Potassium permanganate

Side effects & warnings

CONTRAINDICATIONS (BSAVA Part B p.259, verbatim): Do not use in sea water. Not recommended for use in aquaria since many species are sensitive to this chemical. SAFETY AND HANDLING (BSAVA Part B p.259, verbatim): Normal precautions may be observed. DRUG INTERACTIONS (BSAVA Part B p.259, verbatim): Do not use with formalin. ACTION (BSAVA Part B p.259, verbatim): Oxidization of organic matter. - Exotic Pets USE (BSAVA Part B p.259, verbatim): Treatment of external bacterial infections and ectoparasites in freshwater fish. Used to disinfect aquarium plants and kill algae. Best used as a separate 30-60 min bath treatment. Effective treatment in ponds requires 2 mg/l of active chemical to be maintained throughout the treatment period. The permanganate ion (pink colour in solution) reacts with organic matter and is reduced to inactive manganese dioxide (clear or light brown colour). If the colour change takes place within 12 hours, more potassium permanganate should be added in 2 mg/l increments with care until the light pink colour is restored. Toxic at high pH because manganese dioxide may precipitate on to the gills. Stains many materials. Used in birds for cautery of broken bleeding nails/talons. SOURCE: Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.259.