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May 2009
In brief.. BIO SPOT IS POISON. I noticed a flee on my sister's dog (dog-sitting) and gave him the recommended dosage of Bio Spot. Within the hour he began bucking his hind legs like a bronco and would not come out of his crate. He began vomiting around 10 hours later and would not eat or drink. I took him to the vet (two hundred dollars later) where he received fluids intravenously and something to prevent vomiting. He is now eating a little bit and seems to be doing better. Whew.
Alison 5/2/09
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(Below is email that I sent on 5/3/09 to David Frei, President and CEO of Angel On A Leash - a charity of the Westminster Kennel Club)
David,
Why is your charity still being used to promote the sale of Bio Spot on the Drs. Foster and Smith's website?
James TerBush
Website Administrator
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(Below is email that I sent on 5/3/09 to David Frei, President and CEO of Angel On A Leash - a charity of the Westminster Kennel Club)
David,
It doesn't take time to remove it from their website. When you emailed me on 4/17 and stated that you had taken action on this, I checked Drs. Foster & Smith's website and they had already removed your charity's name from their Bio Spot promotion. Now, it is
back on their website again.
I would like to remind you that Bio Spot Flea and Tick Control for Dogs was one of the products listed on the EPA's Advisory:
Here is an investigative report concerning dangerous flea and tick products, which was done by NBC Los Angeles last month:
Bio Spot has harmed tens of thousands of animals, and has the potential to harm children who touch treated pets, especially toddlers and children with compromised immune systems.
If you were to call Drs. Foster & Smith tomorrow and advise them to remove your charity's name from their Bio Spot promotional ad, I am sure they would take action immediately.
James TerBush
Website Administrator
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I am currently in the middle of an episode with my dog Miller. I applied Bio Spot On Flea and Tick Control to my dog and within 24 hours I had him at the emergency vet. He was hallucinating - yes the vet said acting like he was hallucinating and wanted to know if he could have gotten into drugs or mushrooms. His heart rate was accelerated, he was anxious to the point of jumping constantly, he was panting, elevated fever and he went outside and ate a stomach full of dog feces. They gave him a sedative, pumped his stomach, gave him IVs and filled him with charcoal to absorb whatever was in his system. The vet was sure he had gotten into something that had a narcotic in it due to the way he was acting.
For the last 6 days he has been doing well except he continues to walk crooked and is constantly biting at his back. I just took him back to the vet thinking it might be something to do with the anal glands. The vet said the glands were fine but saw his crooked walk and said his abdominal cavity was filled with fluid. They are doing additional blood work.
On the way home I called my husband and he had just heard about the FDA report on the news and the caution for using these products. I found your website, read the report, and immediately called the vet to let her know we had just used Bio Spot with the onset of the issue. All of the symptoms fit his episode to the T, especially about the excitability and neurological problems.
I will have blood work back tomorrow and hopefully some answers. Thank you for your website. It was extremely useful and provided so many answers to questions we have had during the last week.
Thanks again!
Gaye 5/5/09
Note: The report mentioned above was actually an EPA Advisory:
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(Below is a letter sent by Richard on 5/6/09 to Debra Edwards, Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs)
Ms. Debra F. Edwards
USEPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W.
Mail Code: 7501P
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Ms. Edwards,
I'm writing to you today as a private citizen. I have two specific issues which I'm greatly concerned about. First, however, I want to thank you and the EPA for your recent public advisory of April 16th regarding increased scrutiny by the EPA on topical spot-on flea and tick pesticide products for pets. I'm very pleased that the EPA and your Office of Pesticide Programs is taking a closer look at the safety of pesticide based flea and tick products. I was delighted to see specific products and manufacturers identified in the first two versions of your announcement. I was disappointed that specific phenothrin based products for dogs and their manufacturer, Hartz Mountain Corporation, were not on the list. However, I understand that you are once again reviewing the completeness of the list and will be republishing it in the near future. I sincerely hope that in addition to Hartz Mountain's cat and kitten products originally being listed you will also list their dog products containing the highest volumes of phenothrin in the industry.
I suggest respectfully that phenothrin based products, particularly in the volumes that Hartz Mountain uses (85.7%, the highest in the industry) combined with s-methoprene, an insect growth regulator, combines to increase the total toxicity of this neurotoxin dramatically. This is done intentionally to increase the so-called "efficacy" of the products.
The second--and most important--reason I'm writing is to ask you and your colleagues to take the same action on synthetic pyrethroid based flea and tick topical spot-ons that you took with Hartz Mountain Corporation in 2005--issuing a Cancellation Order on their cat and kitten products and ensuring that they are no longer available to injure and kill animals. Enough is enough. Thousands of animals have been injured or worse, and too many families have been devastated by the sense of loss of their pets. Additionally, the EPA's own documentation and science has determined that the cumulative affects of exposure to these products has never been adequately tested. The risk to toddlers and children is undetermined, according to the EPA, yet we know through science that synthetic pyrethroids are lethal to aquatic life and birds and are also highly toxic to cats and kittens. Additionally, your own documentation through the National Pesticide Information Center points to thousands of injuries and too many deaths in dogs and puppies.
