Flea medication caution and common sense

Recently, a distraught pet owner rushed into Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) carrying a sick cat that had been poisoned by flea medication intended for dogs. Out of desperation, the owner brought the cat to the shelter.

According to a shelter volunteer, the cat was convulsing nonstop, and owner was crying hysterically. A representative from the nonprofit rescue Frost Fund offered to cover emergency lifesaving. The medical staff worked diligently, pumping intravenous fluids into the cat, but in the end, the animal died.

“They obviously loved the cat, but owners don’t have all the information sometimes,” the volunteer said.

Hard and fast — flea medications are species specific. Doses of a topical medication intended for dogs are dangerous and often fatal if used on a cat.

“Owners may use dog products on their cats thinking it is safe,” said Dr. Lilia Enciso, one of the veterinarians at LBACS. “Read product labels first.”

People may dose a cat with dog medication for a number of reasons: misreading the packaging, getting the meds without input from a veterinarian, thinking that dog flea meds are just heavier concentrations of the chemical so they can use less on a cat (they’re not, and they can’t), or listening to well-meant but incorrect advice. A language barrier may also confuse pet owners about flea products. Anyone can make a mistake, but the mistakes can be prevented.

Dr. Enciso provided an article from a veterinary forum, titled “Adverse Reactions to Spot-on Flea and Tick Products” by Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, DVM, PhD, DABT, DABVT. The article cites concentrated pyrethroids, for example, permethrin, as the chemical in canine flea meds that are harmful to cats. The article said that pyrethroids don’t harm dogs but can cause seizures and tremors in cats that can be fatal.

“These are not really adverse events but are instead true poisonings since the product was misused,” the article reads.

Whether you understand biochemistry or do not, and I sure don’t, that excerpt is the takeaway. The article also stressed reading the label on whatever product you use for flea prevention. This goes for your rabbit, too — Dr. Gwaltneh-Brant cited Frontline products in particular as toxic to rabbits.

Cats can be exposed to permethrin through oral, respiratory and topical routes, including licking or grooming a companion dog that has been treated, walking through moist areas recently treated, or rubbing against surfaces where permethrins have recently been applied. Dr. Enciso said that permethrin is also used in yard sprays, which is another likely reason to keep the cat indoors.

For different reasons, flea treatments intended for cats won’t be effective on dogs. But if you live with both a cat and a dog and you treat your dog with products containing permethrin, be sure that the cat doesn’t come into contact with the dog at least for a day or until the product has dried. If the dog and cat are close buddies, the cat could rub against the dog and then lick their own fur or the dog’s.

“Don’t allow cats to lick or groom a dog treated with permethrin,” Dr. Enciso said. “Keep them separated for a short time. Alternatively, avoid using a particular flea medication with these ingredients.”

Which is exactly what you may be thinking now. Ask your vet for a recommendation for a safe flea treatment for your cat. If you want to try a home remedy or a natural treatment, research the ingredients to be sure that none of them are harmful to any pet.

If you think that your cat has ingested or inhaled canine flea treatment, contact your veterinarian immediately or rush them to an emergency vet. Find the one nearest you, and keep the phone number and address on your refrigerator or contact information.

“Is It Safe to Use Dog Flea-and-Tick Products on Cats?” by Amanda Simonson, DVM lists these possible signs of permethrin poisoning:

• Excessive salivation/drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hiding
• Restlessness (anxious behaviors)
• Lack of coordination, stumbling, loss of balance
• Tremors/muscle twitching
• Seizures
• Abnormal breathing

The cat may have to be hospitalized or may receive outpatient treatment. The cat’s recovery or death will depend on the severity of the exposure and response to treatment.

Again, if you’re looking for flea protection for any pet, ask your vet, especially if you need a safe recommendation for a dog who has a cat roomie. Tell your friends to ask their vet, too, if they ask you to recommend something, especially anyone who isn’t fluent in English. Veterinarians can recommend products specific to your pet’s species, age, weight, medical and behavioral history, and whoever their furry besties are.

To quote Dr. Melanie Wagner, LBACS’ shelter manager, flea-med poisoning is “accidental but preventable.” Be aware, and may your pets be healthy, safe and, of course, free of fleas.

YOURS DROOLY

LBACS holds rewarding partnerships with other rescue and charitable organizations. With mutual support, dogs who are diamonds in the ruff, as it were, can receive training and exercise; rabbits can find solace and housing; sick animals can receive specialized medical care; and cats and kittens can get spayed or neutered and then pulled for rescue. Helen Sanders CatPAWS has been one of these partners for 16 years.

