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April 2006
I used Adams Flea and Tick Shampoo on my 6 year old Catahoula on Saturday and the following day was the an absolute nightmare. She started walking around hunched over and her tail tucked to one side. I tried to get near her to check under her tail and she would squeal if I came within a few inches. The afternoon was filled with this hunched over scurrying type of walk. She'd look at me with these pleading eyes to make her feel better and they were killing me. Then the shivers and panting started. The dog who acts like she hasn't eaten in a week every dinner time, would not touch a dog treat, her dinner or water all day. I gave her a little children's liquid ibuprofen (now that she would take-she lapped it out of the cup herself-go figure) and she was feeling better in half an hour. She stopped shivering, panting and ate some wet dog food from my hand-but still no water. Today's Monday and she finally drank from a bowl I brought to her and she did go out and piddle (tail tucked) but immediately came back in and laid down. She has rolled to the side to have her belly rubbed-so I believe she's on the mend!
I have read some of the earlier communications but hadn't seen Adam's product listed. I wont use it again-that's for sure!
Mary/Texas 4/3/06
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I applied Frontline to my dog this morning when I came home for lunch at 2:40pm he was not interested in coming to the door. He sat a ways away from me while I had lunch and seemed to be out of it and shivering. I called Frontline and asked if it could be related, they said no. It's now 8pm and he has basically sat in the same spot with my husband and I taking turns petting him and consoling him because he is definitely not feeling well. When I came home he didn't even get off the ottoman, which is very unusual because he normally greets me and is very very excited because he knows it's close to dinner time. I am concerned about my dog please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Veronica 4.3/06
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It has been a relief yet a shock to find your website, as our border collie suffered 5 fits last summer/autumn, after a second bio spot treatment. Like you, we usually gave him the occasional frontline from the vet, but picked up a cheaper bio spot from the supermarket. The june treatment was ok but the august treatment led i believe to his fits. He has a heart murmur, and had never had a fit before, he was 13 then. Our vet immediately said don't give him it again, although i wasn't going to, having found your website.
Kade our dog pulled through, and hasn't had another fit, but the stress of it all i feel led to his heart going into atrial fibrillation, racing, in November. After 4 months of nursing him and getting his food right again, he has come out of it, and is doing well again.
I feel i need to contact someone in the uk about this product but am [not] sure of who, any advice would be welcomed. Meanwhile, thank you for putting your story on the web, it helped us feel we had identified the cause and feel a little less guilt about doing this to our boy.
Jill and Ian and Kade 4/10/06
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I was just considering the purchase of this product because after a job downsizing, it seemed a good economic decision. I had to consider the effects not only on my dog, but my cat too - he lives in the same home and could suffer ill effects just from proximity to the dog. I have used Frontline for years and it has always been effective without any *seeming* harm to my pets. My vet explained that many "over the counter" flea meds may be effective, but that the chemicals may be harmful over the long term. He said they can tend to damage the animal's liver over time because they exit the body that way. So though Frontline will cost me more, it may have saved me LOTS more than expensive vet visits and tests from using a different product.
Thank you.
ccr 4/14/06
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My wife and I bought Bio Spot flea control for our two cavalier king charles boys on Saturday. We administered to both Riley and Murphy on Saturday. Today, Sunday, my wife and I noticed Riley was acting strange. He has been very lethargic and not acting himself. After we found your website we immediately washed both our boys to get the poison off of them. I hope and pray my precious Riley and Murphy will be OK. We will be going to the vet in the morning. I will write another message after we have seen the vet. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT.
Scott and Lisa 4/16/06
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I have a miniature dachshund who had a neurological reaction to Biospot application yesterday. I applied it about 8am and by 1pm he was falling over, shaking and walking like he was drunk.
I called the company and was told to bath the dog and force fluids. They informed me that I should take him to the vet if he was not drinking or acting like he was going to have a seizure. We were able to treat him at home at by bedtime he was almost normal. Today he seems fine except for some "ticking of his ear". I just hope that he does not have any residual damage.
I will not be using any of these types of flea control in the future. Thank you for your concern.
