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February 2008
My small white dogs had a terrible reaction to Advantage spot-on treatment, yet when we reported this to the vets, they behaved as if this was an unheard-of problem. We felt so sorry for our dogs but got no advice however we did wash off the dogs and that obviously helped them.
Problem is, the other spot-on treatment which our vet promotes, Frontline, seems to be ineffectual. We have paid out hundreds of dollars for minimal results.
Any advice/help would be welcomed!
Vera 2/3/08
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If your veterinary clinic is promoting a new product, it's wise to investigate it before using it on your pet.
I just learned that there is a brand new flea and tick control product on the market called Vectra 3D - made by a brand new company called Summit VetPharm. The company is distributing this product exclusively through veterinarians. Before asking your vet if Vectra 3D is "right for your dog", consider this: Summit VetPharm is owned by the Sumitomo Corporation of America - the same corporation which owns the Hartz Mountain Corp. The Senior Director of Veterinary Services at Summit VetPharm is Dr. Albert Ahn, who also happens to be the Corporate Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer at the Hartz Mountain Corp.
James TerBush
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I bought the Sergeants Gold yesterday at Walmart. We are having a horrible time with fleas this year in Florida. I had my dogs professionally groomed (I have a min.poodle, Bella and a Yorkie, Punky and a 65 lbs beagle/hound mix Trixie). I put the treatment on them all at 6pm by 630 the 2 little dog were acting bizzarre especially Bella, she was foaming at the mouth and acting like she was drunk or on a bad trip. Punky was rubbing his face everywhere, digging the carpet then becoming very lethargic. Trixie was just sleeping and occasionally coughing. I decieded to wash the treatment off all of them then called Sergeants. Well the rep immediately connected me to a woman who said she was not a rep for Sergeants but poison control type rep. (hhuuummm ya think they get ALOT of calls since she knew exactly what symptoms my dogs were having?) They seemed to get better after I washed them but the rep said to wash them in Dawn to strip it off the dogs coat. Bella seemed to be having leg and body cramps still after washing but the other dogs, while still itchy (gave them a little benydryl) but acting much better. I was worried about Bella all night, she slept with me but couldn't get comfy till the benydryl kicked in. It is 5 am as I'm writing this and I'm glad to say that they are all better but still very skittish. I will NEVER put another flea product on these dogs unless I know it has no Pesticides. I am running to the store to return the unused box (I'm keeping the others till I know everybody is ok.) and getting some Brewers Yeast and apple cider vinegar. If that doesn't work I'll get the fine tooth combs out and keep everyone very short haired till this bad flea season is over. I know I used the OTC stuff but so many of you use the vet recommended ones and still have the same issues. I have used the Advantage in the past and the dogs had the running around trying to wipe it off symptoms and felt like they were running fevers. I never thought anything of it. Thinking the vet knew best? My dogs are my babies, I never thought anything like this would happen, I'm so glad I washed them off quickly. Hopefully everyone will be alright.
Terry 2/12/08
Florida
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Last night we applied Sergeants Gold Flea prevention. Within thirty minutes our dog Rylan, was drooling uncontrollably, vomiting. We immediately took her to the emergency animal hospital.On the way to the hospital, she started having seizures. The vet said it was absolutely from the Sergeant's and that she has seen this before. I cannot BELIEVE this product is still on shelves. Rylan stayed over night, and recieved an IV,and meds. She is very sleepy, and groggy today. The whole vet visit cost, $500.00 . But she is our baby, and we would have paid anything to help her. This is Definitely not the end of this!!
Toni 2/13/08
Lakeland,Fl.
