Many of the pets that some pet guardians look after are of different species, including cats, dogs, guinea pigs, birds, and rabbits.
There may be a temptation to treat their cat with the same prescription or over-the-counter flea or tick medication that they bought for their dog when a problem like fleas or ticks arises.
However, as the BC SPCA Senior Manager of Animal Health, Dr., points out, using the incorrect flea medication can poison cats and is a big no-no. Hannah Weitzenfeld. “Check your flea or tick medication label carefully. Giving your cat or any other animal a drug intended for dogs can result in serious illness like seizures or even death. ”.
An overdose can easily occur with cats or smaller animals. There are some over-the-counter flea and tick medications that are extremely toxic to cats and should never be used.
Weitzenfeld observes that “flea medications are labelled for specific species, and dosed for your pet’s weight – higher doses can cause animals to become ill, and lower doses will not be effective.”
The pet owner should seek veterinary care right away and bring the medication with them when they visit the doctor if a cat has come into contact with a dog’s oral or topical flea medication.
The Science of Flea Medication Overdoses
The chrysanthemum flower is the source of pyrethrin insecticides, while pyrethroids are their synthetic counterparts. They’re frequently utilized in powders and topical sprays that are used to treat and eradicate flea infestations.
However, reactions can also happen when a dog licks or bites the area where flea medicine has been applied, or when they inhale flea powder. Dogs may experience reactions to these ingredients if they are applied excessively and leach through the fur.
However, pyrethrin and pyrethroid are also present in a variety of other products in varying concentrations. For instance, you might discover them in some fertilizers as well as home-use yard and garden insecticides.
As a result, your veterinarian will also inquire as to whether the pet may have been exposed to any garden insecticides, fertilizers, or other products that may contain these chemicals if the pet exhibits symptoms of pyrethrin/pyrethroid poisoning but hasn’t recently received flea or tick medication.
What Is Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Dogs?
There are strict guidelines to follow when administering these medications to prevent toxicity, even though it is crucial for your dog to be on flea and tick prevention to help reduce the risk of the numerous diseases these insects carry.
When exposed in large doses to pets, substances toxic to insects like fleas and ticks can also be harmful. Some common flea and tick medications contain pyrethrins or pyrethroids. Pyrethroids are synthetic derivatives of the pyrethrins, a class of drugs derived from the chrysanthemum flower or plant.
Pyrethrins are rarely found in products used daily, but pyrethroids are commonly found in products used around the home for insect control, in addition to common preventative flea and tick medications. Dogs are often exposed to high doses in flea and tick preventives, and then to lower concentrations when these products are used inside or outside the home in the form of insect sprays, foggers, and granules.
Isoxazolines are a more recent class of flea and tick prevention drugs that have been connected to toxicity. These drugs, which were the first oral flea and tick treatments, are very effective but can also be toxic if administered improperly or in excess. If the recommended dosage is used, these preventative measures are safe to use. Isoxazoline-containing preventives include:
Get your dog to a vet or animal hospital right away if ear flicking or scratching develops into shaking, unsteadiness, or salivation. Do not try to wash him if these symptoms appear. The poison may already be in his system at this point, so he needs to be stabilized and probably given fluids. Once he has been stabilized, wash him in warm water and liquid soap. Warm water is critical in order to prevent shock. Additionally, your veterinarian might recommend medication to assist with his systemic detoxification.
More often than poisoning from collars, flea infestation treatments like powders and sprays can cause poisoning. It is possible for dogs to experience mild to moderate allergies, hives, nausea, respiratory distress, tremors, vomiting, and shock in response to pyrethrins or pyrethroids. Other typical symptoms of flea medication poisoning include excessive drooling, agitation, and excitability. In more severe cases, tremors can lead to seizures. Call your veterinarian right away if you notice any of these signs.
Dogs commonly flick their ears or scratch in response to flea treatments, though these reactions are typically minor and short-lived. But these early indications suggest that your dog might be exposed to too many chemicals. Use a dry towel to soak up the excess. If symptoms continue, wash her with mild soap, such as liquid dish detergent, in a warm bath to remove the chemicals from her fur.
When used as directed, the majority of commercial flea products are safe, but you should exercise caution when using topical flea treatments or collars. The majority of collars contain substances like tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur that release flea-repelling drugs into the fur. Pyrethrins, which are derived from chrysanthemums, or their synthetic cousins, pyrethroids, are frequently found in topical sprays and powders. Leaching chemicals from fur is less dangerous than licking or biting irritated areas where flea medications are applied, or inhaling powder.
For dogs, fleas are at best inconvenient and at worst painful. Conscious dog owners take precautions to avoid the tiny bloodsuckers. But you must be aware of the dangers these chemicals pose to dogs if your flea-treating strategy includes powders, sprays, or collars. In the end, flea medicine poisoning may cause more damage than actual fleas.
FAQ
Can a dog overdose on flea and tick pills?
These drugs, which were the first oral flea and tick treatments, are very effective but can also be toxic if administered improperly or in excess. If the recommended dosage is used, these preventative measures are safe to use.
Can I give my dog two doses of flea medicine?
Never give your pet more than one flea treatment, unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to. Fleas can be a very annoying issue, and some medications may not work right away.
What happens if you give dog flea medicine twice?
Overdosing on flea medication can cause twitches and tremors in affected dogs, as well as repeated nerve discharges. As a result, signs of a mild flea medication overdose in dogs include paw flicking, excessive salivation, twitching, depression, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Can animals overdose on flea medicine?
An overdose can easily occur with cats or smaller animals. There are some over-the-counter flea and tick medications that are extremely toxic to cats and should never be used.