Based upon my research the known toxin in the pet product I used is called permethrin also known as pyrethrum. This is known to be a toxic chemical to cats. The history of the chemical can be found here:
“Permethrin is generally low toxicity (but highly toxic to cats)”
Even though this statement is talking about the effects on insects, each reported cat symptoms have been the same. My cat defiantly displayed the same reaction before she died. :
“When it encounters pyrethrum, the insect is thrown into a state of nervous disorder. It runs from its hiding place and scuttles around erratically, or adopts a confused flight pattern. Both responses show that the insect has lost all control of its central nervous system. This contact effect is called activation.”
“Permethrin receives an EPA toxicity class rating of II or III (I = most toxic, IV = least toxic), and carries either the word WARNING or CAUTION on its label” (unfortunately none of the pet products I used had warning labels on them)
“Like all pyrethroids, permethrin is a central nervous system poison.”
Here is a site where you can read up on incidents pertaining to other flea products harming and killing pets. The time span is from 2002 to present day.
There are links embedded here that will lead you to other sites with recorded symptoms, injuries and deaths:
“Pyrethrins tartget the central and peripheral nervous systems in vertebrates and invertebrates where they disrupt the signal transmission along the nerve axon. Pyrethrins bind to the sodium channel causing it to remain open, whereby the nerve continues to be stimulated uncontrollably causing tremors. This condition results in rapid down and muscular paralysis in target organism resulting in death. Pytethrins enter the target organism via ingestion and physical contact.
“Nerve cell membranes have a specific electrical charge. Altering the amount of ions (charged atoms) passing through ion channels caused the membrane to depolarize which, in turn, causes a neurotransmitter to be released. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells communicate. Electrical Messages sent between nerve cells allow them to generate a response, lie a movement in an animal or insect.
Pyrethrins affect the nervous system of insects by causing multiple potentials in the nerve cells by delaying the closing of an ion channel. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids act as contact poisons, affect the insects nervous system.”
Pg.2
“Rats exposed to pyrethrins exhibited difficulty or rapid breathing, incoordination, sprawling of limbs, tremors, aggression, sensitivity to external stimuli, twitching, and exhaustion.”
Pg.19
“The critical toxicology effects of pyrethrins are (1) neurobehavioral effects (tremors, labored breathing, hyperactivity, secretory signs, matted coats), following acute, short-term, and chronic exposure, with nervous system lesions observed in the rat and mouse following acute exposure; (2) thyroid effects, following chronic exposure in the rat and dog; and (3) liver effects, following short- and long term exposure in the rat, dog and mouse.”
Pg.46
“Based on its evaluation of pyrethrins, the Agency has determined that pyrethrins products, unless labeled and used as specified in this document, would present risks inconsistent with FIFRA and FQPA. Accordingly, should a registrant fail to implement and of the deregistration requirements identified in this document, the Agency may take regulatory action to address the risk concerns from the used of pyrethrins. If all charges outlined in this document are incorporated into the product labels, then all current risks for pyrethrins will be adequately mitigated for the purposed of this determination.”
The following two documents published by the EPA contain both historical use information and current mitigation measures for the two active ingredients, as well as toxicity data.
Pyrethrins Reregistration Eligibility Decision:
Regulatory history (page 8), Use Profile (page 16), Toxic Effects (page 19), Product Label Changes (pages 78-106)
Piperonyl butoxide Reregistration Eligibility Decision:
Regulatory history (page 13), Use Profile (pages 14-15), Toxic Effects (page 17), Product Label Changes (pages 78-109)
Additional information on the toxicity of these two active ingredients can be found in the following fact sheets:
Sara 11/9/07
