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This website is about: Ringworm, fungus, skin infections, fleas, ticks, flea treatment, cats, felines, cat, feline, ring worm, ringworm, ringworm treatment, Australian Tea Tree Oil, neurological impairment, and most of all the serious and tragic dangers of Australian Tea Tree Oil and/or Australian Tea Tree Oil Poisoning.
Ringworm in cats.
Australian Tea Tree Oil does kill the ringworm fungus on many different types of animals/mammals skin; however, Australian Tea Tree Oil is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO CATS.

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Specifically Australian Tea Tree Oil, also known as Melaleuca alternifolia, causes hypothermia and oftentimes death to cats.
Cats treated with Australian Tea Tree Oil for ringworm, other fungus problems, general skin problems, etc. develop hypothermia. Depending on the amount of Tea Tree Oil used and the sensitivity of the cat in question, this resulting hypothermia can be mild, moderate or severe. Cats who develop symptoms of hypothermia should recieve immediate emergency vet care.

Symptoms of hypothermia include, but are not limited to, various degrees of lethargy, excessive sleeping, coma, unresponsive behavior, loss of fine motor control, an appearance of neurological impairment, an appearance of being drunk (staggering, inability to walk normally, weaving on unsteady legs, while walking, falling down, flipping over backwards, collapsing, inability to stand up, etc.), seizures, slow heart rate, lowered blood pressure, shivering, etc. The symptoms any particular cat will experience after exposure to Australian Tea Tree Oil depends of the level or seriousness of the hypothermia that animal is suffering from.
In cases of feline hypothermia the last stage is oftentimes coma and death.

Australian Tea Tree Oil enters the cat's body directly through the skin as well as through licking (self-bathing and self-grooming)by the cat. Even cats who will not lick Australian Tea Tree Oil off of their bodies still become sick with hypothermia due to the amount of Australian Tea Tree Oil which is literally absorbed through the skin itself.
Sadly, MANY vets are not aware of the dangers of Australian Tea Tree Oil. I, for instance questioned two separate vets before learning this lesson the hard way, through the nightmare of facing Tea Tree Oil caused hypothermia in one of my beloved cats.
Of the vets I questioned, the first didn't even know what Tea Tree Oil was yet said that use of substances that work on humans was OK for cats.

The second (a highly respected specialist for exotics and cats only) seemed very familiar with Tea Tree Oil and stated that Australian Tea Tree Oil wouldn't do anything negative or positive for my cat. I pressed this specialist further and asked him once more and directly, "OK, but will it hurt my cat?" His answer was no it wouldn't cause any harm. I knew that this oil did actually impact fungus, so I tried it, just once, as all readers know by now, the result was disasterous.

MANY pet magazines and sales companies advertise Australian Tea Tree Oil products (shampoos, medications, skin cremes, etc.) for animals. It is frequently, commonly, stated that these products are safe for use on cats. Many pet owners purchase these products. It wasn't until my cat developed severe hypothermia that I was able, after much searching, to discover only one website that explained the link between Australian Tea Tree Oil and hypothermia in cats. This website told the story of an owner of three purebred Angora cats who purchased a Tea Tree Oil product, deemed safe for use on cats by both its maker and seller. All three of her cats developed hypothermia in varying degrees. Even with emergency hospital care one of her cats died.

Here is the quoted story of those Angora cats:"Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Oil Poisoning in three purebred cats. Bischoff K, Guale F Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 10, 208 (1998)"

"Three Angora cats treated with undiluted tea tree oil dermal route. O. got it from a pet catalog sold as flea treatment. Within 5 hours, the first cat was hypothermic and uncoordinated, alert but unable to stand. Later that day, cat 2 was admitted comatose with severe hypothermia and dehydration. Cat 3 was conscious, nervous, trembling, and ataxic. All the cats smelled of tea tree oil. Cat 3 spent one day being treated and cat 1 spent two days being treated in the hospital but then both went home. Cat 2 died on the third day."

