Fleas and ticks are already a big problem this year, so it's a good idea to keep up on your pet's monthly preventative. It is very important to remember that permethrin, the active ingredient in many canine flea and tick products, is toxic to cats. Medications that contain permethrin include Advantix, Adams Spot-On, and Hartz flea and tick products for dogs.
The cat in the picture below is being bathed after his owners accidentally applied K9 Advantix to his back.
Luckily, this cat's owners realized their mistake right away. They washed him off and brought him right to us at VACC, where he was bathed again several times. He was fine, but very fortunate that he didn't need further treatment. If his owners hadn't realized their mistake as soon as they did, he may have suffered from symptoms as mild as trembling or ear flicking, to more severe full-blown seizures. Cats also occasionally groom their dog friends, so it is important to keep your cats separate after applying a flea and tick medication containing permethrin to your dog.
If you suspect your cat has accidentally received a dose of Advantix, or other permethrin containing product, get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
