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Is Permethrin Safe For Dogs? Facts, Advice & Usage (Vet Answer)

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What is Permethrin?
Usage
How Often to Use It?
Side Effects
FAQ

Nobody likes the idea of dousing their pets in chemicals, but nobody likes the idea of fleas, ticks, and other creepy crawlies living on their canine companions either. This puts pet parents between a rock and a hard place when it comes to balancing external parasites. Fortunately, permethrin, when used correctly, is considered safe for dogs. But that doesn’t mean you should use permethrin without first consulting with your vet. Here we’ll break down how to use permethrin properly and safely to keep external parasites at bay.

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What is Permethrin?

Permethrin is an insecticide that belongs to the pyrethroid family. All this means is that acts similarly to a group of compounds that are naturally found in the chrysanthemum flower. It is a man-made product that is used to kill lice and mites on livestock species, mosquitos in urban areas, and fleas and ticks on companion animals. K9 Advantix and Frontline Shield are two topical permethrin products you may be familiar with.

Along with animals, permethrin can also be used on crops, gardens, buildings, and clothing to kill and repel a number of unwanted nuisances.

Permethrin works by disrupting the nervous system of insects, causing spasms, paralysis, and death. Dogs and humans are safe from the effects of permethrin because they can break it down quickly and harmlessly. Insects, on the other hand, can not, making it extremely toxic to them. It’s important to know that cats also can’t properly metabolize permethrin, so it shouldn’t be used on them.

man-spraying-pesticide-on-a-lawn
Image Credit: Virrage Images, Shutterstock

How is Permethrin Used in Dogs?

You’ll most likely run into permethrin as a topical insecticide that you put on your dog’s skin. These medications are absorbed by the skin, providing a metered dosage of permethrin, and other ingredients, throughout a dog’s body for a limited duration to help protect against fleas, ticks, lice, and mites. Other ingredients may be included that will also handle internal parasites, such as roundworms, but that depends on the product.

Topical products containing permethrin will be dosed based on a dog’s weight range. Giving the recommended dose at the recommended frequency is considered safe for most healthy dogs. If your pup has a health condition, be sure to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog permethrin-containing products or any other parasiticides.

You may also find permethrin as an area spray to treat fleas and ticks in your home. These come in a variety of formulations, so you should use them according to the labeled instructions.

How Often is Permethrin Given to Dogs?

Most topical flea and tick products that contain permethrin are labeled to be given roughly once a month, or every 30 days. If you forget to give your pup their next dose, just give it as soon as you remember then readjust your schedule for the next 30 days. Be aware that a lapse in treatment may put your pup at risk of a flea, tick, or otherwise infestation, but giving the next dose as soon as you remember will likely take care of it.

man-applying-topical-flea-or-tick-treatment-on-dogs-coat
Image Credit: Dmitriev Mikhail, Shutterstock

Permethrin Potential Side Effects

When used at the recommended dosage and frequency in healthy dogs, side effects are rare, but you may see:

  • Redness, itching, or greasiness at the application site
  • Vomiting or diarrhea if ingested
  • Incoordination, twitching, or behavioral changes

Since permethrin has a rather yucky taste, it’s unlikely that a dog will ingest enough to become a problem, but overdoses can occur. In these cases, your dog may experience neurological signs of incoordination, muscle tremors, or lethargy. Contact your vet if your dog is displaying any unusual signs after using a permethrin-containing product.

Cats can be extremely sensitive to permethrin. If a product is unintentionally used on a cat, it can cause severe neurological issues, and even death. Don’t use permethrin products on cats and don’t allow your cat to be around your dog until the product is absorbed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What bugs does permethrin keep away?

Permethrin works well to kill and repel fleas, ticks, mosquitos, lice, mites, and flies. It can be used as a topical medication for dogs or as an area spray for homes, buildings, and outdoor areas. It can also be used as a spray on livestock.

Is permethrin safe after it dries?

At the proper dose, permethrin is safe to use in dogs, but it can be dangerous to use on a cat. However, once the product is dry, it is typically safe for a cat to be around it. In other words, once your room spray is dry or your dog’s topical is absorbed, it’s considered safe for your cat. If you have any questions, ask your vet.

What should I do if my dog or cat experiences any side effects after using permethrin?

If you notice any of the above signs after using a permethrin product, contact your vet or pet poison hotline immediately and follow their recommendations.  Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate dosage for your dog before use.

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Image Credit: Chutima Chaochaiya, Shutterstock

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In Conclusion

Permethrin is considered safe to use in dogs at the appropriate dose and frequency. It can work wonders against fleas, ticks, mites, and lice when used as a topical and may even help repel mosquitos and flies. Just be sure to consult your veterinarian if your dog has any health issues and to ensure you are using a proper dose. Never use permethrin products on cats.

