My cat accidentally got dog tick medicine. Is it toxic? What now?

Cats are exquisitely sensitive to flea treatments, so there is a potential this could cause problems in Monty. I would wash him off thoroughly with warm water and Dawn dish soap. Watch him for signs of toxicity which include excessive salivation, paw flicking, ear twitching, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, incoordination, and muscle tremors. If you see any of those, rush Monty into a vet immediately.

An immediate check up is needed. This kind of toxicity can lead to severe side effects and treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. That would include IV fluids, gastric decontamination and medication to decrease gastrointestinal absorption. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

There is a chance of toxicity with ingesting dish soap. Dish soap is listed as a non-ionic detergent, and you will see vomiting and diarrhea if she digests it. I recommend trying to get her to wash the rest off, and the monitor her. If she does starting vomiting and having diarrhea, you need to take her to your vet right away. Your vet will have to administer treatment, as inducing vomiting is not recommended because it will do more harm than good. Next time you wash your cat, I'd recommend a pet shampoo to do it.

If the solution you used was a dish soap (such as Dawn here in the US), she should be fine until you can get to her again. It may cause mild GI upset if she grooms it or mild skin irritation. If you notice redness, sores, or hives, then she may need to be seen by a veterinarian. Good luck!

Dawn dish soap is usually non-toxic, and may just cause some stomach upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. You can try giving a bland meal of boiled rice and chicken to help settle his upset stomach. However, if he continues vomiting, or his symptoms worsen (lethargy, refusal to eat, pale gums/tongue) then bringing him into your local vet or ER clinic may be best.

Etofenprox is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, and cats are quiet sensitive to pyrethroids. I do not recommend using pyrethroid medications to my clients due to the risk for toxicity. The dog product may have a higher concentration and be more likely to cause toxicity. Affected cats will have involuntary muscle tremors or seizure activity. You could bathe both cats with Dawn dish soap to remove any remaining topical medication and contact a veterinarian immediately if you see any signs. You could also call Animal Poison Control for more information (they do charge a fee for the service): https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

I would recommend sticking to the advice your vet gave you about holding off on bathing the cat. Some tick shampoos may not be safe for cats and may make the medication he prescribed ineffective. Sorry, I know it's frustrating but hopefully the problem will be under control very soon. Good luck!