethrum, used to make these compounds which are used in flea and tick medicines, is extracted from the chrysanthemum plant
- Indoxacarb (Oxadiazines)
- This compound is in a chemical class use in crop pesticides
- It is used alone in products for flea control, and in combination with permethrin in tick control
- Organophosphates
- These are derivatives of phosphoric, or phosphoric acid, and vary greatly in residual degree and toxicity
- Flea collars can contain this product
The list of compounds used in flea and tick medicine is extensive, with others included being isoxazolines (the first oral flea and tick product), and chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds (used in dipping treatments), to name just two.
Causes of Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Dogs
The reaction your pet may have to flea and tick medicine depends on many factors.
- Age can be a factor if the medicine is used on puppies that are under the recommended age for safe use
- Combining products in hopes that “more is better” can be a bad idea due to contraindication of the medicines
- Poisoning can happen when the label is not read properly, and directions are ignored
- Using too high a dosage for the size of the dog can cause a toxic reaction
- Some pet owners may use a small amount of a tube meant for large dogs on their small dog to save money, not realizing that the dosage and strength can be wrong for a small canine
- Ingestion of flea and tick medicine, whether by eating oral tablets or licking off a topical application, can be dangerous
- Using an insecticide meant for humans (such as DEET for ticks and mosquitoes), in hopes that it will kill fleas or ticks on your dog can be a critical mistake
- If an unregulated over the counter medicine is used or an out of date product is used, the regulations of the usage and safety could have changed
Diagnosis of Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Dogs
The onset of signs that your dog has been poisoned by a topical, dip, oral, spray, or collar flea and tick medicine can range from a few hours to a few days. When you use a substance containing an ectoparasiticide on your canine family member, always record the amount, day, and time of use. A reaction can occur at any time, even if your pet has had the product used on him before.
When you bring your pet to the veterinary clinic, the care team will ask for the history of what product was used, and when it was applied or given. If possible, bring the container or packaging with you.
Your veterinarian will base her diagnosis on clinical signs, a urine sample, and a serum blood test. Detection through urine or blood is not always definitive. This is why bringing the packaging is so important. At the very least, be aware of the name of the product and how much you used, if possible.
Treatment of Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Dogs
The protocol for the poisoning remedy will depend on many factors.
- The degree of toxicity your pet is experiencing
- Which product was used to eliminate or prevent the fleas and ticks
- How long ago the medicine was applied or given orally
- The age and the health of your dog before the poisoning occurred
Many of the hundreds of compounds used in flea and tick medicines adversely affect the nervous, muscular and respiratory systems of your pet when overdosed. Treatment will depend on which systems have been disturbed, and what functions are in need of correction. Some of the methods and medications used for detoxifying your dog are listed below.
- If the toxicity is affecting the skin, a bath to remove the product will be done
- Some compounds require inducing vomiting, where others are best not to have vomiting brought on
- Medication to empty the bowel is sometimes given
- Seizure drugs or muscle relaxants may be appropriate
- Active charcoal is often used to bind and eliminate stomach contents
- Intravenous access for fluids and medication administration could be necessary
- Oxygen might be required if your dog is having trouble breathing
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Recovery of Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity in Dogs
Using flea and tick medicine for the elimination and prevention of these pests is a necessity in order to keep our beloved animal family members (and us) healthy and happy. However, caution is key to preventing poisoning.
Always purchase flea and tick products from your veterinary clinic. Doing so will ensure that you are using regulated, tested medicines. This will also give you the added security of safe dosage amounts because your veterinarian will tell you how much to use based on the age, health condition and weight of your dog.
Follow the directions of your veterinarian to the letter. Never use dog flea and tick products on other animal family members. Do not combine medicines in the hopes that the flea or tick problem will be resolved sooner.
Wash your hands after handling or applying flea and tick medicine, and be sure to store the medicines safely, out of the reach of pets and children.
Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity Average Cost
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Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Japanese Chin
Gypsey
10 Years
0 found this helpful
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Loss Of Appetite
I am taking care of my dads dogs. I just gave them there second dose of nexagaurd on November 1st. It was 30 days after the first dose. His one dog weighs less than 10 pounds and is about 10 years old. I treated her with nexagaurd 0 to 10 pounds. The first month of being treated she had no side effects. Since treating her with her second dose she has not eaten and shakes off and on. I did call my vet and they had said it was not a side effect. But when reading online it states that is a side effect. I do not have the money to take her to the vet. I would like to know what home treatment remedies can be done before rushing her to the vets?
Nov. 4, 2017
0 Recommendations
There is a lot of bad press (mainly social media and unreputable sources) about NexGard online with many owners blaming the product for illness; gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite) are the most common side effects/adverse reactions found in dogs, neurological symptoms may be seen in dogs with a history of seizures or other neurological conditions which is why the product is contraindicated in dogs with a history of seizures. All you can do at home is to ensure that Gypsey stays hydrated and try to encourage eating with some warmed up wet food or some boiled chicken and rice; I would advise to get the tremors/shaking looked at, but there is nothing else which can be done at home. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.nexgardfordogs.com/Style%20Library/nexgard/docs/NexGard_PI.pdf
Nov. 5, 2017
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Cocker Spaniel
Peter
5 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking
Fever
Lethargy
Teary-Eyed
My dog has been struggling with fleas for over a month and a half. I have been treating him with baths 1-2x a week and sprays about the same. But recently the fleas got really bad so I gave him a good spray down, a flea bath, and then gave him Bravecto to get rid of the fleas. He is now very lethargic, teary eyed, and is acting feverish and shaky. I called the vet today but she basically just said that the meds in his system and there is nothing I can really do for him. Is she wrong? Do you think I should be worried about him? Aside that all. He is eating and drinking just fine.
Oct. 27, 2017
0 Recommendations
According to the prescribing information about Bravecto (fluralaner), 5.4% of dogs in the initial control study had lethargy as an adverse reaction; in these cases there is no real treatment and as your Veterinarian mentioned it is really a case of allowing the active ingredient to work it’s way out of Peter’s body. Adverse reactions are not uncommon and can be distressing for owners, but it is important to keep an eye on Peter and ensure that he is remaining hydrated. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://us.bravecto.com/pdfs/bravecto_pi_mah.pdf
Oct. 27, 2017
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Miniature Schnauzer
Santana
7 Years
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Hello
My 13 lb, 7 year old mini schnauzer is showing signs of this toxicity from flea medication. He is breathing and eating just fine, acting normal except is having random tremors on his back. These are not consistent instead come on in fits when he is relaxed. I added this treatment to him about 4 days ago. Are you able to advise? Thanks very much
Oct. 24, 2017
0 Recommendations
Tremors from flea medication are uncommon but do occur, at this point if there are only tremors and no other symptoms it would be a case of keeping an eye on him and waiting for it to leave his system. There is no over the counter medication which will reverse the effects of the tremors, if you are concerned you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 24, 2017
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Chiweenie
Cutie
5 Months
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My older dog spit out her nexguard and our smaller dog ran up to eat it before I could grab it. The puppy is 12lbs and the pill was for 22-60lb dogs. She was fine all night until I went to bed. Do you think this could cause problems?
Oct. 22, 2017
0 Recommendations
Cutie should be alright, see the animal safety study results below: -
“In a margin of safety study, NexGard was administered orally to 8 to 9-week-old Beagle puppies at 1, 3, and 5 times the maximum exposure dose (6.3 mg/kg) for three treatments every 28 days, followed by three treatments every 14 days, for a total of six treatments. Dogs in the control group were sham-dosed. There were no clinically relevant effects related to treatment on physical examination, body weight, food consumption, clinical pathology (hematology, clinical chemistries, or coagulation tests), gross pathology, histopathology or organ weights. Vomiting occurred throughout the study, with a similar incidence in the treated and control groups, including one dog in the 5x group that vomited four hours after treatment.”
I would just keep a close on her her for any adverse reactions, if you have any concerns visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.nexgardfordogs.com/Style%20Library/nexgard/docs/NexGard_PI.pdf
https://wagwalking.com/condition/nexgard-allergies
Oct. 22, 2017
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Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $300 - $5,000
Average Cost
$1,200
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