Cyndi on Permethrin

Hey, Cyndi here with a short PSA.  It's past my nap time. Actually, in this humidity, it's always nap time.

Years ago, Jan tried the "flea killing" products sold in stores but didn't like them and they didn't work so she stopped using them. One of the ingredients in a number of them is permethrin. She has seen folks buying flea collars, flea shampoo and spot-on products from Wal-mart or other stores, with no idea or any interest in what the products contain or whether they could harm the animal.  Thus, a number of cats have died because consumers knew nothing about the ingredients and the product didn't provide a clear warning that permethrin should not be used on cats. Or that a dog flea product should never be used on a cat.

Many might not have heard of permethrin. But we hope you will all remember the word. You never know when this tiny bit of information might come in handy.

FAB (Feline Advisory Board) has an article, Feline Permethrin Poisoning, by Lara Boland of Australia.

"Cats are highly sensitive to permethrin and are more likely to develop signs of toxicity than dogs. Permethrin is metabolized (broken down by) the liver. It is suspected that cats may be more likely to develop permethrin toxicity because they have different liver metabolic pathways to other species"...

We hope you will read this article or an article on another site, if you prefer. There are many warnings online.

The reason this is on our mind is because Jan often sits on the steps or walks around the pen to scoop poop or cut the grass with a swing blade when the weather is nice, and she is being driven crazy with itchy bites all over her legs and feet. The bites are most likely from fleas, so she will be spraying the backyard with a product containing permethrin, and the dogs will not be allowed outside until the spray dries. Rusty will have to wait a little longer.

UPDATE:We barely posted this when we got a Facebook message to please include Tiny Timmy's Healing Journey. We're glad he caught our post right away and reminded us of his story!  What he has to say is important.. Please go read his story: Life & Times of TT, neurologically damaged from exposure to toxic OTC flea & tick products.

We apologize for not being around as often as we'd like lately but Jan says working toward green papers for food and shelter takes priority over blogging. She's been working hard on new designs for our store and wants me to sign off so she can have the computer back.

We have been trying to keep up with special occasions, illnesses and bridge departures, though. Be safe and healthy!