"The article states: Tea tree oil contains 50-60% terpenes, toxicity is "similar to other essential oils such as eucalyptus oil." Toxicosis in humans has resulted from ingestion of 0.5 to 1 cc tea tree oil per kg of body weight. The 3 cats had about 20 ccs applied to them (each). Says cats may be more sensitive to this toxicosis than dogs, but that the tea tree oil toxicosis has been reported in humans, rats, dogs, and cats. Most patients have clinical signs of central nervous system depression. Dogs and cats with tea tree oil toxicosis will appear weak, obtunded, uncoordinated, ataxic, and usually have muscular tremors. Cats may exhibit signs of liver damage. Toxic components are fat soluble and rapidly absorbed via skin and GI tract. There is no antidote. Treatment involves general detoxification, supportive care, bathing with mild detergents, using activated charcoal if ingested."
The above paragraphs in white are quoted from: "Bischoff K, Guale F Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 10, 208 (1998)"
Fortunately, in my case, I was able to contact the Poison Control Center immediately after noticing unusual symptoms (some of which I have described on this site) and prior to conducting a time consuming Internet search and was informed that Tea Tree Oil causes hypothermia, coma and death in cats. Therefore, I was able to jump into action, warming the cat, immediately. Still cats suffering in this manner must receive emergency vet care at a quality hospital with staff who are aware of the link between Tea Tree Oil and hypothermia.

Hypothermia Defined:" Hypothermia is a lowering of the body's temperature. At a rectal temperature of less than 28 C (82 F), the ability to regain normal temperature is lost, but the animal will continue to survive if external heat is applied and the temperature returns to normal. It is important to observe and measure the vital signs: pulse, breathing, mental status and rectal temperature. To know the severity of hypothermia is valuable to decide the re-warming technique to be used for treatment. On the basis of body temperature, hypothermia can be classified as Mild (86 -89 F or 30 - 32 C), Moderate (71- 77 F or 22 -25 C) and Severe (32- 46.5 or 0 - 8 C). There are three rewarming techniques (Passive external, Active external, and Active internal) which should be used according to severity of hypothermia."
The above quoted definition of hypothermia comes from website address:http://www.hypothermia.org/animalhypo.htm. With this definition displayed, I must add that cats have a diffucult time surviving hypothermia -- perhaps more so than other animals.

Below is the entire text from website http://www.hypothermia.org/animalhypo.htm. I am displaying/quoting this text here (quoted sections in white print) hoping that this information may help a cat owner in need to better understand hypothermia in general without having to search the Internet and multiple websites in order to gather information which may be needed immediately. As this below text is quoted from website it is important to grant all credit to the author(s) of this highly informative website rather than granting credit my site. I still know too little about hypothermia. However, it is my intent to reach out to others in order to prevent further tragedy due to hypothermia and/or the use of Tea Tree Oil on cats.

"Hypothermia is a lowering of the body's temperature. At a rectal temperature of less than 28 C (82 F), the ability to regain normal temperature is lost, but the animal will continue to survive if external heat is applied and the temperature returns to normal. It is important to observe and measure the vital signs: pulse, breathing, mental status and rectal temperature. To know the severity of hypothermia is valuable to decide the re-warming technique to be used for treatment. On the basis of body temperature, hypothermia can be classified as Mild (86 -89 F or 30 - 32 C), Moderate (71- 77 F or 22 -25 C) and Severe (32- 46.5 or 0 - 8 C). There are three rewarming techniques (Passive external, Active external, and Active internal) which should be used according to severity of hypothermia.

Due to limited literature in veterinary science, the authors have obtained relevant information from the medical field on human hypothermia. The information presented in this article has been obtained from various sources (see references). In our views, this information is likely to be a valuable in treating hypothermic animals, however, we advise practitioners to use this knowledge along with their experience in dealing with hypothermic patients.

Hypothermia is a lowering of the body's temperature. When the skin or blood is cooled enough to lower the body temperature in non-hibernating animals, the metabolic and physiological processes slow down. In the hypothermic state, the oxygen need of cells, particularly neurons is greatly reduced, and the circulation can be stopped for relatively long periods. At a rectal temperature of less than 28 C (82 F), the ability to regain normal temperature is lost, but animal will continue to survive if external heat is applied and the temperature returns to normal. Hypothermia is a condition of general body cooling in contrast to frostbite, which is localized.

A fall in body temperature can be due to accidental exposure to external cold, effect of drugs, or failure of internal temperature regulating mechanisms.

The simplest way to determine whether the patient is hypothermic or not, is to assess body temperature by placing a bare hand against the skin (preferably in axilla or groin region) of the patient. If the skin feels warm, hypothermia is unlikely. Patients with cold skin should have rectal temperatures taken with a low reading thermometer.

