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April 2005
On Tuesday we applied Bio Spot for Cats on our 4 adult cats. Three of the 4 seem to be okay but Cordelia our most dog-like cat started acting lethargic on Wednesday...by that evening we were worried enough and gave her a bath. Thursday morning we took her to the vet. They ran a bunch of blood test which all came back fine. The vet said it is probably a reaction to the flea treatment. She is thankfully still eating, but we are force feeding her water from a eye dropper and watching her carefully-today her legs seem wobbly and she seems drunk. After reading all your posts I had to write. I'm hoping that she is going to recover. I'm a nervous wreck-if anyone has any recommendations on what we should do next please let me know. I'm giving all 4 of them baths with dawn dish soap as soon as my boyfriend gets home. Keep your fingers crossed for my baby. I will be contacting Drs Foster & Smith (where I bought the product-because they recommended it as a good alternative to higher priced treatments), the Farnam people and the EPA-thanks for the contact info.
Carrie 4/9/05
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to whom this may be of interest i had same experiences with bio spot [for cats] only on a cat he would not have lived if he wasn't seen by my vet.
Sue 4/13/05
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I was very close to purchasing Bio Spot due to its lower cost for my dog midnight (26lb 7 yr old black lab mix rescued from SPCA).
I decided to review comments online before switching from Frontline, his previous ointment, and I am thankful that I didn't use BS (and horrified that I did use FL).
My dog developed seizures ~ 2 years ago (~ 1 every 3 months). I have for the last 3 years applied Frontline every month for 3 months of the year (our summer) and now I am suspicious if this is the cause of his seizures?
I am an R&D chemist by trade and would like to share some info regarding these two products (Frontline & Bio Spot) and say they are quite different chemically, but their target appears to be the same.
Frontline
Fipronil =
5-amino-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethylsul
finyl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile.
TOXICOLOGICAL ISSUES
Fipronil is a member of a relatively new class of pesticide known asphenylpyrazoles. Fipronil disrupts normal nerve function by blocking gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels of neurons in the central nervous system. The GABA-receptor system is responsible for inhibition of normal neural activity (as it prevents excessive stimulation of the nerves). When the system's regular functions are blocked by fipronil, the result is neural excitation and death. Although fipronil is selectively toxic to insects, some of the toxicity of fipronil observed in mammals also appears to involve interference with the normal functioning of neuro-receptors. Atoxico logical assessment of fipronil and products containing fipronil conducted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 1996 found that fipronil has moderate acute toxicity and did not irritate the skin or eyes of rabbits or cause skin sensitization in guinea pigs. Two products containing fipronil were found to have caused slight skin irritation in rabbits, weak skin sensitization in guinea pigs and slight to moderate eye irritation in rabbits (Public Release Summary of the evaluation of fipronil in the products Regent 200SC Insecticide and Presto Mushroom Insecticide, APVMA 1995). The predominant adverse effects experienced by the pet owner may involve an immune-mediated response. This response is not reported to occur during the application of the products but following skin contact with the treated cat fur or dog hair. Products containing fipronil have also been associated with a number of animal deaths. Neurological signs preceded these deaths. Such cases often involved infestation with paralysis ticks. The toxicology of fipronil was reviewed by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) in 1997 with additional information published in 2000.
Bio Spot (mixture) Permethrin = 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid(3-phenoxyphenyl) methyl ester and Pyripoxyfen =2-[1-methyl-2(4-phenoxyphenoxy) ethoxyl] pyridine is water insoluble and appears relatively speaking not highly toxic or irritating (LD50 (lethaldose 50 percent kill) at its worse through the skin is ~ 2000 mg / kglethal dose 50 percent kill). Based on the EPA there is no risk (ok????...data please.). I will need to investigate further.
