EXOTICS
Article reprinted with the permission of DMV360, October 2014, Veterinary Medicine
is a copyrighted publication of Advanstar. Communications inc. All rights reserved.
Fipronil Toxicosis
in Rabbits
By Laura A. Stern, DVM, ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center staff
ASPCA APCC
Exposure to these veterinary products can cause life-threatening signs.
Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide used to control
a variety of insects such as ants, beetles, cockroaches,
fleas, ticks and termites. It comes in a variety of formulations: topical, spray, dust and bait. This article focuses on the topical spot-on product labeled for use
in dogs and cats.
When this product initially debuted, published, extralabel dosing recommendations for fipronil were used
successfully in rabbits,1,2 but subsequently, extralabel
administration in rabbits has become contraindicated
due to toxicity concerns.2,3
Pharmacokinetics and metabolism
Dermal absorption of topically applied fipronil in rabbits is low at 0.07%. Oral absorption is higher at 30% to
50% of the ingested dose and is possible if the rabbit
licks the product off after topical application.4 Fipronil
is detected on the hair and superficial skin layers but
not in the dermis or hypoder