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April 2007
On Monday 3/26/07 after my daughter had given our rat terrier a bath I put Bio-Spot on him...these dogs are hyper dogs but within an hour after putting this stuff on he seemed to be more hyper..Tuesday morning at 4:00 am my husband woke me up and our terrier was having trouble walking on his right front leg and seemed to be in a daze..we bathed him and watched him all day.... by that afternoon his back leg on the right side was also effected..we took him to the vet, they ran test and kept him overnight...all the labs and x-rays came back normal..we picked him up from our vet on Wednesday and brought him home.. his whole right side was paralyzed...he did not eat or drink anything for 2 days...he is able to stand now and is eating and drinking but his right front paw buckles under when he walks and his back leg extends straight out most of the time even when he sleeps..we also have noticed his breathing is not quite right.. we are taking him in again tomorrow to the vet.
I am in the process of writing this company about this product and have relayed to numerous folks the effects of this product and possibly all of the products that pertain to flea and tick control of pets.
Thank you for this site and hopefully someday the people who make this stuff will wake up.
Ginger 4/2/07
Arkansas
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James - I have posted to your website before. I recently lost my Beagle and I truly believe K9 Advantix led to his demise. Since having to put him down in November I still check your website and follow the new messages being posted. It is so heart breaking to read the messages, old and new, where the pet's seizures led to a diagnosis of epilepsy and how many stopped having seizures as a result of stopping the monthly deadly dose. They come to the conclusion it is epilepsy when no other cause is found through testing, bloodwork, etc. It's time the vets at least put this flea and tick medication, as well as others, in their equation when trying to determine the cause of the disorder. It is so frustrating that this can continue to be sold without some very serious warnings on the product. I realize there are animals out there that will have little or no reaction but there are so many that do and, believe me, I can only say to those that think these products are good for their pets and have had no reaction to them and think that those of us who blame these products don't know what we are talking about, well you are one of the lucky ones!.
We were so lost and lonely after losing Hunter we just adopted a rescue beagle and so far he is doing well. We are going with the more natural products for fleas and ticks for this guy and will never again put any pesticides on another pet. I decided to post another message because it is so sad that your web site is just growing and growing with new messages every day from pet owners experiencing such sadness and my heart goes out to every one of them.
Donna 4/2/07
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Here is an old effective way to control fleas.
I ran across this when I was looking for a non chemical way to control fleas. (I GOT sick NEAR the old flea collars and was chemically intolerant to sprays and shampoos). So I went to the agriculture department and checked their files before 1946 to find this - the use of a flea light.
I suggested it to Judy B. who had tried lots of other methods and spent a lot of money but found this to be the most effective ;o)))
Try the safe soapy water and light bulb flea controller. Hang light bulb 1 foot above a low container (about a foot wide and 2-3 inches deep and with at least 1 inch of soapy water in it.) Just need a few drops of soap to break water tension on water surface.
It is moved around about 5 feet a day or have several and the fleas jump to the light (heat) and fall in the soapy water (very old method of getting rid of fleas)
Best places indoors is within 5 feet of where your pet sleeps and you sleep, rather they drown in the bowl than the dog getting bit.
Remember that fleas are not found in your driveway gravel or in the open. The larvae do not survive high temperatures. They are found in shaded areas, like under porches, decks, car ports, at the edges of woods, and especially in places where your pets lay down outdoors.
Works very well :o))) It was suggested on one of my lists that you put it in a wire crate to keep the other animals out of it.
Louise 4/11/07
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While I agree that Bio Spot is a dangerous chemical and ineffective pesticide that should not be used on pets the prescription products that are used on pets are very safe (if used according to instructions) and have been extensively studied in cats and dogs. The studies are VERY thorough, include hundreds of animals, and are tested at very high doses. This being said these products may not be ideal for everyone which is why they are prescription products. It is also important to keep in mind that there are FATAL diseases transmitted by fleas and ticks. Some of these diseases can be transmitted to people, for example the bubonic plague which is endemic to the South West United States. I would also like to point out that I have seen many toxicities from "natural" remedies such as chrysanthemum oil and garlic pills.