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Hi James,
It's me again. (see Robert 8/21/07)
I called Sergeants back in October and November, but they never returned my phone calls. About a week ago, I received a follow-up release letter stating that I had 31 days to respond, otherwise they would close my claim. I called in this morning to speak with a Pamela Eby (Consumer Affairs), who had originally sent all prior correspondence, but she "had stepped out". Instead, I spoke to a Danielle (can't remember her last name) from Consumer Affairs. I stated that their offer was unacceptable, a mere 35% of the costs related to the incident. Danielle claims they will only offer partial reimbursement since my dog was under the weight requirement specified on their product, hence "misuse and overdose" on my part. I mentioned that I had read about many cases where the pet owner used the correct sized dosage of this product, and the pet still got sick. I also mentioned that when I called the NPIC they told me they had been getting calls from people whose pets got sick off this product. So, I said, our case is not an isolated incident due to "misuse and overdose". She said that she could have their committee review my case again, but that they would probably come to the same conclusion. I told her that I would either call or send a letter to Joel Adamson, only to find out that he's retired. According to Danielle, they haven't elected a Senior VP, but that Pamela Eby was the person to talk to.
At this point, I'm not sure whether to settle for the $38.47 (out of the $109.85 I spent). I understand that there is that technicality about the weight specifications with this product, but I contend that my dog would have probably still gotten sick if she was 9 lbs. Also, I feel that their product box is misleading to some degree. The dog pictured on the box for the 9-20 lb. dosage doesn't look like it's 9 lbs. Alas, what do you recommend I do?
Roberto 2/14/07
Thank you for the update.
I don't know if there is anything else that you can do to get Sergeants to reimburse all of your vet expenses. It wouldn't hurt to put a call into Pamela Eby and ask her to call you. If she cannot authorize the payment of your vet expenses, ask to speak to her boss.
I am not familiar with the precautionary statements on the Sergeants Gold packaging. I know that it says "for dogs 9 lbs. to 20 lbs.", but I do not know if it specifically has any warnings regarding an overdose in dogs, or what symptoms (loss of appetite, neurological symptoms, loss of coordination, rapid breathing, seizures) are likely to occur following an overdose. If there are no warnings on the packaging regarding the possibility of an overdose and its symptoms, then I don't see how Sergeants can say that you were negligent in using HALF of one dose on your 7.6 lb. dog. If you had known that it had the potential to cause an overdose and its symptoms, YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE USED IT.
Even if Sergeants refuses to reimburse your vet expenses, your messages will be of great help to others who may be thinking of using Sergeant's products.
James TerBush
Here's another suggestion. Since Sergeants sent you a letter giving you 31 days to respond, I would respond to them IN WRITING and send it via Certified Mail with Return Receipt (gives you proof of mailing and proof of delivery). At the bottom of your letter, write "cc: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency".
I would also send a copy of Sergeant's letter and a copy of your reply to the U.S. EPA (please provide them with the product registration number, which is EPA Reg. # 2517-80). The mailing address is:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs (Mail Code 7509C)
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Good luck.
James TerBush
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I've just finished reading over an hour's worth of posts on your site. I am dumbfounded. Not only do I feel horrible for putting my 3 cats and 2 dogs through the nightmare which is Sergeants Gold Flea Squeeze On - I also feel frustrated, angry and ignorant. One dog, Daisy experienced the exact symptoms most of the posters report: foaming, drooling, disoriented, hyper, vomiting, etc. I bathed her twice in Dawn and fed her water. Overall today she is much better. She's eating, peeing, pooping, and being playful.
What I don't understand is why Daisy still twitches and shakes her head every minute or so. What actually is the cause? What sensation is she experiencing? What can I do? My vet says he'll have to run tests see what is really going on, etc---just like so many other posts on here, it'll add up to big bucks and no real answer.
My cats are all lethagic, but no vomiting. They are eating, but being solitary. I feel horrible for putting them --and myself through this. I can get past a sleepless night nursing Daisy, my dog, back to health, but will Daisy get past long-term twitching and head shaking?
What does this poison actually do to them?? Any answers would be appreciated.
