What is Permethrin used for?

Permethrin is indicated for: Flea and tick prevention.

Which species have cited Permethrin dosing data?

Permethrin dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 1 species: Dog (Domestic).

Is Permethrin a controlled substance?

Permethrin is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Permethrin

US brand names:Vectra 3D, K9 Advantix

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Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Antiparasitic

Routes

Topical

Indications

Flea and tick prevention

Mechanism of Action

Disrupts sodium channel function in arthropod nervous system causing paralysis. Repellent and insecticidal activity.

Side effects & warnings

EXTREMELY TOXIC TO CATS — even small exposures can be fatal (tremors, seizures, death). Dogs only. Do not apply to dogs that co-habit with cats.

Species with Permethrin dosing data (1 dose rule)

Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 1 dose rule

Strong×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (1 of 1 cited rule)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 1 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	Topical	TOXIC TO CATS	q30 days	Strong	BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A — Dinotefuran (Vectra 3D), DOSES, printed p.129; and Imidacloprid (+permethrin, Advantix), DOSES, printed p.203. Corroborated by Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023), "Permethrin/Permethrin Combinations, Topical", printed p.1459.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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Backed by a published sourceShow

· BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A — Dinotefuran (Vectra 3D), DOSES, printed p.129; and Imidacloprid (+permethrin, Advantix), DOSES, printed p.203. Corroborated by Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023), "Permethrin/Permethrin Combinations, Topical", printed p.1459.

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Calculate Dosage for Permethrin