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Featured Image Credit: luchschenF, Shutterstock

The post Is Permethrin Safe For Dogs? Facts, Advice & Usage (Vet Answer) appeared first on PangoVet.

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My Dog Ate A Condom: Our Vet Explains What To Do Next

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Why Do Dogs Eat Condoms
What Can Happen Next
When To Be Worried
If Your Dog Seems Fine
When To Call The Vet
FAQ

Dogs seem to be renowned for chewing, eating, and swallowing things they shouldn’t, which can be made so much worse when the item they’ve managed to ingest is something slightly embarrassing. If your dog has eaten a condom, it’s understandable that you would prefer to do some online reconnaissance before calling your vet for advice, and this is where we can give you some good news.

If your dog has eaten a condom, they will probably be fine, but there are some exceptions and circumstances you need to be aware of before you can completely relax and get back to what you were doing.

The main factors we need to consider are the size of your dog, if they have any health conditions, allergies, or pertinent surgical history, and whether or not the item in question was still in the packet.

Let’s dive in.

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Why Do Dogs Eat Condoms (and other things)?

Most of the time, our dogs will pick up, chew, or swallow non-food items out of curiosity, playfulness, and sometimes, hunger. This is particularly true if those items happened to be flavored.

There are nutrient deficiencies, behavioral issues, or compulsions that cause some dogs to habitually eat things that they shouldn’t, so if you often find yourself typing the words “My Dog Just Ate A…” into Google, it’s probably worth a conversation with a vet.

Someone once said that nothing moves faster than a dog that’s been asked “what is that in your mouth?”, and that sounds pretty accurate! In fact, some items are probably swallowed by dogs trying to avoid trouble or prevent having their new ‘toy’ taken away. The reasons why a dog might eat are condom are likely to be:

  • the rubbery texture
  • the flavor of the condom (if applicable)
  • the scent/taste of a used condom

That last one might be a bit hard to swallow, but dogs don’t think of bodily fluids in the same way we do. Something that might seem cringeworthy, embarrassing, or disgusting to us, may purely be interesting and appealing to your dog. Although not exactly a nutritious snack, human ejaculate contains a reasonable amount of protein, vitamin C, zinc, B12, fat, and fructose, so your dog may simply view the contents of a discarded prophylactic as similar to a dollop of spilled egg white. It certainly doesn’t make them deviants!

two packs of condoms
Image Credit: Anqa, Pixabay

My Dog Ate A Condom: What Can Happen Next?

In the majority of cases, your dog will be fine and no harm will be done. However, there are a few potential issues that could arise:

  • Intestinal obstruction: any item that is not readily digested has the potential to cause a blockage. This can occur at different locations, but most commonly at the pyloric sphincter (where stomach contents enters the small intestine), along the small intestine, or the ileocecal junction (where the small intestine enters the large intestine).
  • If your dog has previously had intestinal surgery (perhaps from eating something else that caused an obstruction) they may have adhesions or narrowed areas of the intestines, which can make them more likely to suffer from blockages in those areas.
  • Although rare, your dog could be allergic to the materials in the condom, the lubricant, or (if applicable) the flavoring and dyes. They are unlikely to cause a full anaphylactic reaction, but they could result in reactions like hives and itchy skin, gastrointestinal inflammation, or irritation of the mouth and gums.

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My Dog Ate A Condom: When Should I Be Worried?

This is where size, number, and packaging are important.

If your dog is of medium size or larger (ie. larger than around 25 lbs), the chances are high that a condom – even one still in the packet – will make it through the digestive tract without issue. However, there is a chance that the plastic wrapper may cause some irritation and inflammation to the intestinal walls as it passes through. The gut lining is actually pretty tough, so a condom wrapper is unlikely to cause any damage beyond that.

A condom in or outside the wrapper could potentially cause a blockage, and the risk of this is higher for smaller dogs, or if more than one condom has been eaten.

close up of condom packs
Image Credit: Hans, Pixabay

If Your Dog Seems Fine

If your dog seems comfortable and happy, you may wish to monitor them at home. Offer them small meals every 3-4 hours to ensure that they are eating and swallowing normally. This will also encourage the problematic prophylactic to move through the digestive tract. Make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water or eating moist food.

It may take at least 48 hours for the condom to pass, so continue to monitor your dog during this time.

When To Call The Vet

It is never too early to call your vet for advice or speak to a vet online. If you are worried about anything your dog has eaten, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you are monitoring your dog at home, here are some red flags that mean you need to overcome embarrassment and contact your vet immediately:

  • if your dog has eaten multiple condoms
  • if your dog appears to be uncomfortable, bloated, or in pain
  • if your dog will not eat or drink
  • if your dog is lethargic
  • if your dog is vomiting, salivating, or unable to keep food or water down
  • if your dog is struggling to pass feces
  • if your dog shows any signs of allergic reaction – hives, itchy skin/ears/feet, rubbing at the face and mouth, swelling around the face and mouth
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Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can My Dog Get An Infection/STD From Eating A Condom?

