# Deltamethrin: veterinary dose and monograph > Deltamethrin is a veterinary antiparasitic. Synthetic pyrethroid ectoparasiticide — dilution-based application (not per-kg). Indications include tick infestation (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, horses, camels, dogs); mite infestation (sarcoptic / psoroptic mange); lice (chewing and sucking). This monograph lists 9 reference doses for dogs, cattle, horses, goats, sheep and buffalo, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals. Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/deltamethrin · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01 ## 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 *Deltamethrin doses for dogs* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ticks / fleas (caution; not for cats) | 2 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water | Topical | q7–14 d | — | - Ticks / fleas (caution; not for cats): Catalogue: 2 mL per litre water. NEVER let a treated dog groom a cat. ### Cattle *Deltamethrin doses for cattle* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ticks (whole-body spray / dip) | 2 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water, spray or dip | Topical | q7–14 d | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | | Mites | 4 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water | Topical | q7–14 d | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | | Flies | 2 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water | Topical | q7–14 d | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | | Lice | 1 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water | Topical | q7–14 d | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | - 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 *Deltamethrin doses for horses* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ticks / flies | 2 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water; avoid muzzle and eyes | Topical | q7–14 d | — | - Ticks / flies: Catalogue: 2 mL per litre water. Avoid muzzle / eyes. ### Goats *Deltamethrin doses for goats* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ticks / mites / lice | Ticks 2 mL/L; mites 4 mL/L water (1.25% concentrate) | Topical | q7–14 d | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | - Ticks / mites / lice: Catalogue: 2 mL per litre for ticks; 4 mL per litre for mites. ### Sheep *Deltamethrin doses for sheep* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ticks / mites / lice | Ticks 2 mL/L; mites 4 mL/L water (1.25% concentrate) | Topical | q7–14 d | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | - Ticks / mites / lice: Catalogue: 2 mL per litre for ticks; 4 mL per litre for mites. ### Buffalo *Deltamethrin doses for buffalo* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ticks / mites / lice / flies | Ticks 2 mL/L, mites 4 mL/L, lice 1 mL/L water (1.25% concentrate) | Topical | q7–14 d | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | - 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 *Deltamethrin doses for camelids* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | No reference dose for this species | Not established in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e — do not extrapolate from another species | — | — | — | - 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 > **Caution:** Cats: CONTRAINDICATED — pyrethroid toxicity is FATAL in cats. Tremors, seizures, hyperthermia. Reversal: methocarbamol IV. > **Caution:** Cattle: Standard ectoparasiticide. Milk 0 d / meat 20 d withdrawal. Whole-body coverage required. > **Caution:** 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 > **Caution:** 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](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/clorsulon) - [Closantel](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/closantel) - [Cypermethrin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cypermethrin) - [Decoquinate](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/decoquinate) - [Dichlorvos (DDVP)](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dichlorvos) - [Diclazuril](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/diclazuril) - [Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/diethylcarbamazine) - [Diminazene Diaceturate](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/diminazene) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the dose of Deltamethrin for dogs? Reference doses for Deltamethrin in dogs: 2 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water Topical q7–14 d (Ticks / fleas (caution; not for cats)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use. ### What is the dose of Deltamethrin for cattle? Reference doses for Deltamethrin in cattle: 2 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water, spray or dip Topical q7–14 d (Ticks (whole-body spray / dip)); 4 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water Topical q7–14 d (Mites); 2 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water Topical q7–14 d (Flies); 1 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water Topical q7–14 d (Lice). Confirm against the label and the patient before use. ### What is the dose of Deltamethrin for horses? Reference doses for Deltamethrin in horses: 2 mL of 1.25% concentrate per L water; avoid muzzle and eyes Topical q7–14 d (Ticks / flies). Confirm against the label and the patient before use. ### What is the withdrawal period for Deltamethrin? Cattle, Topical (Ticks (whole-body spray / dip)): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Cattle, Topical (Mites): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Cattle, Topical (Flies): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Cattle, Topical (Lice): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Goats, Topical (Ticks / mites / lice): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Sheep, Topical (Ticks / mites / lice): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; see the tables on this page for the remaining 1. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ. ### When should Deltamethrin not be used? 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. ### What are the side effects of Deltamethrin in animals? Skin irritation in sensitive animals; Local hypersensitivity reactions (rare); Aquatic toxicity — wash-off should not enter waterways. ## Sources - MSD Animal Health Blue Cross Book 31/2015 — Butox VET, p. 117 - Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook - Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition --- VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.