My bottom line is that fleas are more dangerous to you and your pet than prescription flea controls. I understand that some animals will experience adverse reactions but this is true for any treatment. If you must seek a natural remedy always consult your veterinarian first, just because something is natural does not mean it is safe.
I would also like to add that if you see an adverse response to a prescription product you should report it to the FDA not the EPA.
Jenny Bennett 4/11/07
Western University of Health Sceinces
College of Veterinary Medicine
DVM 2008
Thank you for taking the time to write. It's important for people to know that fleas and ticks can transmit diseases. It's also important for people to know that just because a product is natural does not mean that it is safe. However, I do not believe that prescription flea control products should be regarded as "very safe".
Most of these so-called prescription products (Advantage, K9-Advantix, Frontline, Frontline Plus) are available only through veterinarians as the result of a marketing strategy, not because of FDA regulation. In fact, the products I just mentioned are NOT regulated by the FDA. They are registered as pesticides (just like products used to control termites, cockroaches, and rodents) and are regulated only by the EPA. Here is a link to the FDA's website which explains which products are and are not regulated by them:
If someone decides to use a pesticide product to control fleas and ticks, regardless if it's purchased over -the-counter or from a vet, they should be made aware of the signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning, seek veterinary care immediately if they suspect that an adverse reaction has occurred, and report the incident to the manufacturer and the EPA.
James TerBush
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I used the Sergeants Gold Flea & Tick Squeeze-On for Dogs on 3 of my dogs on 4-8-07. Right after I applied the product, my youngest, Sasha (who is 2 years old), started scratching, crying, and running around like crazy. I immediately bathed her as it said on the package. I also bathed the other 2 (Gizmo, 5 years old & Lil Red, 6 years old) who were starting to show the same signs as the first. I called the emergency number on the package & got busy signals every time. As it was Easter Sunday, I couldn't find a vet close by. So, I got on the internet & found your site. From information I read, I did all that the other "Victims" had used on their pets to try & save them. I spent the next 10 hours trying to keep Sasha alive (She was having the most trouble, including breathing trouble), and keeping the other 2 comfortable. All 3 survived, thank goodness, and your website. After a few days, many oatmeal baths, Benedryl, and vitamin E oil later, Sasha & Lil Red are recovering nicely. Gizmo, the smallest of the 3, now has about a 2 or 3 inch sore on his back where the drops were first applied. I am sending you the pictures of him. I am hoping the antibiotics will heal this up soon. Meanwhile, I am doing everything I can to make it up to my 3 babies that I almost killed them trying to save money. But, thank you for your website, and thanks to others who told their story so that I could use that information to save these babies. And I hope that my story may save another pet lover from the same mistake that I made. And by the way, I used the formula for 9-20 pounds. Gizmo is 9.2 pounds, Sasha is 10.6 pounds, and Lil Red is 15 pounds.
Krystal 4/18/07
Just wanted to let you know that my 3 dogs, Sasha, Lil Red, & Gizmo are recovering very well. Sasha & Lil Red seem to have no lasting effects from the poison I put on them. Gizmo still has a wound on his back, but I have been giving him his antibiotics & using Vitamin E oil on the wound. It is healing better than expected. (Thanks to a story I found on your site about using it). I did contact Sergeants, and got a reply telling me about a reaction form they want me to fill out. And how "Very Rare Reactions Are In Using Their Products". Yeah,right. Rare would be if one out of three of my dogs had a reaction. Not all three. I also sent my information to the EPA. I am enclosing an updated picture of Gizmo's wound, taken 10 days after using the product on him. And one showing all three of my babies as they are today. Thank you again for your help.
