Acute deltamethrin intoxication in a cat – a case report

Abstract

Deltamethrin is a synthetic type II pyrethroid insecticide that is widely used to protect vegetables, fruits and agricultural crops against pests such as mites, ants, beetles and weevils. Moreover, it is used in veterinary practice as an ectoparasiticide, but it is not approved for feline use. To my knowledge, deltamethrin intoxication in cats has never been reported before. For the first time, this report aimed to report clinical, haematological and biochemical changes due to deltamethrin intoxication in a cat. The cat had complaints of involuntary movements and difficulty in standing because the owner sprayed his kittens to treat lice infestation with a watery solution of a pesticide containing deltamethrin, and the mother cat licked its kittens. In the clinical examination of the cat – incoordination, spontaneous contractions, ataxia, hyperesthesia, hypothermia (T: 37.2°C), bradycardia (128/bpm), tachypnea, mydriasis and erosive lesions in the tongue – were detected. Hematologic examination revealed leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Biochemical analysis showed an increase in AST, LDH and CK-MB activities and potassium levels. Given that there is no specific antidote to deltamethrin toxicity, symptomatic treatment was given. Fluid therapy (0.9% NaCl and 5% dextrose solution at a dose of 40 ml/kg, IV) was administered for the elimination of the toxin from the body and coping with septic shock. Diazepam (0.5 mg/kg, IV) was administered to alleviate neurological signs. Enrofloxacin (5 mg/ kg, SC) was administered for three days due to sepsis, leukocytosis and neutrophilia. In the treatment of hypothermia, blankets and hot water bottles were used. After this treatment, the cat recovered. This case report, confirms that deltamethrin, like other pyrethroids, is quite toxic to cats, the clinical findings appeared in a short time, and neurological findings, especially choreoathetosis, were dominant. Consequently, this study demonstrated that deltamethrin causes neutrophilia, leukocytosis, hyperkalaemia, and heart and skeletal muscle damage in cats.