Patricia 4/21/06
Forsyth, MT
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My cat is a Flame tip Himalayan big fluffy white cat - he is about 9 yrs old. My husband and I have owned him together longer than we have been married. Well a friend of mine used Bio-Spot - said it worked great and it was less expensive. So we figured we would try it. BIG MISTAKE!!! We put B. S. (ironic initials) on Angel. He always runs and hides after his flea treatment so we thought nothing of it until I was sitting on my couch and felt something thumping underneath. Then I saw one of the kid's toys come flying out from beneath so I look and I find Angel twitching all over, mouth foaming and he's just pathetic. I called the vet. He said bathe him well with mild soap and bring him in immediately. I go, they take him as soon as I walk in and the first 2 questions he asked was "Hartz or Bio-Spot?" I was shocked when he told me he sees it all the time. It's common but they won't take the stuff off the shelves. So Angel is fine now. He had to stay over night with constant fluids to flush it all out. The only thing they got right was the name Bio-Spot = B. S. Any tips on getting Farnam to refund my vet bills? Would be great, let me know. From what I have read I may need it for future vet bills.
Upset pet owner,
Vicky 4/22/06
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We gave all four of our dogs Bio Spot seemingly without problem at first. But one of our female collie started having seizures. We did blood work and all came out negative for any kind of hormonal/chemical imbalance. The vet said it was just one of those thing having a pure bred dog. And then a few weeks after, I have noticed that there has been SERIOUS fur loss to another one of our female collies. I don't think it's a coincidence seeing that neither of these dogs had ever had a seizure, and the female who lost all the fur has been the one with the thickest undercoat of all. She didn't give birth and the spring season hadn't quite come in full effect to cause the great loss of top coat and undercoat. However, our male and 5 month old female collie didn't seem to have any reaction. I should have known better because they pulled Bio Spot for cats at the local feed store due to DEATHS and SEIZURES to cats. I will gladly pay more for Frontline and Advantage. So far I have had no issue with either with years of use. One time trying to save a dollar, and it ended up costing me more in vet bills and risking my pets' health.
Shano 4/23/06
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My Cane Corso has been on Frontline since he was a baby pup. He is 9 mos now and he had an engorged deertick on his head that I thought was a skin tag. Then my pitbull who is 8 yrs and has always been on Frontline has full blown Lyme disease. I am angered that a company claims that their product works when it obviously does not. Just wanted to let your site know.
Patti 4/23/06
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I also recently found bio spot, and used it on my dogs. (which I no longer do) I also bought the cat bio spot. Although I had no bad reaction with my dogs, one of my cays Belle had two grand mal seizures a couple hours after I applied the bio spot. Thankfully she made it, and I have a great vet who came in after hours to help me. I was really upset because in Pet Smart and Petco they compare this product to frontline, advantage, and advantix. They do not tell you it is way more powerful than these medicines and much more harmful. Are you starting any thing to get this mass produced item off the shelves so it does not hurt any more animals? If so I would like to be involved. Thanks again and I'm glad your dog made it.
Heather 4/24/06
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THANK GOD FOR YOUR SITE.
A year ago I gave my sheltie a bio spot treatment one time. Within 2 weeks she lost all of her hair and massive skin irritations all over her back. I have bathed her several times it's only gotten worse. The vet keeps saying it's her thyroid but it all came on after using bio spot. Do you or anyone out there have any suggestions on what i might do to rid her of this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Sassy's mom 4/24/06
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My wife and I live in Connecticut and recently had a terrible experience as a result of using Bio Spot tick and flea treatment on our 6 month old 5 1/2 lb. Shit tzu puppy. I read your Bio Spot consumer alert and believe the information contained saved the puppy's life.
On April 22 we had our dog groomed by a person we have used for several years. My wife asked the groomer to apply a tick and flea treatment to the dog. My wife informed the groomer she was not satisfied with Frontline, a product we had been using for years on our other dogs. The groomer told my wife she uses only Bio Spot which is a wonderful product. I do not believe the groomer researched this product nor was she aware of it's potential adverse effects.
