Deltamethrin: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antiparasitic

Also known as

Butox, Deltacin

Species with doses

Dogs, Cattle, Horses, Goats, Sheep and Buffalo

Routes

Topical

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Tick infestation (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, horses, camels, dogs)
• Mite infestation (sarcoptic / psoroptic mange)
• Lice (chewing and sucking)
• Fly control on livestock

Deltamethrin dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Dogs

• Ticks / fleas (caution; not for cats): Catalogue: 2 mL per litre water. NEVER let a treated dog groom a cat.

Cattle

• Ticks (whole-body spray / dip): Catalogue dilution: 2 mL Butox per litre water → spray / dip thoroughly. Milk withdrawal 0 d, meat 20 d.
• Mites: Catalogue dilution: 4 mL per litre water.
• Flies: Catalogue dilution: 2 mL per litre water.
• Lice: Catalogue dilution: 1 mL per litre water.

Horses

• Ticks / flies: Catalogue: 2 mL per litre water. Avoid muzzle / eyes.

Goats

• Ticks / mites / lice: Catalogue: 2 mL per litre for ticks; 4 mL per litre for mites.

Sheep

• Ticks / mites / lice: Catalogue: 2 mL per litre for ticks; 4 mL per litre for mites.

Buffalo

• Ticks / mites / lice / flies: Butox labels buffalo with cattle: ticks 2 mL/L, mites 4 mL/L, lice 1 mL/L water as whole-body spray/dip. A mainstay of buffalo tick control in India. Milk withdrawal 0 d, meat 20 d.

Camelids

• No reference dose for this species: The previous row simply assumed the cattle dilution (‘same dilution as cattle’). Neither Papich 5e nor Plumb’s gives a deltamethrin dose for camelids, and the label source used for this entry does not list them.

Contraindications

NEVER apply pyrethroids to cats — fatal neurotoxicity (tremors, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals' eyes / mucous membranes. Do NOT use near fish ponds or beehives — toxic to aquatic life and bees.

Species-specific warnings

Cats: CONTRAINDICATED — pyrethroid toxicity is FATAL in cats. Tremors, seizures, hyperthermia. Reversal: methocarbamol IV.

Cattle: Standard ectoparasiticide. Milk 0 d / meat 20 d withdrawal. Whole-body coverage required.

Dogs: Safe in dogs at 2 mL/L water as wash. Keep cats out of household 24 h post-application.

Adverse effects

• Skin irritation in sensitive animals
• Local hypersensitivity reactions (rare)
• Aquatic toxicity — wash-off should not enter waterways

Drug interactions

• Other pyrethroids (cypermethrin, permethrin): additive — DO NOT stack on the same animal
• Other ectoparasiticides (amitraz, fipronil): can be used sequentially but not simultaneously

Pregnancy and lactation

Safe in pregnant cattle / sheep / goat at recommended dilutions. Avoid eye / mucous-membrane contact.

Monitoring

• Withdrawal periods: milk 0 days, meat 20 days (cattle)
• Coverage of application — ensure entire body wet during spray / dip
• Re-treat at 7–14 days for tick / mite life cycle
• Monitor for cat exposure post-application — keep cats out of treated areas until dry

Toxicity and overdose

Cats: ABSOLUTELY contraindicated — pyrethroid toxicity (tremors, seizures, hyperthermia, death) — emergency reversal with methocarbamol IV. Concentrated solution is irritating to human skin — wear gloves and eye protection during dilution and application. Highly toxic to fish and bees — keep wash-off out of waterways and apiaries.

Clinical pearls

• Whole-herd tick control on cattle: 2 mL Butox per litre water in knapsack sprayer; cover all body areas including ears and tail-head
• Ear mites in goats: 4 mL per litre cotton-swab into ear canal, repeat at 10 days
• Mange in dogs: 2 mL per litre as full-body wash, lather, leave 5 min, rinse; avoid cats in the household for 24 h
• NEVER use on cats — pyrethroid toxicity is fatal
• Do not apply within 6 weeks of slaughter for cattle (20 d catalogue withdrawal but practitioners often use longer for safety margin)

Mechanism of action

Type II synthetic pyrethroid — binds voltage-gated sodium channels in arthropod axons, prolonging channel open-state → repetitive nerve firing → paralysis and death of the parasite. Knock-down within minutes; residual activity 7–14 days. Highly lipophilic — adheres to coat and skin, low systemic absorption in target species.

Formulations and products

• Butox VET 12.5 mg/mL external solution (MSD, 5–1000 mL container with cup)
• Butox VET (MSD Animal Health) — 12.5 mg/mL deltamethrin BP, External solution

Storage

Original container 15–30 °C, away from food, feed, water. Dispose of empty containers per local hazardous-waste regulations.

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

Other antiparasitics

• Clorsulon
• Closantel
• Cypermethrin
• Decoquinate
• Dichlorvos (DDVP)
• Diclazuril
• Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)
• Diminazene Diaceturate

Frequently asked questions