Krystal 4/20/07
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I have a 114 lb Great Pyrenees that I put Frontline on for the second time one month ago. He has been anorexic and having diarrhea since then. He has lost 10 lbs in the past month. I have had him to the vet numerous times to no avail, on two courses of antibiotics and finally took him to the University of Florida for a workup. They were not able to find anything either. They offered to do abdominal surgery and take biopsies to further try to diagnose his problem, to the tune of $1800-$4500. I've already spent over $1400 in vet bills with NO answers, so I declined that. I didn't put it all together until I saw on the calendar that the Frontline was past due. The vet had been asking me if my dog had been exposed to any toxins, but I just kept saying "no". I didn't even think it might be the Frontline, since I had gotten it from my vet. I went on-line to see if anyone had reported a similar reaction to Frontline and found a whole list of things, many of them the same that my dog was experiencing. Needless to say, he will no longer be getting ANY flea products and I will hope this is part (or all) of the problem. I feel like I have been slowly killing my dog in order to keep him flea-free. People need to know what can possibly happen to their pets in the use of these things. I don't know for sure that Frontline caused this, but so far, everything else has been ruled out.
Pat 4/19/07
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I have been able to find no reviews or usage reports on a new product for fleas and ticks by Sergeant's. My wife and I have five cats and have stopped using Frontline as a result of reading posts on your site, however summer is approaching and I'm afraid that a real nightmare may soon be upon us!! The product in question is called Nature's Guardian and it is a squeeze on, monthly product. It's active ingredients are as follows:
Peppermint Oil......................................3.0%
Cinnamon Oil........................................4.5%
Lemon Grass Oil..................................4.5%
Clove Oil................................................5.0%
Thyme Oil..............................................5.0%
Other Ingredients:
Vanillin, Isopropyl Myristate...................78.0%
The product claims to be safe for use with pets and around children and is Vet tested. It does warn about getting the product in eyes or around the genital or anal areas. The product claims to kill and REPEL Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes with natural ingredients.
I have purchased the product but figured I'd wait until I could run this by an expert on the subject of flea meds. It would be wonderful if a product like this was safe and even somewhat effective. Thanks for any info you might have and keep up the good work.
Jim from Maine 4/20/07
Thank you for taking the time to write. I have not received any email in regards to Nature's Guardian, but several people have found my website by searching for information on it.
I have read that essential oils are extremely potent substances and should NOT be used on or around cats.
There are several links on my website that discuss ways to control fleas without using pesticides. I encourage everyone to read them, and only use a pesticide product as a last resort.
James TerBush
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Thanks so much for your Web site on Biospot. I just used it on my dog (an 8 pound pomeranian) yesterday and have had similar effects. While she hasn't had the grand mal seizures, she has complete numbness and pain in her back two legs .... I was in the emergency vet clinic with her last night trying to get her better. This stuff is so terrible, and I can't believe it's on the market! If something is so toxic to cats and can give humans cancer, why would I ever want to give it to my dog??
Keep up the good work, and thanks for spreading the word about this terrible product. I'm glad your dog is OK.