Fortunately, dogs are not susceptible to any human strains of sexually transmitted diseases. This includes HIV, herpesvirus, and gonorrhea.

Should I Make My Dog Throw Up?

No. Unless specifically directed to do so by a veterinarian, do not make your dog throw up. Depending on the method used and the item/material/toxin ingested, inducing vomiting can make things worse, so never attempt to do this without first contacting your vet.

What About Colorful or Glow-in-the-Dark Condoms?

Because the dyes and chemicals used in some of the more ‘fun’ condom varieties are designed to be used on and in human bodies, they are generally based on safe substances. However, even some humans are allergic to certain dyes, chemicals, and latex, so it is still important to closely monitor your dog for any adverse reactions.

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Final Thoughts

If your dog is in the bad books for eating a condom, the good news is that they will most likely be just fine. However, you will need to keep a close eye on them for the next couple of days to be sure.

If they have eaten more than 1 or 2, you need to contact your vet, and if they are making a habit out of eating your condoms, or any other non-food items, you should make an appointment so your vet can get to the bottom of this problematic behavior.

Dogs that go bin-diving for used condoms are not doing anything weird or sexual; they will simply be curious about the taste and smell, so make sure you discard your used prophylactic in a bin with a lid!

Watch out for signs of allergy, obstruction, or gastrointestinal distress, but hopefully, this little misadventure will go down as just an embarrassing story rather than an emergency trip to the vet.

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Featured Image Credit: Elena Verba, Shutterstock

The post My Dog Ate A Condom: Our Vet Explains What To Do Next appeared first on PangoVet.

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Sundowners in Dogs: Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment & Care (Vet Answer)

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What Is Sundowners?
Sundowners vs. Alzheimer’s
Signs
Diagnosis
Treatment
Care Guide

Every positive has a negative, and sadly, the privilege of living a long life comes with the downsides of getting old, and as age increases, so too do the chances of suffering some form of degenerative disease like dementia. Sometimes referred to as “Sundowners”, this sad and often debilitating condition affects 1 in 15 humans over the age of 75 years, and it is one of the most common reasons for euthanasia in elderly dogs.

So, what exactly is Sundowners? Can it be prevented? And, how do we look after dogs that are affected by it? Keep on reading for the answers and advice you seek.

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What Is Sundowners?

For those unfamiliar with the term, Sundowners is a deceptively cheerful term to describe the deterioration and degeneration of brain function known as dementia. The word comes from the tendency for the clinical signs of this condition to get worse in the evenings, as the sun goes down.

Senile dementia, more accurately called cognitive dysfunction (CCD), is seen in dogs as well as humans, but diagnosis is not entirely straightforward, as there are a number of health conditions that may mimic the signs. And because our dogs can’t tell us if they are feeling confused, disoriented, or forgetful, it is up to us to monitor their habits and behavior to look for signs that things are not quite right.

Another factor that makes canine dementia difficult to recognize is that the signs tend to appear quite gradually, and each dog will be affected, cope, and adjust differently. Most of the clinical signs of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) are behavioral, and people who are not familiar with your dog’s habits or personality may not even be aware that there is a problem, so it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your dog’s behavior and seek veterinary advice if things don’t seem right.

Is Sundowners the Same As Alzheimer’s?

No. Alzheimer’s Disease is fatal in humans, involving the accumulation of certain substances within the brain cells. It is one cause of dementia, but it also has other clinical signs and effects.1

One way of looking at it is that all Alzheimer’s patients have dementia, but not all dementia patients have Alzheimer’s. At present, there is no evidence that dogs can be affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

sick old dachshund dog lying on the floor
Image Credit: Renko Aleks, Shutterstock

What Are Signs of Sundowners?

The nature of dementia is very unpredictable, and different dogs will have different experiences. For some, the disease may be severe and progress rapidly, while for others, the signs will barely be noticeable. Most importantly, many of the signs of CCD can coincide with signs of other health conditions, so do not dismiss any changes in your dog’s habits or behavior as just ‘old age’.

