Study summary
Effects of an insecticidal dip containing d-limonene in the cat
Read the original paper- Study type
- Lab
- Year
- 1986
- Species tested
- Cats
- Published in
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
How it was tested
A controlled dermal-dosing study using a dip that was about 78% d-limonene, applied at graded multiples of the label concentration.
Summary
A controlled experiment applying a d-limonene insecticidal dip to cats at escalating strengths to map the dose at which citrus-oil toxicity appears.
Key findings
At the recommended concentration the cats showed no signs. At five times the dose they developed mild drooling, ataxia, and tremors, and at fifteen times, more severe and longer-lasting ataxia, tremors, and hypothermia. No cats died and the effects resolved, showing the toxicity is dose-dependent and appears above the labeled concentration.
Limitations
A small study (the exact number of cats is not in the accessible abstract), a single exposure, and effects specific to this formulation's concentration.