Crystal 4/23/07
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Above you can click on the link of other horror stories after people used K9 Advantix on their trusting little guys...how I wish I had read it before purchasing it for my baby, 6 1/2 lb. chihuahua, Billy!! I went to the vet on Monday 3/19/07, asking which of the flea medications would be best for Billy. I was convinced the K9 Advantix would be best, because it says right on the box that it's safe for dogs and puppies 7 weeks of age and older, weighing 10 lbs and under. Steve held Billy as I applied the tube to the back of his neck as instructed. The two people Billy trusts so deeply!! Well, the scratching slowed down, but on Thursday as Billy followed me to the kitchen, he was walking as if his front paw was caught in his collar. As I went to get a closer look, he growled at me and then stiffened up and his legs flailed from under him! I freaked!! He's never done anything like this before. With all of the 'poison in the dog food' nightmares, that was my first fear, but I knew he hadn't had any of those foods and that wasn't a known symptom. I ran to the living room to find his favorite toy, 'ducky' and squeaked it. Within a few minutes Billy came to me. I took him outside and he seemed pre-occupied and didn't listen or walk straight. I called my vet and remembered he wasn't in on Thursdays. I called the vet, recommended for emergencies, I told them about Billy's experience and that I had applied K9Advantix recently. They told me they don't carry that flea medication and couldn't help me!! They told me to call the number on the Advantix box! I reached 'David' a 'vet tech' for Bayer, the maker of this 'poison'!! After explaining to him what had happened, he tried to reassure me that if there was an allergic reaction, it would be a skin irritation where the tube was applied, not what had occurred. I hung up, but still knowing something was wrong, I called my baby's groomer. She told me to wash him in Dawn dish soap right away. I was too upset and asked if they could do it, they told me to bring him right in. Finally, someone who cared!! Brenda, the groomer at our Pet Authority, was awesome! She gave him a real good bath, I bought him a new collar, as not to have any of the chemical that was on his old collar touch him and we left for home. It's now Monday 3/26/07 and Billy just isn't himself. When he's sitting or standing, he sways and wobbles and reminds me of a human with Parkinson's. When he lifts his leg to pee, he loses his balance and has to regain it. He's not as trusting of me (go figure) anymore, and it tears my heart out! Last night I cried and cried, wanting my Billy back! I cried harder thinking how much worse it could've been had the groomer not come through for us! I have since gotten online and was stunned to learn of other horror stories involving K9 Advantix (above link) Today I have an appointment with our vet. I'll let him know the reason when we get there! I want him to see for himself what a product he's sells in his office can do! I called the Bayer company today, oh, they are in such denial and quite rude. They said my vet should contact them if he finds a problem, like I, the customer who is always 'wrong' , can't be trusted! They told me my vet would refund my money for the remaining 'poisonous' tubes. HA, we'll see! If Menu Foods can do a recall for bad dog food, then Bayer should do the same!! Today I saw the cute little yellow lab puppy 'singing~"ain't no fleas on me"' Kind of makes you think it's a safe product, huh?! Time to have that commercial removed from television!! I can't do it alone! Where do I start?! Sorry so lengthy...helps me deal with my anger~~and guilt!
Linda 4/24/07
PS It's now 4/24/07 and Billy is back to being himself!! He's no longer swaying or wobbling, he's intelligent and as fiesty as ever! I'm so thankful to the groomer for having the insite to bathe him so quickly! I still haven't found the perfect solution to the flea problem, but I'll continue to look (thank you for this site!)...I just know I won't believe that cute little singing puppy from the commercial!!
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I lost my collie in 1999 to an internal product for fleas, ticks and heartworm. It was given it to me by a vet. I had just adopted a new baby and wanted to protect her from fleas and ticks so I put my collie on it as the vet recommended it. Within 5 months I had to put her down. I took her to several vets and noone could do anything. The skin reaction didn't start until after the 2nd dose and by that time there was so much in her system that it couldn't be controlled. None of the vets would admit it was the product that had done it. It wasn't until a search of the web that I found it. She lost her hair and skin - the bleeding, pain, it was heartbreaking. To this day it makes me weep to think of it. I recently bought bio spot from a catalog because it was so much cheaper than the frontline my current vet assured me was safe for my new collie. (I've had her for 7 years and I've been using it this entire time because the vet swore up and down that there was no problems with this product and that the other product had been corrected to be safe for collies.) Before putting on bio spot I decided to check the web and found your information. Needless to say the products going back and now I'm searching for something to replace the front line. We have a tremendous problem with ticks and she was treated for lime disease 3 years ago because I used to not use the front line in winter. Apparently ticks are out all year long even in Massachusetts. Anyway I have to use something to ward off the ticks so for now I'll stay with the front line since she hasn't had an adverse reaction to it. But what a nightmare! Thanks for informing folks of the truth of these products.
Sue 4/25/07
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I used Hartz One Spot on my 12 year old poodle. The next day he started having trouble using his rear legs and hid under my bench and didn't want to come out. I took him to my vet. Epilepsy? Watch him and report back she said. He was a little better the second day, and by the third day he seemed fine. Since I'd owned a poodle in the past who'd had epilepsy, I figured maybe this was a mild form of it.