My wife and I lost our six year old Scottish Terrier in May of 2007 as a result of the application of Hartz Mountain's flea and tick drops for dogs (EPA Reg. No. 2596-150). It was a terrible, tragic death that left our pet in cardiac arrest and death after three days of suffering, including dehydration, seizures, convulsions, vomiting, elevated temperatures and ataxia. Our two attending veterinarians have attested to the fact that Hartz's pesticide product put our pet into a condition from which he could never recover. One of the veterinarians, who has been practicing for over 30 years, wrote a medical summary documenting these facts. The second veterinarian, who has seen many cases of insecticide toxicosis as a result of these pesticide products (most often from Hartz Mountain's products, according to her) spoke on my behalf during a conference call with Hartz's executives, regulatory and science officers. Additionally, I asked the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulation to investigate our pet's death knowing that Hartz Mountain many times points to the consumer as misusing the product resulting in the injury to a pet. There certainly have been documented cases of this happening (which raises other questions about the consumer's ability to easily distinguish between cat and dog products because of labeling) but the investigation by the Department of Pesticide Regulation concluded that we used the correct product and applied it precisely according to directions. In addition, I received the medical opinions of independent experts outside of our two veterinarians--a board certified toxicologist from Western University Veterinary School in Pomona, California and the director of the Pesticide Programs Division of the Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Environmental Protection Agency--both who reviewed our pet's medical history and charts and came to the same conclusion as our primary veterinarian, Dr. Perry Rhyneer.
In the two years since the death of our pet I've researched this subject in great depth. I spoken to veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary academicians, independent experts including parasitologists, neurologists and board certified toxicologists. I've spoken with Dr. Steven Hansen, executive director of the Animal Poison Control Center (a branch of the ASPCA, who recently discontinued their advertising relationship with Hartz Mountain) executives of the American Kennel Club (who dropped Hartz Mountain as their Veterinary Outreach Partner), leading dog trainers throughout the United States and other citizens who have had pets injured or killed. I've read research papers, veterinary papers and many of the EPA's own documents including the EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision for d-Phenothrin of September 2008. I've spoken to and assisted members of the media--including The Center for Public Integrity and KNBC Los Angeles--who have developed substantive and factual investigative reports on this issue and I've received intimidating letters from Hartz's senior legal counsel for doing so (copy attached).
What I've learned about these products is appalling--absolutely disgraceful. The documented damage they've done is breathtaking, both in terms of dollars and resources and the sense of loss and devastation to families. According to your own documentation there were over 28,000 potential adverse incidents reported in 2007 and over 44,000 last year. And how many incidents go unreported--70%--90%? Who knows the true extent of the damage.
Your office has previously expressed concern over the potential risks phenothrin based (and synthetic pyrethroid) products may pose to people. In particular, tests revealed a possible danger to toddlers who play with treated pets. An EPA assessment of Sergeant’s cyphenothrin spot on products in 2006 concluded that “toddler exposure from dermal (hug) and hand-to-mouth activities to treated companion animals continues to be of concern.” Similar testing of Hartz’s d-phenothrin products in May 2008 found the same risk.
But both these assessments were revised shortly after your original conclusions. I've been told by EPA staff members that original cyphenothrin tests had overestimated the amount of product commonly applied to the pet, and when calculations were done for a smaller dose, the margin of safety was acceptable. A more refined test of the d-phenothrin products (registration nos. 2596-150 and 2596-151) likewise “resolved the risk for toddler hand-to-mouth exposure". Permethrin, an active ingredient in products like K9 Advantix and Bio Spot Spot On Flea and Tick Control for Dogs, is classified under the most toxic category by the National Resources Defense Council and many other health experts because the EPA says it is “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” if ingested orally.
Alarmingly, these new conclusions were developed by scientists and technical staff of the registrants and the manufacturers (MGK, Sergeant's, Sumitomo Corporation and Hartz Mountain) who had everything to gain financially by providing documentation the EPA would find acceptable. On page 14 of the EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision for Phenothrin (September 2008) the EPA writes that, "The toxicity database for phenothrin is currently incomplete. The toxicity database lacks acute, chronic and developmental neurotoxicity studies that are required in order to fully evaluate risks to infants and children." Also, on page 14, the Agency writes, "There is qualitative and quantitative evidence of increased susceptibility to infants and children from exposure to phenothrin. The studies assessing developmental neurotoxicity in rabbits indicated the presence of spina bifida at mid-dosage treatment levels, as well as the presence of hydrocephaly at the highest dose used."
Ms. Edwards, these are stunning admisssions of a lack of data. And, equally alarming, on page 15 of the document the EPA reports that "although phenothrin is lacking in acute, chronic and subchronic and developmental neurotoxicity studies, neurotoxic effects were observed in the developmental studies that were submitted". Also on page 15, the EPA writes that "the phenothrin registrant, Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd., is currently in the process of conducting a neurotoxicity study for phenothrin. The Agency will review these data when they are submitted by the registrant". This is incredible. The registrant, Sumitomo Chemical Company, who has financial gain at stake will provide the Agency with the neurotoxicity study? As a private citizen I find that appalling. It's such an obvious conflict of interest that it's impossible to believe the EPA would allow it.
