Intensive nursing care provided to a patient with permethrin toxicosis
Abstract
This article describes and evaluates the intensive nursing care provided to a feline patient with permethrin toxicosis. Permethrin is an active ingredient in some over-the-counter insecticide products. Cats are particularly sensitive to permethrin toxicosis due to a deficiency of glucouronide transferase enzyme which is necessary for permethrin metabolism. Nursing interventions should include provision of supportive care to maintain hydration, normovolaemia, normothermia and patient comfort. Recommendations for future practice include increasing awareness of the potential life-threatening complications of permethrin toxicosis and active reporting of suspected adverse reactions to enable effective monitoring and intervention as appropriate.
Permethrin is an active ingredient widely available in some over-the-counter insecticide products. Permethrin-based products are often contraindicated in cats due to an increased risk of toxicity (Sutton et al. 2007). An estimated 288 cases of feline permethrin toxicosis are reported per year (Sutton et al. 2007), one fifth of reported cases Malik et al (2010) suggests may result in fatalities. This article provides a patient care report describing the presentation and intensive nursing care provided to a feline patient with permethrin toxicosis following application of a canine permethrin-based spot on flea treatment.
Species: Feline
Breed: Domestic long hair Age: 2 years
Sex: Female (neutered)
Weight: 3.20 kg
The patient was found collapsed outside the owner's home and was presented to the hospital with cold extremities, profuse diarrhoea and active muscle tremors. The owner had applied a canine permethrin-based spot on flea treatment the previous evening.
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