Several hours after bringing the dog home she began to cry and jump uncontrollably. I thought she was reacting to her hair being clipped and cut. As time went on her crying became more intense and she was clearly in distress. I decided to investigate the new tick and flea product on the internet. I came across your consumer alert and became more horrified as I read the article. I immediately followed your advise and began drenching the area with dog soap and water. The dog became more agitated as time passed and we thought it best to find an emergency vet in the area. We were fortunate to find an all night vet in Danbury which is not that far from our home. We explained to the vet that the dog had received a Bio Spot treatment several hours earlier. The vet asked if the groomer used this product without our permission and were we aware of it's dangers. I informed the vet that we gave the groomer permission not knowing or being informed of the dangers involved. The vet told us applying the soap and water probably saved the dog from suffering serious consequences (thank you again). The dog was given a steroid shot and we took her home. During the night the dog was still in pain and distress.
On Tuesday, April 25th we took the dog to her regular vet who after examining the puppy found her to have a fever of 105 and a 2 x 2 inch lesion in the applied area. The vet shaved the puppy applied an antibiotic salve and fitted her with a lamp shade on her head and a sock on her paw. The vet told us never to use Bio Spot on any animal I hope other pet owners become aware of the dangers of Bio Spot.
Thank you again for your enlightening article.
Bob 2/25/06
Bridgewater, Ct.
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Our dog suffered a seizure after we treated her with Hartz Flea and Tick.
Ray 4/25/06
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Our dog Lucy had a reaction to Bio Spot, too. Shortly after application, she began scratching her neck and shaking her head. She would not eat or drink. We took her swimming to reduce the effect but she continued to be in discomfort. The second day we took her to the vet who stated that he could not tell the cause but to take her home and wash her in a mild soap. Hope it works -- Dave is home washing her now.
Martha 4/27/06
I will report it to EPA. See the below e-mail from Farnam. I was surprised how quickly and sympathetically they responded. I am sending in a formal claim for reimbursement as instructed.
Thanks again -- Lucy is definitely feeling better after her bath.
Martha
Dear Ms. XXXXXX ,
We are sorry to hear that your dog had an allergic reaction to the Bio Spot Flea and Tick Control for Dogs. It is suggested that you bathe your dog completely and thoroughly, using a detergent such as dish soap. Bio Spot is an oil based product. Typically, 24 hours from the time of the bath (with detergent), symptoms should be gone. If not, your veterinarian should treat this as an allergic reaction and give Lucy appropriate symptomatic care. Meaning, whatever symptom she is having, should be given medication for that symptom. An antihistamine should help rid the itching. If there is more severe skin damage, steroids and or antibiotics can be given. Although there is no "antidote" for permethrin reactions, symptomatic care works best.
Please mail the following information to Farnam Companies, at the address below. (1) a copy of your "itemized" veterinarian bill(s), (2) a copy of the chart notes for visits related to this treatment and (3) a copy of your store receipt for the Bio Spot or the package and remaining tubes. We will file a complete report on what has occurred and will open a claim review for possible reimbursement of your veterinarian bills.
Again, we are very sorry for what has occurred and do appreciate you taking the time to report this to Farnam Companies.
Sincerely,
Sherri Pike
Technical Affairs Manager
Farnam Companies, Inc.
P.O. Box 34820
Phoenix, AZ 85067
I must say that I am very impressed with Farnam's response. Unlike the response that people often get from other manufacturers of flea and tick products, Farnam is acting very responsibly here and I applaud them for doing so.
James TerBush
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I just lost my second Irish Wolfhound in 6 months to lymphoma. Both dogs were young (5 and 4), strong and healthy. There is supposedly no cancer in the bloodlines. I use Interceptor for heartworm and Frontline Plus for flea prevention. On a whim I googled lymphoma and Frontline (also lymphoma and Interceptor) and arrived at your site. There were no seizures or any adverse reactions observed. I watch carefully because of the collies' drug sensitivities--we also have collies. Could the lymphoma have been caused or triggered the lymphoma? Siblings and parents of the hounds are alive and well--they do NOT use these preventatives. I thought the first lymphoma was a random occurrence, but this second has me wondering. No problems in the collies, who are why we use non-ivermectin products. Please let me know if it could possibly be either or both products.
Mary 4/29/06
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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.