I do not have access to scientists and chemical experts to work with your office, understand your criteria for registration approval and reregistration acceptability, develop an on-going, almost daily, working relationship with your staff nor the resources to provide your staff with my own scientific detail supporting the risks and dangers of these pesticide products. However, I'm hopeful this fact does not marginalize private citizens like me, our research, our views and opinions and, most importantly, prevent you and your team from being truly independent and consistently focused on the safety of pets and humans. Accepting data and safety studies from the registrants and manufacturers on their own products is clearly a conflict of interest and not in the interests of consumers.
The NPIC in its 2005 Annual Report concluded that phenothrin and methoprene combined for the highest number of adverse incidents and in subsequent years these ingredients continued to contribute to the majority of animal deaths. In 2005 the NPIC reported to the EPA a human death and 55 animal deaths attributed to these ingredients. The number of injuries, of course, is much larger.
On p.34 of the 2005 Annual Report, it says, "D-Phenothrin and Methoprene were named in the highest percentage of incident inquiries with a certainty index of 1 or 2, 36.2% and 33.8%, respectively." A certainty of index of 1 means definite, and 2 means probable.
On p.44, Table 17.2 shows the active ingredients involved in animal deaths. The active ingredients responsible for the most deaths were phenothrin and methoprene, which comprise nearly 98% of the Hartz flea and tick medications I'm concerned about, and precisely the ingredients the EPA forced Hartz to cancel in their cat and kitten medication in 2006. Permethrin and pyrethrins were also in the top 5.
In the 2006 Annual Report, the NPIC again reported permethrin, pyrethrins, methoprene and phenothrin among the active ingredients most responsible for animal deaths (p.44, Table 17.2-Active Ingredients Involved in Animal Deaths) and these synthetic pyrethroids were responsible for the one human death reported to the NPIC in 2006.
In the 2007 Annual Report, the NPIC (p.48, Table 17.2) once again reports the active ingredients involved in the majority of animal deaths were methoprene, permethrin and phenothrin.
I'm fully aware, Ms. Edwards, that dogs metabolize synthetic pyrethroids through liver function much better than cats--synthetic pyrethroids are highly toxic to cats and kittens. However, the number of dog injuries and deaths attributed to these ingredients is unacceptable and growing and I'm sure your documentation reveals exactly the same. The human health implications are not yet scientifically determined, even by the EPA's statements and documents, many of which are contained in the EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision of September 2008. This includes the startling statement from page 14 of the Reregistration Eligibility Decision document that which discusses human health risk assessment for phenothrin: "The toxicity database for phenothrin is currently incomplete. The toxicity database lacks acute, chronic and developmental neurotoxicity studies that are required to fully evaluate risks to infants and children".
Again, I thank you for announcing the additional scrutiny on these products, and I ask that you expand the list of products and manufacturers to include all synthetic pyrethroid ingredients. Most importantly, however, it's now time to take additional action and prevent future damage by these products. The data, science and evidence is overwhelming in terms of reflecting the damage done to animals and, potentially, infants and children. There are safer alternatives available to the registrants and manufacturers--proven to be safer through additional science, acceptable studies and substantive documentation. The public deserves your action, your support and protection.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Richard
(Below is a response that Richard received on 7/21/09 from Debra Edwards, Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs)
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My 6 pound chihuahua has been at the vet for 2 days receiving blood transfusions to help battle her bad reaction to Biospot flea and tick drops. She has chemical burns and it is detroying her red blood cells. There has to be something we can do!!!!
Jennifer 5/6/09
Thank you James. Just to update you. I filed a report with EPA and called Farnum. Sherri Pike refused to talk to me. She stated she is not dealing with these problems anymore. They gave me an address to send in the medical records to and said they would get back with me in 4-6 weeks.
Just to fill you in on what happened to my dog so you can post it on your site.
I applied the Biospot to my dog. She immediately showed signs of itching but I thought it was just from the wetness of the medication irritating her. A couple of hours later the spot where I applied it turned red so I did what the package says. Flushed it with lots of water.
By the next day morning the place on her back looked blistered and her hair started to fall out. She was in severe pain and itching. I took her to my vet immediately. Now it is 2 days later and she has severe chemical burns and the Biospot has attacked her red blood cells. She has had 2 blood transfusions and a list of antidote medications along with pain meds and Benadryl. It breaks my heart because I applied it to her. I called the ASPCA to be turned away. Aren't they supposed to be "FOR ANIMALS"? Something HAS to be done about this. I can't believe they allow for people and their pets to go through so much suffering. We as of now are still not sure of her outcome.
Thank you James for your website and everything that you are doing.
Jennifer 5/6/09
We just brought our dog home for the evening but she has to be back in the morning. The vet told me that she has IMHA from the Biospot. Her chemical burns are getting worse. I am so angry! Actually angry is an understatement to how I feel. Our vet bill is now over $1000! But I don't care about the bill. I care about my dog's health and other people not knowing what this product can do.
Farnum transferred me to an operator. She would not even hear my story. Just told me to mail my dog's medical records and bill to them and they would review it. I couldn't even get a phone #. She said," They will contact you."
