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

Calculate dosage

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.

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.

Backed by a published source

· BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A — Dinotefuran (Vectra 3D), DOSES, printed p.129 (corpus PDF p.145); and Imidacloprid (+permethrin, Advantix), DOSES, printed p.203 (corpus PDF p.219). Corroborated by Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted), "Permethrin/Permethrin Combinations, Topical", printed p.1459 (corpus PDF p.1486). — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

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 (corpus PDF p.145); and Imidacloprid (+permethrin, Advantix), DOSES, printed p.203 (corpus PDF p.219). Corroborated by Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted), "Permethrin/Permethrin Combinations, Topical", printed p.1459 (corpus PDF p.1486). — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A — Canine and Feline — ISBN 9781910443705, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443705; Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

Upgrade for Full Details

Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.

View Plans