Study summary
Fenvalerate/N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) toxicosis in two cats
Read the original paper- Study type
- Other
- Year
- 1990
- Sample size
- 2 subjects
- Species tested
- Cats
- Published in
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
How it was tested
A two-cat clinical case report.
Summary
A case report of two cats poisoned after a flea-and-tick product containing both fenvalerate (a pyrethroid) and DEET was applied to their skin.
Key findings
Both cats developed hypersalivation, ataxia, depression, and tremors within 4 to 6 hours, one of them seizing, and both died; tissue analysis confirmed both fenvalerate and DEET. Because the product combined DEET with fenvalerate, which is itself toxic to cats, the signs cannot be pinned on DEET alone.
Limitations
Only two cats, and the combined-product exposure means DEET's individual contribution cannot be separated from the pyrethroid's.