This is the address they gave me:
CLS
1501 East Woodfield Road, Suite 200W
Schaumberg, IL 60173
The ASPCA also told me that my vet and I did not know what we were talking about and that it only causes minor skin irritations. Thats funny. So a chemical burn is a minor skin irritation? News to me.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Jennifer 5/6/09
To read other posts concerning IMHA, type "IMHA" or "AIHA" into the Search Box on this website.
The address that Farnam gave you is for their parent company, Central Life Sciences. Here is the company listing:
Farnam should have had the decency to give you a phone number. Are they receiving so many reports of adverse reactions that they can't talk to you? The phone number of Central Life Sciences is 1-800-877-2740.
I would call them tomorrow and ask to speak with their Risk Manager (or their Risk Management Dept.) I would let them know what happened and that you expect to be reimbursed for all of your veterinary expenses (which are just beginning). If possible, save the receipt for the Bio Spot and any unused product and packaging. You will have to send them copies of your dog's medical records (which your vet can give to you) and vet bills. I would also ask your vet to write you a note on his/her stationery stating that your dog's chemical burns and illness were most likely an adverse reaction to Bio Spot, and I would send a copy of it to Central Life Sciences.
It's no surprise to me that the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center told you that Bio Spot for Dogs only causes mild reactions in dogs. They are paid by Farnam. BTW, did the ASPCA charge you a $60. consultation fee? I hope not because Farnam is paying them so that you don't have to.
Here is the latest update from the EPA concerning flea and tick products:
Please keep me updated. I will post your messages on my website so that everyone will know how Farnam (Central Life Sciences) responds to customers whose pets have been harmed by their products.
James TerBush
Website Administrator
Hi James,
So as the days are going by I am getting more and more angry. I had to put medication on my dog's burns last night and feed her pain medication while she was laying in her bed screaming in agony. She is back at the vet again today to monitor her blood count and manage her burns.
There are so many people affected by this so I am looking into a Class action law suit. If anyone wants to get in on this with me to get justice for this then they need to e-mail me @ my e-mail address. You can post it on your site if you would like to.
Biospot must be removed from the shelves. It is at every pet store I walk in. If I had enough money then I would buy it all just to keep anyone else from it.
Thank you again.
Jennifer 5/7/09
Jennifer,
I sent email to David Frei, President and CEO of Angel On A Leash - a charity of the Westminster Kennel Club, asking if he can do anything to help with your veterinary expenses. His organization is currently promoting Bio Spot on Drs. Foster and Smith's website.
James
Hi James,
Thank you for giving Ms. Anthaley at the Wallstreet Journal my information. I talked to her and she is eager about doing a story on this. I also wanted to let you know that Nashville's News Channel 5 is doing an interview with me tomorrow and my story should be on this weekend. I am sure you will be able to see it on their website at www.Newschannel5.com
I will let you know when it is on the site so you can see it and post it on your website.
Saki is doing a little better. Her burns are starting to heal. The blisters are scabbing over and my vet says that is a good sign. Her bloodwork is still off quite a bit though. Her Red Count as of Monday is low at a 3.33, Hematocrit is 24.2%, Hemoglobin is 9.0, and her White count is high at 29.73 which shows signs that her little body is fighting a nasty infection. We are still babying her and giving her her daily medications. We will find out tomorrow if the medicines have worked or not. Thank you so much for everything James!
Jennifer 5/14/09
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I used Sergeant's Gold on my dachshund and within 20 minutes he was so stressed. He was whinning, panting, biting at his back and trying to scratch his back. Two baths later still no relief. Rubbing and scratching his back helped him temporarily. This has so far lasted 24 hours. Hoping tomorrow is better otherwise it will be a trip to the vet. Very upset with this product , it should be pulled from the market.
Anonymous 5/9/09
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My 9 month old chihuahua, Dakota, was given ADVANTAGE MULTI and just after 24 hours we noticed that she wouldn't eat. A few hours later she started shivering, the way that Chihuahuas tend to do, but she never has done. The first day Tonight it has been two days and she hasn't eaten or had a BM she sleeps all the time and has no playfullness.Today we did feed her some sugar water. I read your article and threw her right in the bathtub......I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for all this info.
Murphy 5/10/09
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I put biospot on our 2 poms...one is 5 pounds and one is 6 pounds...not long after it was applied they started acting very strange...severe scratching, running around the house back and forth in their crates..winning like in pain, eyes glazed over and runny...not eating or drinking at all. I think they are going to be fine but for a day or 2 I did not...right away I washed it off....did this for 3 days...had to hand feed them and force feed them water, gave one a benadryl for the itching...it was pretty bad..I think if I had not got right on this they would be dead. How does the company get away with making this stuff for us to use on our dogs????
Julie 5/10/09
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I recently used TriForce on my three cats and two dogs. Almost immediately the dogs became extremely itchy and restless. They were unable to sleep thru the night due to their discomfort. I gave them a bath, but that did not stop their scratching. I finally had to give them some Benadryl to allow them relief from their itchiness.
The cats weren't as bad. However, all three of them were somewhat itchy immediately after application of TriForce. Today (3 days later) one of the cats has a bald spot at the site of application and is very sensitive to touch at that place. The other two cats are also sensitive at the area of application.