What to expect in a hypothermic animal?
As the body core temperature drops, more body systems suffer from the effects of cold. The signs and symptoms can assess the presence and severity of hypothermia. In the cold patient, a rectal temperature is one of the most important signs and is useful for assessing and treating hypothermia, however there is a tremendous variability in physiological responses at specific temperatures among individuals and species.

Once it is established that an animal is hypothermic it is important to observe and measure the following most important signs: pulse (slow to none); breathing (slow to none); mental status (responsive to unconsciousness); cold skin; low rectal temperature.

Severally hypothermic animals may have other problems, which are not easily detected. e.g. change in blood chemistry; irregular heart beat; dehydration; difference in temperature between deep body tissues and superficial body tissues.

Classification on the basis of severity

On the basis of body temperature, hypothermia can be classified as Mild (86 -89 F or 30 - 32 C), Moderate (71- 77 F or 22 -25 C) and Severe (32- 46.5 or 0 - 8 C).

Management of a hypothermic animal
The primary goals in the treatment and handling of a hypothermic animal are: keep the animal alive by warming, avoid any further exposure to cold, and then transport the animal to a site of complete veterinary care.

In order to treat the hypothermic animal appropriately, one should first know that the animal is in fact hypothermic. If so, then the severity of hypothermia e.g. mild, moderate or severe. Once this is determined, one has to decide the re-warming technique to be used for treatment.

Examination of hypothermic animal
To examine a hypothermic animal, one should proceed as follows:

1. Attention to ABCD: A. Airway; B. Breathing; C. Circulation; D. Degrees. One should make sure that the animal has an open airway, is breathing, and has a heart beat and assess rectal temperature.

2. Brief history (e.g. duration of exposure, regarding circumstances in which animal found etc.).

3. Brief physical examination including a) feel of body temperature. b) level of consciousness and neurological examination. c) cardio-pulmonary examination. d) associated trauma e) weight of animal. Depending upon the availability of staff and equipment, chest x-ray, urinalysis, complete blood work, and arterial blood gases are also recommended.

If there is a high probability that the animal is severely hypothermic, breathing and heart rate may be slow, shallow and very hard to detect, therefore, take a full minute or more to measure these vital signs.

Hypothermic patients with any measurable pulse or respiration obviously do not require Cardio - pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). However, if both pulse/heart beat and respiration are absent then commence CPR.

Evaluate the animal's level of consciousness, size of pupil, ability to respond if conscious and ability to walk. When any of these characteristics are abnormal, suspect severe hypothermia and treat accordingly. While treating the hypothermic animal, also check the animal for other possible injuries. The best chances of recovery are as a result of early diagnosis and treatment.

In accidental hypothermia, the animal should be brought into a heated environment and allowed to warm slowly to its normal temperature. Rewarming and maintenance of normal body temperature can be accomplished externally or internally (see Rewarming techniques). Neonates not only require rewarming but careful attention to nutrition should also be given.

Mild hypothermia: Prevent further heat loss, insulate from the ground, protect from the wind, cover the head and neck, and move the animal to a warm environment. Rewarming through the application of insulated heat packs to high heat loss areas such as head, neck, between legs, side of chest wall to prevent heat loss. Consider warm showers and warm bath, if the patient is alert (see passive external and active external rewarming techniques)

Moderate hypothermia: Keep the patient warm e.g. warm bottles, blankets, immerse patient in tub of warm water. Continue rewarming efforts until animal's core temperature is restored to normal (see active external rewarming methods).

Severe hypothermia: Animal in severe hypothermic state, can erroneously thought to be dead as no pulse, no heart rate, and no respiration is apparent. It is wise to follow the same criteria as in human medicine which suggests " the hypothermic patient is not dead until the patient is warm and dead."

