Someone posted here advising the use of Sevin (the insecticide, also known
as carbaryl) on ferrets (or their bedding) as a pest repellent.  PLEASE
don't do that.  It's a house and garden insect killer, not a pet product.
"The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia") has the following listing for Sevin:
 
"A widely used insect poison that can harm humans if it is spilled directly
on the skin.  Besides irritating the skin, it may cause nausea, vomiting,
cramps, diarrhea, heavy sweating, drooling, shortness of breath, weakness,
loss of coordination, and slurred speech; large doses may cause coma and
death.  Carbaryl on the skin should be immediately washed off with water.
Poisoning requires the attention of a doctor".
 
You can find an MSDS (material safety data sheet) for Sevin at:
 
http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/msds/hazcom/173/36219.txt
 
It says:
 
Health Haz Acute And Chronic: CAUSES HEADACHES, NAUSEA, VOMITING,
SWEATING, ABDOMINAL CRAMPS, & PINPOINT PUPILS.
 
Emergency/First Aid Proc: SKIN: FLUSH WITH WATER.  ATROPINE IS AN ANTIDOTE.
INHALATION: REMOVE TO FRESH AIR.  INGESTION: INDUCE VOMITING AT ONCE.  GET
PHYSICIAN.  INHALATION: REMOVE FROM EXPOSURE, SHOWER, PUT ON CLEAN CLOTHES,
& TAKE TO A DOCTOR.  2-PAM MUST NOT BE USED.
 
Other Precautions: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.  HARMFUL IF INHALED OR
SWALLOWED.  AVOID BREATHING OF DUST/SPRAY.  DON'T TAKE INTERNALLY.  AVOID
CONTACT W/SKIN.  WASH HANDS & FACE BEFORE EATING.  WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER
HANDLING.
 
When Ed Lipinski suggested the use of Sevin on ferrets last year, I called
Ortho (Sevin's manufacturer - 1-800-225-2883), and asked them if Sevin 5
(or Sevin 10) can *ever* be directly applied to animals.  The answer was
*yes*, with the following notes:
 
1) Cats and dogs *only*.  It has not tested as safe for any other animals.
 
2) It's for *extremely* bad infestations of fleas and other pests.  The
woman I spoke with said, "Ma'am, frankly, this is a VERY strong
insecticide, and it is designed for your garden.  Unless other measures as
recommended by your veterinarian have failed, I'd recommend that you go to
your vet.  for a pest treatment.  There are many excellent pest treatments
that are designed for pets and tested on them that are currently
available".
 
3) You can use it only on *very* small areas of the cat/dog, where the
cat/dog cannot reach it.  Specifically, the Ortho rep. told me that it
could be used between the shoulder blades along the back (only where the
animal can't ingest it), and between the toes of the animal (also only
where the animal can't ingest it).  You cannot safely dust the entire
animal's body in Sevin or put it on their bedding where it could wind up
on their fur (and ingested), etc.
 
4) You can apply it no more frequently than once a week.
 
Also, I wanted to point out that Mycodex Pet Shampoo by Pfizer Animal
Health also contains carbaryl (the active ingredient in Sevin).  Mycodex,
however contains .5% (1/2 of a percent) of carbaryl.  Sevin 5 has *10*
times that concentration of carbaryl, at 5%, and Sevin 10 has *20* times
that concentration of carbaryl, at 10%.  It (Mycodex) is also available
only through veterinary clinics, practices and hospitals.
 
Ela Heyn
Harborside Mail Stop 3024
201-860-3336
[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2772]