“Since our establishment as a nonprofit organization, we have sought to support Long Beach Animal Care Services by taking cats out of the shelter when able, participating in program development, providing education, resources, spay/neuter clinics and more,” said Deborah Felin-Magaldi, CatPAWS’ cofounder. “Our organization is intertwined with the Long Beach community, with the plight of its cats and helping the people who care for them. Even before our establishment as a nonprofit, our namesake, Helen Sanders, helped cats in Seal Beach and also Long Beach. There are still people active today who learned humane trapping and colony management under her tutelage.”

During a chat at the Long Beach’s Favorite Pet event, Felin-Magaldi and LBACS manager Dr. Melanie Wagner began brainstorming about how to highlight CatPAWS’ 16^th birthday and support LBACS, too.

“Deborah made an amazing suggestion that the board could sponsor the difference of cat adoption fees for all felines until Labor Day,” Dr. Wagner said. “So, the idea of Sweet 16 $16 adoptions was born!”

From now until Labor Day, anyone wanting to take home an LBACS kitty who’s 3 months old or older will pay only $16, with CatPAWS paying the rest of the adoption fee. You and your new buddy can use the money you save for a sweet 16 celebration for you and your new pal. It’ll buy plenty of toys, treats, food and catnip for party animals!

“I am incredibly grateful for the 16 years of CatPAWS’ ongoing support in rescuing medical cats and underage kittens, providing kitten kits, hosting bottle-feeding trainings to staff and volunteers, and for their dedicated work in TNR and spay and neuter,” Dr. Wagner said. “And now, this! This adoption special is just one more way that their generosity provides lifesaving outcomes for LBACS’ cats and kittens.”

Here are three deserving cats! To adopt, click this link for the adoptable cats page, find the name of your buddy-to-be, click the red Submit Interest button and fill out the form.

Bob is a shy, sweet, orange fellow, 3 years old. He’ll come out of his shell at home!

Karen was surrendered to Long Beach Animal Care Services when her person died. She's used to being in a home and would love someone to take her there. She’s 6 years old.

Tux, 2 years old, used to be a spicy dude, but he's gained the gravitas that his topcoat and spats suggests, thanks to the volunteers. He's most appreciative of a massage and kitty hors d'oeuvres.

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Rabbit vaccine clinic

The Bunny Bunch Rabbit Rescue will host Dr. Jen Kumar of Baker Bristol Pet Hospital for the vaccines your bunnies need to keep them healthy. $75 for health check and initial shots; $40 for second dose. Book an appointment here, or call 909-631-9552.

The Bunny Bunch vaccine clinic takes place Sunday, June 28, 10534 Bechler River Ave., Fountain Valley.

Trivia for Lebanon fundraiser

Join Cool Cat Collective and local Lebanese Long Beach resident Sarah Salamé for an evening of trivia, cats and fundraising to support Lebanon’s people and animals. Answer over 60 questions about Lebanon and cats, and learn while you compete for fun prizes. As an added bonus, the adoptable cats from TippedEars will join and whisper the answers in your ear! Cool Cat Collective will donate all proceeds from the event to support the Lebanese Red Cross and Animals Lebanon — the previous Lebanon Trivia event raised over $1,100 between ticket sales and contributions! This event has limited capacity, so come early with your team, or play solo!

The Lebanon Trivia fundraiser takes place Thursday, July 9, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at Cool Cat Collective, 2741 E. 4th St., C, Long Beach. Tickets are $15 each; purchase them here.

Whiskers & Words open mic night

Think you can get a word in edgewise with a bunch of cats milling around? Feline Good Social Club (FGSC) would like you to try! The cat lounge invites local writers, musicians and cat lovers to Whiskers & Words, a unique open mic night dedicated entirely to the pointy-eared characters in the audience and at large. Human attendees can step into the spotlight or settle into the audience while the lounge’s free-roaming, adoptable resident cats do their best to distract. Performers may share original poetry, read favorite cat-centric literature, or strum acoustic songs inspired by their four-legged muses. It’s the perfect opportunity for animal advocates and creatives to express their devotion to felines in a cozy, supportive community space. “Our resident kitties make the absolute coziest audience in Long Beach,” said Pam Leslie, Chief Feline Officer (CFO) of FGSC. “Whether you are stepping up to the microphone or just soaking up the creative energy, you get to cuddle with adoptable cats the entire time. It is a wonderful way to balance local art with vital animal socialization.”

Whiskers & Words takes place Saturday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m. at Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach. Tickets are $19.99; purchase tickets or sign up to perform at this link. All proceeds support local cat rescues.

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, pet food, veterinary assistance, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.