I have used Frontline and Revolution on these animals without any adverse reactions. I am very disappointed in this product and will tell everyone I know never to use it on their animals.
Heather 5/11/09
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I applied biospot to both of my dogs close to a week ago. One of my dogs has begun to exhibit behaviors not typical to her, growling at the kids, stand offish, etc. My other dog was unable to walk and favored one of her legs. The next morning when I went to check on her, she would not use either of her rear legs, and just drug herself to me. I took her to the vet and he could find nothing "physically" wrong with her and believes it to be a "neurological" reaction to the biospot. I was wondering if you have encountered either one of these symptoms in your research or if anyone else has reported the same type of symptoms.
Thank you for your assistance.
Consuela 5/11/09
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I adopted 3 cats about 5 years ago and used BIO Spot on all three of them. These were all adult cats in healthy condition. Two of them got very sick, throwing up, fever, lethergic, would not eat. One, Sophia, almost died. When I took her to the vet he told me that I should never use BIO Spot on my animals and that he had seen many, many animals who had become very ill after being treated with BIO Spot. I have no idea how this company manages to still sell this horrible product. I have made it my little mission to tell every pet owner and pet store about my experience with this product.
Also, when I called the company hotline to report the situation, the man I spoke with at BIO Spot was very patronizing... like almost mocking my experience. I got the feeling that he had heard the story many times before and really did not give a hoot. It was maddening.
Desiree 5/11/09
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(Below is email that I sent on 5/12/09 to David Frei, President and CEO of Angel On A Leash - a charity of the Westminster Kennel Club)
Hi David,
The Humane Society has warned that pet pesticide products like Bio Spot could harm pets and children:
Does your charity have a policy concerning the use of these products on its therapy dogs? If not, it would seem to be a very irresponsible position for an organization which cares about pets and children.
Sincerely,
James TerBush
Website Administrator
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I bought BioSpot yesterday from a pet store here in Cape Coral, Fl and gave a dose to
both of my small dogs. One is a maltese and the other a peekapoo. Not 15 minutes after giving it to them, they both had adverse reactions! I panicked and called the number on the box. They took all information and put me in touch with a veterinarian. I was told to immediately wash both dogs twice with dish liquid soap and keep an eye on them. The seemed to get better through the night but are still not quite acting right. I felt absolutely terrible for doing this to them! After a sleepless night, I have an appointment today with a veterinarian. This product should be pulled from shelves and there should be a class-action suit brought against the manufacturer to reimburse people for vet bills! This product is terrible! I plan to contact the local news to try and prevent others from making the same mistake! Thank you for allowing me to submit our story.
Susan 5/14/09
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This evening on the local news there was a report regarding the adverse affects of flea and tick medicine for dogs and the many different affects that have resulted from the use of these products. After printing the recap, and searching through the internet for similar reports I happened on your website. Here is my story:
Last Wednesday I gave a dose of the Frontline Plus to my 12lb Bichon, Chloe. Thinking nothing of it because I have given this product to her over the past 3 years and never had a problem. However by midnight on Thursday she was vomiting (3 times that night) and had severe diarrhea. The next day I made her some white rice and gave her ice cubes to soothe her and try to keep her hydrated. By Sunday night I couldn't take the way she looked or behaved, she hadn't stopped vomiting since Thursday and was around 9 lbs at this point. So an emergency visit we made to the University of Penn. You can only imagine the $$$$ signs I was seeing. Well they could not determine her issues, they took x-rays and admitted her for over night observations. The next day the vet called me to say they needed to do an ultra-sound and that she would be admitted to the hospital ward and that she would not be coming home for a few days. So the long and short of it, they told me it was a viral infection that is undetermined what its cause. I will be contacting them as well as my normal vet about my finding this evening; however about $2800.00 later I am furious that these companies are allowed to operate and take our money to only poison our pets. I am sure others are like me and the pet is our life, our family, our companion, our friend. However, I am also not made of money. I will pay this bill but to have to shell out $2800.00 for something that was to help protect my dog and have it hurt her so badly is beyond comprehension. Obviously I am not suing anyone and I will have to find a way to pay this bill but if there are others out there with Frontline, they need to know this. I never would have thought that this would be a possibility. Please continue to educate others and thank you for keeping up with our stories. Chloe is since recovering at home but who knows if she has any irreparable damages that are due to the negligence of our government and the almighty dollar that these pet suppliers are out to make. Word of mouth is the best form of advertisement and please know that everyone I see in this city of brotherly and pet love will know about this horrible product and the affect it can have on your pet.
Pamela 5/14/09
(Below is a message that Pam sent to Jan, whose dog had a similar adverse reaction to Frontline Plus - see Message Board for September, 2006)
Thank you for your informative and caring email. I appreciate the information you have passed on to me. According to the doctors dicharge information Chloe did show signs of slight anemia and is still a little on the sluggish side but has regained her appetite. I watch her daily and keep my fingers crossed that she continues to heal. She is showing some signs of regaining her old zest.
