Insecticide poisoning in cats is usually accidental: a dog product applied to a cat, a cat grooming a recently treated dog, or a chewed tick collar. Three groups matter for the NAVLE: pyrethrins and pyrethroids (permethrin is the classic), organophosphates and carbamates, and amitraz. Each has a different clinical picture and a different antidote.
Key facts
Insecticide toxicity at a glance- Species and system: cat; neuromuscular and multisystemic toxicology.
- Pyrethroids: cats appear more sensitive than other pets (MSD); permethrin dog products are the classic cause. Tremors, seizures, hypersalivation.
- Organophosphates and carbamates: acetylcholinesterase inhibition causes a cholinergic crisis; atropine, and pralidoxime for organophosphates.
- Amitraz: an alpha-2 agonist, not recommended in cats; sedation, bradycardia, mydriasis, hyperglycemia; treat with atipamezole or yohimbine.
- Handling: staff and owners should wear gloves when bathing a contaminated cat.
What's inside
10 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Pyrethrin and pyrethroid toxicosis
- Organophosphate and carbamate toxicosis
- Amitraz toxicosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Prevention and prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 3 self-test questions and 8 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.