Thanks for providing a great community service--
Karen 2/19/08
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I don't usually apply flea control in the winter months but we were leaving on vacation and would be leaving our four dogs with my sister and her dogs. I didn't want a flea problem so I thought to be proactive and prevent the problem. I applied Biospot as recommended by dog size on Wed Jan 30. I have a cockapoo (Shar), husky, Golden retriver and shepard poodle mix. By wed night my Shar was lethargic. The other dogs had no visable signs of reaction. I had used fronline and biospot in the past and Shar has always been a little lethargic for a day or two after the application but this is printed as a side effect and I didn't worry to much. Thur she had no more energy. Thur night she wouldn't eat dinner. Friday she was no better and didn't eat her breakfast either. My husband stayed home with her from work to try and get her to eat. She refused. Friday night she was too weak to climb the stairs to bed. He carried her to bed and I promised her I would never put flea med on her again. Sat am I took her to the vet. She urinated just before we went in and her urine was bloody. She was diagnosed with Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia. They sent me home with steroids to give her and a recheck of blood work in the morning. Sunday am her counts were so low she had to have a transfusion her skin and eyes was becoming yellow.. Monday she had a little more energy but still everytime she ate anything she would vomit the yellow color was getting worse. Tue I took her home and she was on IV fluids all day. By tue night she was so weak she couldn't even sit up. I thought she was dying right here at home. We rushed her to the vet and while she lay still, too weak to lift her head on the stainless steel table. She looking up at me with her yellowed big brown eyes while the vet explained 90% of dogs with this Dx die and she was too weak to fight and now she was just suffering. We lost her that night. Our hearts are broken. I unknowingly killed my baby girl. Anything I can do to help stop the sale of this poison I will do.
Pam (Shars Mom) 2/20/08
First let me thank you for direction in reporting the dangers of this poison that is so widely used and available to animal owners. Also thank you for the very quick response. I have copied and sent out Shars story to the National Pesticide Information Center and to Farnam. In your return letter you asked me to also call Farnam risk manager and also notify the EPA. Soon after your return mail I received a letter from Kellie Cook Farnam specialist. She asked me to contact the ASPCA 1-800-345-4735 and give them my information. After a lengthy time on hold I spoke to a representative who took all the information. She then forwarded me to a Vet by the name of Dr Hayes. She went over the details again. She said this did not cause my dogs death..I told her I was positive it was the cause. She began to speak very loudly saying flea medication does not cause autoimmune disease. I told her I did not want to argue what did or didn't. I know it did cause her death and I just want to report the incident. She said yelling into the phone IT WILL BE REPORTED BUT IT DID NOT CAUSE .......I hung up on her. I then called Kellie Cook Farnam specialist and spoke with her on the phone. I explained again the details of Shars death. She was very pleasant and said it will be reported to the EPA. I will also email and send out a written letter to the EPA. Have I covered all the bases in reporting this terrible tragedy? If I can call or mail anyone else to save another from this nightmare, just let me know. Thank you again.
Pam 2/20/08
The ASPCA Poison Control Center promotes itself as being "the premier animal poison control center in North America." I spoke with one of their veterinarians a few months ago in regards to adverse reactions caused by Bio Spot. He tried to tell me that Bio Spot does not cause adverse reactions in dogs - only in cats. I explained to him that it almost killed my dog and asked him to visit my website.
I use to think that the ASPCA Poison Control Center provided a valuable service, but I believe they have sadly become a mouthpiece for the pesticide industry. They receive money from several manufacturers of flea control products (including the maker of Bio Spot) to provide free poison-related phone assistance to their customers. That has great potential to be a conflict of interest.