As this week continues I find it more and more upsetting the lack of attention given to the dangers we have uncovered. I've asked other what would happen to me if I starved my dog? Would I be prosecuted? Harming an animal is against the law right? Well, isn't that what we are doing with the flea and tick products? Isn't the manufacturer creating a harming product that is presented to us as a aid in the care of our pets but in reality is the worst thing we can do?
I can appreciate the vets thoughts and I have even questioned my personal vet who said they contacted Merial and they still feel its the most superior product out there, and that this seems none related to the product. Regardless I will take the loss of the price paid for this and never ever treat my animal with it again. I feel that someone needs to answer our concerns. Someone needs to hear us and take into consideration that maybe this isn't just fanatical pet owners making a fuss and not just accepting that things go wrong. My dog is my family, she drives me crazy when she has to sniff everything on our walks, or when she takes forever to go potty, or whenshe wakes me up in the middle of the night to vomit on my blankets, but she's mine. She's my baby, the friend who is always happy to see me, who like to curl up with me when I'm sad, and let's me put silly pink sweatshirts on her. She deserves better, she deserves to be safe and if this product and others like it are creating harmful reactions, then those that produce it and those who market it should be held responsible.
I will continue to tell everyone I work with, who in turn will tell others. I have encouraged the local news to continue to dig on this topic and search out for more information. It shouldn't just go away. I don't want my money back, I just don't want anyone else to have to deal with the scare and uncertainty that Chloe and I dealt with.
Again, thank you for your insight and please keep me updated with more information that comes to you.
Regards,
Pam 5/15/09
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(Below is a letter that Richard sent on 5/15/09 to Joan Sill at CBS TV in Philadelphia in regards to their investigative report, Pet Care Danger)
Hello Joan,
I had the opportunity to view your recent CBS TV report "Pet Care Danger" and wanted to let you now that I thought it was extremely well done. It was also a great public service--informing pet owners, pet lovers and just regular consumers and citizens of the documented risks and dangers from these pesticide chemicals. That is something we expect from the media but don't always get, particularly such concise, direct, informative and substantive pieces of work.
I'm now retired--have been since 2004--and have had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time researching and investigating this issue. What I've learned is appalling. The documented injuries and deaths of pets, combined with the sense of loss and devastation to pet owners and families (not to mention veterinary expenses) is disgraceful. The lack of regulatory oversight, objectivity and action by the federal EPA is incredible. Congressional committees have expressed concerns and written the EPA about specific cases of conflict of interest. The EPA itself admits in many of its own documents that it practices a close working relationship with manufacturers in registering and reregistering these chemicals in spite of a body count that the public--if truly informed--would find completely unacceptable.
The underlying story--actually a ticking time bomb--is the EPA granting registration of these ingredients when the risk to infants and children may be tremendous. The EPA's own scientists and their own documentation state many times (one example is the EPA's Registration Eligibility Document for phenothrin, dated September 2008) that there has not been adequate testing or acceptable health models developed to understand the implications to children's health. Children coming into contact with cats or dogs that have been treated with applications of these ingredients could be in serious danger according to the EPA's own documentation...yet it is still allowed in the marketplace as an over the counter product. The EPA, working closely with the registrants and manufacturers, has a record of not moving until the body count is so high--as it was in 2005 when the EPA issued a Cancellation Order on Hartz Mountain's cat and kitten products--that it can no longer be ignored. Think of that--an organization put in place to protect the environment, our citizens and our animals now has a practice of working closely with those that have a pecuniary interest in the outcome to develop health models and review "science" (provided by these organizations), in order to facilitate EPA approval.
I would hope that one day a media organization like yours or possibly Congressional leaders--or both--will expose to the full light of day a regulatory agency that is more interested in enabling the product distribution of chemical manufacturers and registrants than protecting its citizens, animals and environment.
Please consider taking the initiative on this story, Joan. I know you would find much support from very knowledgeable people that have a leg up on data and documentation--people that are not "nut cases", but sincerely care about these issues and speak and write factually and objectively. Also, there are former EPA scientists who have spoken up on these issues and would be willing to help.
Regardless, of what you do in the future on this issue, thank you again (and please thank Chris May and others who were involved) for putting together a piece of journalism that has informed citizens and contributed in many positive ways. All the best.
Sincerely,
Richard
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Last night on our local news a warning was broadcast about bio spot flea and tick control. It used an actual dog that was suffering from internal poisoning beneath the skin and on the spot where it was applied. This was a small dog 5 or 6 pounds. The dog has scratched itself so much that it had raw areas on its body. The news cast stated that the vet had determined that the use of any product (flea and tick) containing PERMETHRIN could cause these problems and possibly death.
The care of the dog is still ongoing, blood transfusions and other costly procedures. This warning appeared on channel 5 in Nashville on May 16, 2009. What about larger dogs and other animals??????
Mike and Dee 5/17/09
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My story was told by Joel Grover from NBC4 in Los Angeles. I am sure many of you have seen it, but I will include the link. I am so grateful for Mr. Grover for the amazing work he put in to these stories to help get the word out to the public. I feel like my main mission of informing the innocent had been accomplished. I do however, still have a huge amount of frustration when I see this product still on store shelves. BioSpot is taking zero responsibility for the death of Hummer and the illness of Samson, and I am outraged that they can get away with this. Please pass the following links along! Thanks and God Bless!