Some of the more common changes and signs associated with CCD include:

  • pacing, panting, or seeming generally unsettled, particularly at night
  • soiling indoors
  • asking for food when they have recently been fed (of course, this can simply be the sign of a greedy dog, but if this is unusual for your dog, it can be a sign of confusion)
  • lethargy
  • hyperactivity
  • wanting to go out more/less often
  • irritability or aggression
  • changed interactions with other dogs or people
  • changes in sleeping patterns
  • disorientation, standing and staring into space

How Is Sundowners Diagnosed

There is no specific test for CCD, and diagnosis is based on a combination of taking a detailed owner history, physical examination, and laboratory tests to rule out other health conditions. If you think your dog could be suffering from dementia, it may be useful to start keeping a diary of the changes and signs that are concerning you. Additionally, there is a helpful assessment tool created by Dr Gary Landsberg, a leading authority in canine and feline cognitive dysfunction. It uses the acronym ‘DISHAA’ to help navigate the areas affected:

D – Disorientation

I – Social Interactions

S – Sleep/Awake Cycles

H – Housesoiling, Learning & Memory

A – Activity

A – Anxiety

It is important to schedule an appointment with your vet to talk about any of the changes you have noticed. If your dog’s signs are due to CCD, there are some things that can be done to help, and the earlier we start, the better.

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Image Credit: SeventyFour, Shutterstock

How Is Sundowners Treated?

Sadly, there is no cure for dementia, and it is likely that your dog’s condition will progress over time. There are a few medications and supplements that have been found to help slow the progression of deterioration, and even alleviate some of the current clinical signs.

Medication

Selegiline: Commonly used to help control the clinical signs of Parkinson’s Disease in humans, this drug has three main benefits for dogs with cognitive dysfunction.

  1. Increases dopamine levels in the brain, improving brain function and mood
  2. Reduces the amount of free radicals in the brain that can cause nerve damage
  3. Promotes the synthesis of new nerve growth factors, aiding repair

Propentofylline: Improves blood flow and circulation to and around the brain, leading to increased alertness and energy levels for dogs suffering cognitive dysfunction.

Nutritional Management

Studies have found that dogs fed a high-quality diet designed for their size and life stage are significantly less likely to suffer from CCD as they get older, indicating that getting the right balance of nutrients, as well as enhanced fatty acid and antioxidant levels, are essential for good health throughout your dog’s whole life.

Some ingredients to look out for in both your dog’s food and supplements include:

  • Arginine
  • Antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, and selenium
  • B vitamins
  • Fish oil containing DHA and EPA Omega-3 fatty acids
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Known collectively as the
“brain protection blend”
(BPB)

 

  • Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)
  • Phosphatidylserine
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Resveratrol,
  • L-carnitine
  • Alpha-lipoic acid
  • Coenzyme Q
  • Selenium

How Can I Help a Dog With Sundowners?

Apart from using the treatments discussed above, there are a few things you can do to help your dog get the most enjoyment out of their twilight years.

Here are just a few:
  • Stick to a routine as much as possible
  • Take them for regular vet checks to ensure they are receiving appropriate treatment for this, and any concurrent medical conditions—diseases like cancer, kidney disease, and arthritis become much more common as dogs get older, so it’s important to stay on top of their health care.
  • Avoid moving furniture around – rearranging the house can cause stress and confusion, and dogs with failing vision will rely on their memory to navigate the layout of your home.
  • Leave some lights on at night – most dogs over the age of 8 or 9 years develop nuclear sclerosis (aka lenticular sclerosis), a normal aging condition that increases the opacity of the lens, gradually reducing the amount of light that can reach the back of the eye. This can have a significant impact on your dog’s night vision, which can be very stressful for a dog that is used to being able to see well in the dark.
  • Check in with your dog regularly so they know where you are in the house
  • Be patient with them, and don’t get angry about toileting accidents—Let them out later in the evening, earlier in the morning, and possibly during the night if needed.
  • “Use it or lose it” as the saying goes, and keeping your dog’s mind active can help them stay mentally sharp. Dogs that aren’t able to be as physically active as they once were can still be challenged with puzzles, trips to new locations, and scent training/retrieving.
  • Perform ‘quality of life’ checks with your dog, and make sure that they are still getting plenty of enjoyment out of life. Sometimes the stress and anxiety caused by dementia can become overwhelming for our pets, and we need to be able to recognize if that happens. Dogs with advanced cognitive dysfunction will often ‘go through the motions’ of eating, drinking, etc, but are unable to manage anything beyond that, particularly if they are struggling with other health issues like arthritis. Dementia is a progressive condition, but not a fatal one. You may need to consider euthanasia for your canine companion if their quality of life becomes poor.

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Final Thoughts

We all want our dogs to live a long and happy life, but unfortunately, old age brings with it some unavoidable downsides. Canine cognitive dysfunction, also known as dementia or ‘Sundowners’ is one of the conditions we see in dogs as they get older, and it can be distressing to witness. There are a number of ways that the progress of this cruel disease can be slowed down, and things we can do to make our dog’s final years as happy, comfortable, and enjoyable as possible.

The earlier we start intervention for geriatric health conditions like dementia, the greater our chances of improving our dog’s quality of life, for as long as we can. If you have an older dog, talk to your vet about having a full health assessment so that you can make sure you are doing everything you can to make their retirement years great.

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Featured Image Credit: Przemek Iciak, Shutterstock

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