Pyripoxyfen (http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/1998/July/Day-06/p17729.htm) ii. Dogs. In the subchronic feeding study in dogs, the NOEL (no-observedeffect level) was 100 mg/kg/day and the LOEL (lowest oberved effectlevel) was 300 mg/kg/day. The effects were based on increased absolute and relative liver weight in males and hepatocellular hypertrophy in females. These findings were also observed at 1,000 mg/kg/day and may represent adaptive changes at both 300 mg/kg/day and the limit dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day. Also not significant if you do the calculations.
I would need to do further work on my own to answer the many questions which were raised as this search proceeded. However, all appear to effect nerve functions, the species and degree is what I question and therefore it appears that the reactions reported such as canine paralysis/death may be probable, however, I would need to invest the use of my companies regulatory department provided I am allowed to proceed to come to a reasonable conclusion. I will do my best to investigate this and will insure that any further info is complete and accurate.
Stephen 4/13/05
R&D Chemist
(work for a specialty chemical co. involving the lubrication of machines involved in metal formaton/deformation used in the automotive and aerospace industry).
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I too started using Bio-Spot on my 1 year old lab Rudy last June (2004) and he began to seizure. I took him to the vet and explained to them the only thing I did differently was use this flea control product on him. They did blood work and everything came back normal. My vet explained to me the danger of this product and advised me not to use it in the future. Of course I discontinued the use of this flea product but his seizures continued. It was one of the worst experiences I've ever seen a dog go through and to think that I jeopardized his life just to save a few dollars, it makes me sick every time I think about it. Although we discontinued the use he continued to seizure (I might mention that he had NEVER seized before using it) and as each month passed the seizures got worse. We lost Rudy on October 18, 2004 at 18 months old.
We've never been able to prove that the Bio-Spot was the root cause of his seizures but considering the fact that a couple days after applying the flea control was the first time he every had any signs or symptoms of seizing and consulting with our vet, I'm pretty convinced that this was the cause. PLEASE spend the extra money for a reputable flea control product that is recommended by your vet, your dog and/or cat deserve it and they depend on us to make the right choices for them. In the long run, you aren't saving a dime....just save a life.
I have two other labs and I'm wondering if there is a natural way to eliminate fleas...I've been told to put garlic in their food or give them a garlic supplement...any ideas? I do know one thing, before I give them ANYTHING I will consult my vet.
Barb 04/13/05
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I treated my 2 Chihuahuas with "Hartz Advance Care Flea & Tick Drops Plus+" and the next morning I woke up with severe swelling (face, especially eyes/eye lids, hands feet, etc) and felt achy and arthritic. Swelling faded over the next week. Woke up one night and could not walk or put any weight on my leg (totally weird), woke up to additional soreness but able to use my leg, swelling continued to gradually reduce until more than a week later. My "vacation" was over and I had to go back to work. Typing was painful because of residual swelling (seems to be between my knuckles) in my hands, still puffy almost 2 weeks after the treatment on my pups (who seem fine). Doctor ran some blood tests which came out okay. I think I am reacting to the flea treatment, tho. I cannot find information related to the main ingredient, phenothrin, in relation with any human reactions or allergies.
Anonymous 4/15/05
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Friday afternoon my husband applied Frontline to our 9 year old golden retriever. Yesterday, April 16th 2005, our dog suffered a seizure and died. There was nothing we could do. I am devastated by the loss of my dog and I am convinced it was caused by the application of frontline.
Anonymous 4/17/05
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In March we adopted a dog from Dogs and Cats forever. It is a Rat Terrier and is a lovely female six years old. Very healthily and had only one owner. We have used Bio Spot successfully for six or seven on our two 5# Yorkie's. We never had a problem. However, when we applied this to Patsy she immediately started walking through the house very fast (not running) for nine hours. I contacted her former owner and she informed me that she had used Advantix and the dog always reacted the same way. I went to my Vet and explained the situation to her and she said to use Advantage and gave me a mild tranquilizer to calm her down. The reaction was the same but lasted 13 hours. She seems fine now but now I have learned my lesson.
