Lufenuron is a veterinarian-prescribed medication indicated to treat and prevent flea infestations in cats and dogs. This medication is typically administered orally as a tablet or liquid once per month, or as advised by a veterinarian. A pet owner may also administer this medication to cats by an injection once every six months. Pet owners should be aware of lufenuron side effects before treating their dog or cat with this medication.
Upset Stomach
Treatment with lufenuron can cause upset stomach side effects in both cats and dogs. These upset stomach symptoms include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, PetEducation.com reports. Affected pets may need to go outside or use the litter box more frequently than usual. A pet owner may also notice that her cat or dog is uninterested in eating at mealtime due to a temporary decrease in appetite. Upset stomach side effects in cats and dogs typically subside within a few hours or days following lufenuron treatment. Pets that experience persistent or severe upset stomach side effects should be taken by their owners to a veterinarian for further evaluation and care.
Fatigue or Lethargy
Lufenuron can cause increased fatigue or lethargy in treated cats and dogs, PetPlace.com warns. A pet that receives this medication may appear unusually tired or may not be interested in playing with his favorite toy. He may sleep for long periods of time after taking this medication or may tire more easily than usual during physical activities. These side effects diminish shortly after treatment with lufenuron.
Injection Site Reaction
Cats that receive this medication by injection can develop a reaction at the injection site. The potential side effects associated with an injection of lufenuron include pain at the time of injection and unusual lumps beneath the surface of the skin at the injection site, according to Novartis, the pharmaceutical distributor of this form of lufenuron. A pet owner may notice that his cat appears cranky or withdrawn after receiving this injection. In addition, a treated cat may frequently lick at the injection site in an attempt to alleviate uncomfortable injection site side effects. Injection site discomfort progressively resolves within a day or two following treatment. This form of lufenuron should not be used to treat dogs due to the potential of a severe local reaction that cats do not experience.
Allergic Reaction
Infrequently, hypersensitive dogs or cats can experience an allergic reaction shortly after treatment with lufenuron. This side effect of lufenuron can be life-threatening and requires immediate, emergency veterinarian intervention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction in pets can include excessive drooling, facial swelling, vomiting, wheezing or persistent scratching of the skin.
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