Heidi 5/20/09
Hi Heidi,
Thank you very much for writing. I am deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your cat, Hummer. The NBC Los Angeles story was an excellent piece of investigative journalism. I was really moved by your account of the terrible incident.
Your efforts to let everyone know about your experience with Bio Spot will spare many pets from being needlessly harmed by it.
Sincerely,
James TerBush
Website Administrator
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(Below is email that I received from the EPA in response to my request for a transcript of the meeting that the EPA held with flea and tick product manufacturers on May 5, 2009, and my reply).
----- Original Message -----
From: <Gesalman.Claire@epamail.epa.gov>
To: "James TerBush" <james@biospotvictims.org>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 9:39 AM
Subject: Re: EPA meeting with pet pesticide manufacturers
Dear Mr. TerBush,
I have not responded because I am trying to get the information. We understand your desire for this information.
Staff who are responsible for the meeting summary have many competing demands on their time and are trying to get to this as soon as possible. I believe it may be done by the end of May, but this is not a commitment, since it is not within my control.
Claire Gesalman
Chief, Communication Services Branch
-----------------
Sent by EPA Wireless E-Mail Services.
Dear Ms. Gesalman,
Thank you for the reply.
As you are aware, in Lisa Jackson's opening remarks during her Senate confirmation hearing, she stated that, "President-elect Obama has affirmed two core values that he expects EPA to uphold during his Administration: scientific integrity and the rule of law. He has also made it clear we will operate with unparalleled transparency and openness. I pledge to uphold those values."
I very much appreciate your Agency's new commitment to scientific integrity and the rule of law, and look forward to receiving the transcript that I requested at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
James TerBush
Website Administrator
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I bought Bio Spot at Agway (a name I trust) about a year and a half ago. I gave it to both my dogs. They were both in the appropriate weight category, but the lighter and younger one became very lathargic about 1/2 hour later. His breathing was off too. My girlfriend and I completely washed him off and he was back to normal in a couple of hours. Since then, Toby has had seizures about every four months. If there is any thing that you know of that could help out his situation that my vet has not already told me then please feel free to contact me anytime. I wish there was a class action that I could join.
Dan 5/22/09
Plymouth, NH
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We should boycott the Hartz flea collars. My 2 and a half year old puppy got a severe raw spot on her throat. We're going to take her to the vet tomorrow. That's the end of the Hartz flea collars for her.
Rosemarie 5/25/09
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I used Bio-Spot on all 4 of my dogs. My Japanese Chin was the only one that had a reaction to it. It blistered the skin on his back where it was applied and he was in a lot of pain for a couple weeks. The skin scabbed for several weeks. I am just grateful that he didn't get sick and die from it like others that I have heard of. I will never use it again. I told the folks in my vets office about it. They told me the over the counter flea and tick meds are not regulated like the stuff you get at the vets office so you never know what in each dose. I'm not even sure I ever want to use Frontline on them again. I thought I was saving a few buck by using Bio-Spot. It sure was not worth it. I will look for more natural ways to prevent ticks and fleas. We get ticks all the time in our area more so than fleas. My sheltie had Lyme disease a couple of years ago so I have to do something to prevent ticks.
Mary 5/26/09
West Chester, PA
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Here's my story & thank you for giving us all a place to post & warn others! I asked my vet about my cat's symptoms, but vets have an obvious conflict of interest & mine didn't think it was related to flea Rx.
I found out about your site in Tuesdays' (5/26/09) Wall Street Journal article which I'm sure you've seen, "Fur Flies Over Flea Treatments".
My cat has had shivers & trembling on & off since I used Frontline on him 4 years ago when he was 3 months old. I notice it particularly at night while he sleeps. His muscles tremble involuntarily. Then I read that Frontline's active ingredient, Fipronil, is a "potent
disruptor of the insect central nervous system", but the part it attacks is important in vertebrate nerve transmission as well(!)
Another site indicates that Fipronil "causes hyperexcitation of contaminated insects' nerves and muscles". This is too close for comfort. Fortunately I only ever applied 3 of the applicators. I also treated my older cat at the same time & he seems to be ok.
But now I wonder if this stuff, like other pesticides, is stored in their fatty tissue & still present in their bodies. In the last 4 years we have had 3 close-calls with fleas where our indoor boys got out & returned carrying fleas in their coats (at least 3-4 each). Each time I waited, dreading an anticipated flea-outbreak. But lo-and-behold, nothing ever happened. The fleas disappeared & I know it wasn't my cooking. If I'm right, this stuff
is still working 4 years after treatment (!!)
Thank you for all you're doing,
Kay 5/28/09
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(Below is email that I sent on 5/28/09 to Toni Wilson, Producer of ABC News)
Dear Ms. Wilson,
Are you still planning to air your story on flea and tick treatments this evening? I would like to encourage you to thoroughly research the story.
The real story here is not just what these products are doing to pets, but what they are doing to children. They pose more risks to toddlers than just about any other residential pesticide exposure scenario, and the risk isn't simply a mild, temporary reaction. The pesticides in these products could impair the growth and development of a toddler's brain and central nervous system - affecting their health for the rest of their life. That's the danger of being exposed to high concentrations of pesticides. It's not just a problem that affects the children of farm laborers, it affects every household that owns a pet.