We live in FL and I need to know what to use as an alternative. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have to assist me in my research.
Suzy 4/17/05
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We treated our cats several weeks ago , with a "flea wipe" for each. Thought it was safe, we had used it over a month ago with no problems. However, our beloved and elderly "Kitty Mom" who was 18 years old this month, became gravely ill and died two days ago. I did not put two and two together until today, it appears she died from the application of the flea medicine. In small tiny print , that I failed to read on the box, it said, do not use on old or sick animals , (((I did not see that when I bought it. )))) The warning should have been Clear, and on the front of the package, not in small writing on the very bottom and back, where I could not read it!!
I am devastated, I loved my "girl" she was with me for most of my adult life, through everything. I feel terrible. Why are they able to sell products like this, claiming they are safe, and why is there not clear warning labels!!
Very Sad In Ca 4/18/05
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We applied Advantix to our Shihtzu two days ago. Within 20 minutes he was whipping his head around trying to bite the site. He began jumping around literally throwing himself on his back and squirming across the carpet trying to rub (scratch?) the site. I wiped all that I could off with a warm wash cloth. Ten minutes later he began panting excessively and drank a huge amount of water. We then washed him again with warm soapy water. For the rest of the night he continued to pace, jump around, bite at the area (between his shoulder blades per package instructions). He could not get comfortable. The next morning he finally calmed down and was able to sleep. Today he is back to normal but only because we were able to remove the medication rather quickly. I called my vet and he acts totally surprised. With all of the information I'm finding on your web site and others, how could he NOT know about these potential side effects? He said maybe there were still ticks on him and he felt them biting?!!! I'm furious at his ignorance. He's been our vet for years and through at least 20 dogs. We trusted him.
Susan 4/21/05
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On April 11th I open a package of Bio Spot for cats and ferrets and applied 2 drops on four of my six cats. With in 4 hours all of the cats were having tremors and I called the poison control and ask what should I do. Their reply is to give each of the cats a bath with a mild soap. My daughter and I did. However one of the cats "Greenie" started to have seizures. I called my vet and he told me that a lot of his clients had lost their animals due to the toxic levels of Bio Spot. He advised me to take her to the emergency hospital. I explained that I am on a fixed income and I could not afford the emergency room visit and I asked him what does the emergency vets do and he explained they use an IV and some narcotics to get the animal to stop having seizures. I held Greenie down and applied one hand on her jaw and her head to keep her from biting her tongue. While i was holding her like this I felt the nerve agent moving through her Small body from her head down to her tail. Finally I gave her a narcotic (I am not going to mention what because some animals would not be able to tolerate this med.) I broke it in half and diluted it with one fourth cup water and gave her a tsp. At first I though I had killed her because she reared back and stopped breathing. I shook her a little and she came back .She stopped seizing for a bit and we gave her a bath. Each cat got at least 3 baths. However Greenie started to have more seizures and I gave her another dose and finally she calmed down, mine you she still had tremors. The next day my daughter was reading the package and the vials that were in the package and for some unknown reason the company had placed DOG VIALS IN THE CAT AND FERRET BOX this made me very upset and I called the company and they were more than happy to reimburse me for the vet bills and whatever I wanted....however after a week Greenie's skin started to split open and now I think it is time for an attorney. All of the cats are not the same as they were before and neither are we. I hope people read these devastations that each and every one of has had to endure before applying a flea product on their animals.
Tori a single mother in Texas 4/28/05
Pet Lovers
I, and I am sure many others out there .....We are trying to find anyone who has done a class action against FARNAM'S BIO SPOT, and if you have please contact me at: walkscrooked@yahoo.com . Thank you for posting this.
Tori 5/2/05
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DISCLAIMER: Below are messages that I have received from others whose dogs and cats experienced adverse reactions after using flea control products. I have no way of knowing if the information in these messages is factual, or if the products they used were the actual cause of the adverse reactions.