Animals with severe hypothermia should be treated by putting heat directly into the core areas (see active rewarming methods). If the heart beat and respiration is not detectable after checking for up to 1 minute then commence CPR: Mouth to mouth or mouth to mask breathing during CPR is best because this provides warm, humidified air or oxygen. One can also use an apparatus to ventilate the animal with 100% heated, humidified air or oxygen. Reassess the animal's physical status periodically while performing CPR. CPR is less likely to have a significant effect on the survival of a hypothermic animal, if

a) The animal has been under the water for more than 1 hour.
b) The animal with a core temperature below 60 F (15.5 C).
c) The animal is frozen e.g. ice formation in the airway.
d) The animal's chest wall is so stiff that compression is impossible
Treatment that stimulates peripheral circulation (i.e. wrapping in a blanket, massaging extremities etc.) must be avoided in cases of severe hypothermia. These activities will likely increase flow of cold blood from the periphery (muscle pumping) which can cause after drop, increasing the depth of hypothermia in critical core tissues, especially the heart. Stimulating the peripheral circulation also reduces the blood volume in the body core, causing rewarming shock, which increases the workload on the heart. The blood returning from the periphery can also include metabolic waste products that can cause a fatal heart arrhythmia.

Rewarming techniques
There are three classes of rewarming techniques:

1. Passive external: The animal's own metabolic processes continue to produce heat spontaneously so no external heat is required. Shivering is an example of thermogenesis. This is simplest and slowest rewarming method but is sufficient for mild hypothermic patients.

2. Active external: This system includes warm water baths, hot water bottles, blankets, heating pads, radiant heaters. This method of rewarming is safe only for mild hypothermia because externally applied heat stimulates peripheral circulation.

3. Active internal: These rewarming methods are usually more complex and need to be carried out by professionals (Veterinarians/Animal health technicians). These include inhalation rewarming (ventilation of patient with heated, humidified air or oxygen), circulation of heated fluids (40.5 - 43.5 C) in body cavities (gastric, thoracic and peritoneal lavage), and heated intra venous solutions preferably dextrose as this provides energy to meet increased metabolic demands (contribute little heat due to vasoconstriction in cold extremities). Inhalation rewarming is the only method, which can be used by a layman and does not require much training (mouth to mouth breathing).
Inhalation of warm-saturated air delivers heat directly to the lungs and heart. The brain is also warmed from this blood flow and from conductive heat flow from the respiratory and nasal cavities. This method also assists in re-hydration as an added benefit.

Precautions while treating hypothermic animals

1. Be cautious about assuming that animal can not be resuscitated. As in resuscitation, a positive attitude is important. The hypothermic animal may appear to be beyond help because of, skin and membrane colors, pupil dilatation and depressed vital signs.

2. Avoid direct application of hot objects or excessive pressure (e.g. uninsulated hot water bottles, tourniquets etc.). Ensure that items such as oxygen and fluids coming into contact with the animal are warmed.

3. Do not put severely hypothermic animal in a shower or bath.

4. Drug treatments are not useful in treating severe hypothermic animals since the cold heart will not respond as expected. If administered, drugs will not be metabolized normally by the liver and kidneys; instead these will accumulate in the body and become active as it warms.

5. Do not use Lactated Ringers because the hypothermic liver may not be able to metabolize the lactate normally.

6. Do not administer cold fluids.

Information Sources:
The Merck Veterinary Manual: A handbook of Diagnosis, Therapy, and Disease Prevention and Control for the veterinarian. Edited by Clarence M. Fraser. Published by Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, N.J., U.S.A.
Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice Edited by Stephen J. Birchard and Robert G. Sherding. Published by W.B. Saunders Company (1994).
Dhupa Nishi (1995). Hypothermia in Dogs and Cats. Compendium. CE Series: Emergency Medicine/Critical Care. Vol. 17. 61-68.
Alaskan Protocol: State of Alaska Cold injuries and Cold water near drowning Guidelines (Rev. 01/96).
http://hypothermia.org/protocol.htm
Hypothermia Prevention, Recognition and Treatment. Journal of the American medical Association. Vol. 268. (16), 1992.
http://hypothermia.org/jama.htm
Hypothermia 1: Hypothermia rescue response. Published by Robert Douwens (Internet) with permission from author CDR. DR A.M Steinman, USPHS.U.S. Coast Guard On Scene Magazine.
http://hypothermia.org/hypothermia1.htm
Hypothermia 2: Survey on Inhalation rewarming.
Published by Robert Douwens.
http://hypothermia.org/hypothermia2.htm
Hypothermia 3: Rescue.
Published by Robert Douwens.
http://hypothermia.org/hypothermia3.htm
Hypothermia information. Michael R. Schmehl..
http://cac.psu.edu/~jxm181/scouts/winter/hypothrm.html
Hypothermia -The Silent killer. Gary R, EMT-D.
http://cac.psu.edu/~jxm181/scouts/winter/hypsikil.html
Physical symptoms of Hypothermia. Smokey S.
http://cac.psu.edu/~jxm181/scouts/winter/physmhyp.html"

