References

Alpert S. Essential oils/liquid potpourri, 2nd edition. In: Hovda LR, Brutlag AG, Poppenga RH, Peterson KL (eds). Ames, Iowa: John Wiley and Sons; 2016

Bischoff K, Guale F. Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil poisoning in three purebred cats. J Vet Diagn Invest. 1998; 10:(2)208-10

Cao H, Yang G, Wang Y Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015; 1:(1) https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009436.pub2

Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006; 19:(1)50-62

COLIPA. The European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association. Cosmetics Europe COLIPA Recommendation Number 12: teatree oil. 2002. https://www.cosmeticseurope.eu/files/5514/6408/3534/CR-12-Tea-TreeOil.PDF (accessed 20th November, 2018)

Ernst E, Huntley A. Tea tree oil: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2000; 7:(1)17-20

Fitzi J, Fürst-Jucker J, Wegener T, Saller R, Reichling J. Phytotherapy of chronic dermatitis and pruritus of dogs with a topical preparation containing tea tree oil (Bogaskin). Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2002; 144:(5)223-31

Genovese AG, McLean MK, Khan SA. Adverse reactions from essential oil-containing natural flea products exempted from Environmental Protection Agency regulations in dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2012; 22:(4)470-5 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-4431.2012.00780.x

Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV, Nielsen JB. A review of the toxicity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil. Food Chem Toxicol. 2006; 44:(5)616-25

International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 4730:2004. Oil of melaleuca, terpinen-4-ol type (tea tree oil). 2004. https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:37033:en (accessed 3rd October, 2018)

Kaluzienski M. Partial paralysis and altered behaviour in dogs treated with melaleuca oil [abstract]. Clin Toxicol. 2000; 38:(5)518-19

Khan SA, McLean MK, Slater MR. Concentrated tea tree oil toxicosis in dogs and cats: 443 cases (2002-2012). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2014; 244:(1)95-9 https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.244.1.95

Kohlert C, van Rensen I, März R, Schindler G, Graefe EU, Veit M. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of natural volatile terpenes in animals and humans. Planta Med. 2000; 66:(6)495-505

Norris J. Tea tree oil poisoning in a cat. Control & Therapy Series. 1990; 157

Reichling J, Fitzi J, Hellmann K, Wegener T, Bucher S, Saller R. Topical tea tree oil effective in canine localised pruritic dermatitis--a multi-centre randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial in the veterinary practice. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2004; 111:(10)408-14

Thornton M. Tea tree oil poisoning: possible case. Control & Therapy Series. 1990; 153

Villar D, Knight MJ, Hansen SR, Buck WB. Toxicity of melaleuca oil and related essential oils applied topically on dogs and cats. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1994; 36:(2)139-42

Weseler A, Geiss HK, Saller R, Reichling J. Antifungal effect of Australian tea tree oil on Malassezia pachydermatis isolated from canines suffering from cutaneous skin disease. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2002; 144:(5)215-21

Wismer T, Means C. Toxicology of newer insecticides in small animals. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2012; 42:(2)335-47 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.12.004

Tea tree oil exposure in cats and dogs

02 November 2018
9 mins read
Volume 9 · Issue 9

Abstract

Tea tree oil is an essential oil from the Australian tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia and is sometimes promoted as a natural or herbal treatment for fleas in pets. Although products containing low concentrations of tea tree oil are not expected to be a problem in pets, the use of pure tea tree oil directly on the skin is potentially very serious in pets and should never be used. Exposure may cause ataxia, salivation, lethargy, coma and tremor. Dermal exposure to tea tree oil may also result in dermatitis as the oil is irritant to skin. Even a few drops of pure tea tree oil applied dermally can cause clinical signs, and deaths have occurred in pets treated with pure tea tree oil. Treatment includes dermal decontamination and supportive care.

Tea tree oil is sometimes used by owners as a ‘herbal’ or ‘natural’ treatment for fleas, but it is potentially hazardous, particularly when used undiluted. Poisoning has even occurred when pure tea tree oil has been added to water and sprayed on pets.

Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the leaves and terminal branches of the Australian tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia (Carson et al, 2006). Essential oils are produced by plants and give the plant their characteristic odour. Some people find the camphor-like odour of tea tree oil unpleasant. Essential oils are volatile oils that evaporate at room temperature (compared with fixed oils which do not). Tea tree oil is a colourless to pale yellow liquid containing a complex mixture of compounds including terpene hydrocarbons; more than 100 individual compounds have been identified in tea tree oil (Hammer et al, 2006).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.