The next month I put it on him again and the next day he had problems with his rear legs. Like so many others who've written, I just didn't put two and two together.
The third month, it happened again. I finally got it! (Human's can be so smart and stupid at the same time.) Since I'd written down the dates I'd applied it, I compared the first one with the date of my visit to the vets. Exactly one day after. I remembered the second time happened on the Saturday I was repairing my roof. Sure enough, I'd applied it the day before. It had taken me three times before I figured it out, but at least I'd gotten some really good evidence. (The third time I washed it off within 15 minutes of noticing it and it only lasted two days instead of three.)
I feel very lucky that my dog was only slightly effected by the permethrin. My heart goes out to all of those (both humans and pets) who suffered so much more.
If it happened with this frequency in humans, there would be outrage and news stories. It might just be pulled from the market. Of course, that would be after months of denial and legal battles; but at least the human drug companies have to pay millions to lobbyists and congress to get this much leeway. Companion animal drug companies can pretty much do what they want. The only way we could get any attention from the FDA was if we started eating our dogs and cats. Then at least they'd get the same protection as cows and chickens! (My dog just informed me that that wasn't very funny and that he's been wondering what I tasted like since the day I got him.)
O.K., I'm old and cynical. But I really do think that this site, by its very existence (and encouraging us to write the authorities), is having a little influence on the companies.
But where this site really shines is informing pet people of the possible dangers.
Thank you!!!!
Ray 4/26/07
P.S. I don't have any kids, but if I did, I REALLY wouldn't use any of these products. (Hmm... maybe that's a way to get the FDA to pay some attention.)
P.P.S. I've also sent this to my vet, along with this site's URL.
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I was very torn between comfort that someone else had experienced the atrocity of chemical poisoning of our animals versus utter disgust that more animals had suffered like ours.
I have done animal rescue for more than 10 years. I have seen my share of diseases, illnesses and horrible acts that people have committed against animals. But I have never seen anything like what we experienced on Friday April 26, 2007.
My mother-in-law has 6 dogs that she applied "Sargeant's Squeeze-On Gold Flea and Tick Drops" on. This is AFTER she talked to the company about doseages. They began falling ill. That is where the story begins.
People, this was NOT one dog but six. SIX DOGS!!!!!!! There was not a mystery as to what happened here.
I have videotape. I am not going into much more detail other than to say we are looking at legal action. The suffering of these animals was so pathetic and UNNECESSARY!!!!! You can email me privately for more information. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT.
Kelli 4/29/07
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I have a 4 year old Pug and have always used Frontline with no problems. Tuesday, April 24, 2007, I used TriForce Canine Squeeze-On for 21 to 39 pounds. My Pug weighs 22 to 23 pounds. The next morning he was acting as though he was having trouble breathing and vomiting. The vomiting subsided by noon, but on Thursday he had two lesions on his back on either side of the spot where I placed the TriForce. I have been putting an antibiotic ointment and sulfodene on the spots, but they are no better. I called the hotline and they said to bath him twice with dish washing liquid. I have rinsed the spots with cold water, but looks like I am going to have to take him to the vet, because the spots really look no better.
Anonymous 4/30/07
NOTE: Several people find my website EACH DAY by searching for the side effects of Tri Force Canine Squeeze-On. This product is made by Sergeant's, and is the same as Sentry Pro XFC for Dogs and Sergeant's Gold Flea and Tick Squeeze-On for Dogs. The main active ingredients in these products is cyphenothrin (40%) and pyriproxyfen (2%). Agri-Labs and Sergeants are promoting cyphenothrin as being "more effective" than permethrin-based flea and tick products, but "more effective" means that it is MORE TOXIC to dogs.
James TerBush
Copyright © 2002-2009 BioSpotVictims.org All rights reserved.
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.