James TerBush
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I would like to know if anyone has used the new product Promeris on their dogs and had adverse effects. We have a 4 year Basset Hound that suffers from demodex mange since he was a puppy. Each time the mite become active, we use Ivermectin and it takes care of the problem. The first sign that Brody's demodex is active is that he begins loosing the hair around his eyes and ears. Each time we start him on the Ivermectin, we see the hair coming back and signs that it is working within 2 weeks. In Dec. of this year, our vet told us that Promeris was supposed to work on dogs with this type parasite so we tried it. We applied one application and a 2nd application 2 weeks later. We did not see any results, so 2 weeks later we went back to the vet and started him on the Ivermectin again. Since then, he has so many bloody scabs on his face, is getting pink spots all over his feet, and can't quit scratching. He looks so sick. The vet is baffled as to what is going on. His skin scrape for the demodex is clear, so the Ivermectin did what it was supposed to. The vet says something else is going on, so we did a skin biopsy last week. We are still waiting on the results. It has just occurred to us that we have never had this type reaction to the demodex before, and now realize that all the severe scratching, and gross skin lesions did not start until we used the Promeris. It was just approved on the market in the fall, so I haven't been able to find any consumer alerts from using this product. Has anyone heard of similar skin problems from use of Promeris?
Lynne 2/20/08
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As I write this my 4 yr old cat is at the vets after what I am convinced is poisoning by Frontline. I applied the Frontline on Tuesday, since then she became withdrawn and stopped eating, was confused, growling, wobbly on her feet. I noticed some diahorrea yesterday. I raised my concerns with my Vet today and said I was convinced it was the Frontline (She asked me if the cat had possibly been poisoned).
She has been admitted, initial test results show a PCV of 10, she has been diagnosed with IMHA and is on a drip and has had a steroid injection.
My vet was adamant that Supermarket flea treatments could have caused this but not Frontline as it is not absorbed systemically. A quick search on the net has soon proved this to be untrue. When I speak with the vet tomorrow I am going to insist she report this to Merial and I will be doing the same. In the meantime I am racked with guilt and anger at poisoning my own cat and am praying she will be OK.
John 2/23/08
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I used the Sargents 5 in one on my cats- for 5lbs and larger cats. I watched them for about two hours to keep them from licking each other. Neither of them got sick, but they are 15 and 22lbs cats. My vet has used Frontline and Advantage on them before. They suggested using more than one or a small dog dose on my larger cat, but I have refused that. I have found in the past that the small dose doesn't last as long on my larger cat, but I'm still not willing to 'guess' at the correct dosage for his size. I'm wondering if the size of my cats has protected them from becoming sick from any of these meds. Well, that and my reluctance to 'double dose' my bigger 'baby'.
Dawn 2/24/08
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(Below is email that I sent to the Director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine)
From: "James TerBush" <james@biospotvictims.org>
To: <bdunham@cvm.fda.gov>
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 1:20 PM
Subject: Topical Flea & Tick Treatments
Dear Dr. Dunham,
I would like to encourage the FDA-CVM to figure out a way for it to regulate all topical flea and tick treatments for pets - especially those products that are "prescribed" and sold as "flea medication" by veterinarians. Most of these products are currently regulated by the EPA, but the EPA is ineffective in monitoring these products for adverse events once they have been approved for sale, and they are grossly ineffective in preventing false or misleading advertisements (i.e. gentle, nonsystemic) for these products.
The FDA regulates topical lindane products that are used to treat ectoparasites such as scabies and lice. Your agency also regulates Pfizer's Revolution and Bayer's Advantage Multi - both of which are topical treatments for the control of fleas and internal parasites. The average consumer has no idea that a few of these products are regulated by the FDA and the rest are regulated to a lessor degree by the EPA. When people take their sick pets to the veterinarian, I believe they have a right to expect that any drug that is prescribed to them, including flea medication, has been FDA approved.
I see no reason why the FDA-CVM should not be responsible for regulating all topical flea and tick treatments - especially since these products pose serious health risks to people and pets.
Sincerely,
James TerBush
Website Administrator for:
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Sadly my neighbor's doggie died within minutes of her putting on the Zodiac flea collar. He was a 7 month old yorkie terrier, and I am very sorry about all the furry victims in this web site.
Anonymous 2/26/08
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.
