Ataxia, depression, and dermatitis associated with the use of dichlorvos-impregnated collars in the laboratory cat

Ataxia and depression developed in 21 of 50 (42%) laboratory cats wearing flea collars impregnated with 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (dichlorvos or DDVP) in a warm dry environment. Five (10%) of the cats died. Whole blood cholinesterase (ChE) activity was significantly (P smaller than 0.001) reduced in all cats and cervical dermatitis occurred in 37 (74%) of them.