Additional quoted information from the website address:http://www.hypothermia.org/animalhypo.htm

"Treating Hypothermia: A life-saving skill

The growing popularity of outdoor recreation has resulted in greater demand for an effective on-site method for treating hypothermia. Other than for mild cases, the most effective and safest treatment for all levels of hypothermia is the addition of heat to the body core, rather than via the periphery.

The most important phase of treatment is the prevention of post-rescue collapse during the first 30 minutes following rescue, and during transportation to a medical facility.
Phases and treatment of hypothermia.

After-drop

A further cooling of core temperature occurs after the victim is removed from the cold environment. This after-drop is often responsible for post-rescue collapse.

Pre-hospital stabilization

Preventing respiratory heat loss and progressive cooling, of the heart through the tissues is essential. This cooling if not arrested, can lead to ventricular fibrillation of the heart. Patients who are unconscious, with a temperature below 30�C or 80�F, may not respond to defibrillation. Thermally stabilizing a patient with suitable equipment is necessary, both before transportation and enroute to the hospital to prevent additional cardiac complications.

Core rewarming

This is the most effective treatment for all cases of moderate to severe hypothermia, whether treatment occurs in the hospital or in the field.
Inhalation rewarming

As the only non-invasive hospital treatment suitable for active core rewarming in the field, inhalation rewarming donates heat directly to the head, neck, and thoracic core (the critical core) through inhalation of warm, water-saturated air at 43 - 45�C (107 - 122�F). This method also warms the hypothalemus, the temperature regulation center, the respiratory center, and the cardiac center at the base of the brainstem. In many cases, this rewarming of the central nervous system at the brainstem reverses the cold-induced depression of the respiratory centers and improves the level of consciousness.

Beside this strategic donation of heat, inhalation rewarming also eliminates . . Respiratory heat loss
This accounts for 10% to 30% of the body's heat loss. This is particularly important in rescue situations where the ambient air is cold (cooling of the core through respiration).

In summary, inhalation rewarming is highly effective in providing "basic life support" through thermally stabilizing the core and brainstem temperatures. It is safe for treatment for all levels of hypothermia, but is particularly important for severe cases, because insulating alone (blankets), does not prevent further cooling of the core.

The first half hour during rescue is the most critical phase of hypothermia management!

Avoid having the victim assist with their own rescue!

Muscular activity by the hypothermic victim pumps cold peripheral blood from the arms and legs into the central circulation causing the core temperature to drop even further. Gentle handling is critical! A cold heart is particular susceptible to ventricular fibrillation, and some victims may suffer fatal ventriculation when jolted about during initial handling or transportation.

" The inhalation rewarming method is now our first choice in the re-warming treatment of all stages of hypothermia in the wilderness environment. " ( Dr. Ian Taylor, Medical Adviser to the North Shore Rescue Team, Vancouver B.C.).

Sources:
1 Danzl, D. Accidental hypothermia. Emergency Medicine: Concepts in Clinical Practice. Rosen et al. Mosby Publishers.
2 Hayward, J.S. et al. Thermal and cardiovascular changes during three methods of resuscitation from mild hypothermia. Resuscitation 11:21-33.
3 Harnett, R.M. et al. A review of the literature concerning resuscitation from hypothermia, Aviation Space Environmental Medicine. Part I 54(5):425-434. Part II 54(6):487-495.
4 Danzl, D. et al Accidental hypothermia: Always a Danger. Patient Care 17 (19):116-151, and personal communication.
5 Morrison, J.B. et al. Influence of respiratory heat transfer on thermogenesis and heat storage after cold immersion. Clinical science 63:127-135.
6 Collis, M.L. et al. Accidental Hypothermia: A Study of Practical Rewarming Methods. Aviation Space Environmental Medicine. 48 (7) 625-632.
7 Hayward, J.S. et al. Accidental Hypothermia: An Experimental Study of Inhalation Rewarming. Aviation Space Environmental Medicine. 46(10):1236-1240, and personal communication.

Published by Robert Douwens."

 

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