Use the right antiparasitic product for your pet
The use of external antiparasitics is a good way to protect pets from ticks, fleas and mosquitoes. However, using a product that is not intended for the animal being treated can cause serious, sometimes fatal, effects. Every year, dozens of cats and rabbits suffer adverse effects from the use of antiparasitic products intended for another species.
The most frequently reported adverse effects caused by antiparasitics involve the use of products containing permethrin on cats, whereas such products are meant for dogs. These antiparasitics can cause serious effects in cats, including neurological disorders (tremors, convulsions, ataxia, agitation, coma) sometimes associated with potentially fatal digestive signs. The severity of the symptoms is due to the cat’s inability to eliminate the compound from its body.
As for rabbits, they can be poisoned following the administration of antiparasitic products containing fipronil. These products, intended for dogs or cats, can cause general reactions (loss of appetite, lethargy) as well as digestive and neurological (convulsions) disorders that are sometimes fatal in rabbits.
In both situations, concentrated formulations, such as pipette products, are particularly toxic: just a few drops placed on the skin or licked by the animal can be enough to cause serious effects.
Serious accidents continue to be reported
Despite the contraindications found on product packaging and leaflets, as well as the statements issued to veterinarians and pet owners, accidents continue to occur every year: in 2024, 82 cases of adverse effects were reported in cats in France following the use of a medicine containing permethrin; 34 of these cases were deemed serious and four of the cats died. Nineteen reports of adverse effects were recorded in rabbits following the use of a medicine containing fipronil; three of these were serious cases.
How can you avoid poisoning?
- Do not treat your pet with products intended for another species
In the event of accidental exposure, even if adverse effects have not yet occurred:
- Wash your pet with warm water and soap or washing-up liquid
- Promptly seek advice from a veterinarian
If there are several pets in your household:
- Keep the treated animals away from the others until the application site of the antiparasitic treatment is dry
- Make sure that cats or rabbits cannot lick the area where the product was applied to the other animals
Report any adverse effects that occur following the use of a veterinary medicine.