Perhaps the ultimate story here is why the EPA allows flea and tick treatments with high concentrations of pesticides to be sold. Why do they allow the chemical industry to conduct the safety studies and the risk assessments? That's a clear conflict of interest. Instead of protecting the economic interests of the chemical industry, the EPA is suppose to protect us from dangerous chemicals.
In January, the GAO issued a report in which it labeled the EPA as a "high-risk area" because it "does not have sufficient chemical assessment information to determine whether it should establish controls to limit public exposure to many chemicals that may pose substantial health risks."
Here is the GAO report:
Here is an article concerning the GAO report:
Toni, as the Producer of ABC News, you have the power to investigate the EPA's failure to protect the public from dangerous chemicals (including the pesticides in flea and tick treatments). Failure to do so would be a tremendous disservice to your viewers and the entire country.
Sincerely,
James TerBush
Website Administrator
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My toy poodle recently had a bad reaction to Bio-Spot. The first time I used Bio-Spot was in April. The next day my dog had trouble walking, sensitivity to his back and in coordination. I immediately took him to my vet and although I told my vet that his symptoms started right after I used bio-spot he concluded that my dog strained his
back and gave him medication. My vet didn't even know the effects that bio-spot could have on dogs. Two weeks ago I used Bio-Spot again and my dog began to have the same symptoms. I immediately called the vet and he told me to wash the medication off which I did. I asked my vet if Bio-Spot could have done this and his response was "never say never". My dog is doing better now but he still has sensitivity to his hind quarters. Obviously this product is dangerous to dogs as well as cats. I started to do research and came across your website. I am telling all of my friends with animals do not use Bio-Spot.
Gloria 5/28/09
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I purchased BioSpot because it was less expensive and having several dogs that is
a factor for me. Almost immediately after application my dogs became lethargic, did not want to eat or drink nor go outside. The symptoms went away after a few days, but reappeared immediately after the next month application. I was amazed how quickly and violently their little bodies reacted to BioSpot. This was several years ago and I have never used the stuff again, not on the ones listed below nor on any of my other
fur kids.
Airedale, female 50 pounds, 4 years old
Airedale, male app 75 pounds and 2 years old
Springer Spaniel, female app 45 pound about the same age (rescue dog)
Heide 5/29/09
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I put this flea medicine on my Besenji/chow mix. It was Sergeants Sliver flea & tick. He started twisting and turning and trying to bite his back, and he became irritable, would not eat, snapped at our other small maltease (and they always get along) he was just very different''..I called the vet, and told him what happened, he told me to wash this stuff off and rinse the area 2-3 times, and give him benadryl ..he seemed to get better...now 2 weeks have gone by... Now he is hunching his back, squealing every time he moves, and walks stiff legged on his back legs,, I will take him to the vet to diagnose him, but he was fine until I put that topical flea treatment on him, I do not know if the relapse has anything to do with the first ordeal, but I warn people to never try this on their pets, thank God I didn't put in the Matease (10 pounds) it might have killed him, I read a story online that the ingredients might have LYE in it.. I know my dog was in a lot of pain/and discomfort. Just beware!! Thanks for your web site to tell people about SERGEANTS SILVER!!
Sharon 5/29/09
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I am so glad to find your site. For the past several years (27 visits to the vet within 14 months) our little yorkie, Hobbes has been getting sick often. He would begin with vomiting, after several episodes of vomiting, blood would be present in the vomit, often a lot of clotted blood. He would also have black diahrea, he would act confused, often going into the guest bedroom to relieve himself, (he was well trained and never did his bs. in the house), he would stand and look confused as if he did not know who we were. He was lethargic and nauseous and of course did not want to eat. He would loose about 8 oz. and with nausea and diahrea meds would gradually get better and would be his happy self. We tried all sorts of food varieties, and finally settled on boiled chicken and rice, which he is presently still eating. After 5 months of working with a vet specialist, spending a huge amount of money for tests, eliminating one thing at a time
in his diet, and keeping a detailed diary of everything he took in and everything out, keeping a careful watch on his foods and water, eliminating meds and changing his heartworm treatment two weeks away from the flea treatment, the results stood out. Everytime we used the spot on flea treatment, within several hours he was severely sick again. I cannot believe it took us this long to see it. We were religious with the treatment and every month Hobbes would feel better and have a few good weeks and we would dose him with the treatment and the episodes would begin again. Our vet specialist has recently told us that he did not even need the flea treatment as he lives indoors and only goes out to relieve himself and go on walks which we supervise. We are presently patiently waiting a good three months for the meds to clear his system. So far he has no permanent organ damage and we hope none develops. We feel so guilty for making him so sick each month when we thought we were doing the best for him. When he was about 7 months old, the vet prescribed the treatment monthly and we dutifully purchased and used it and did not even read the package. After discovering it was the spot on treatment that was making him so ill, we read the package and discovered the treatment would last up to 3 months and there were warnings that were so frightening, had we read the package, we would not have used it, especially monthly. Because we were told to use it by the vet, we just accepted it and applied it to our little dog each month. I have reported his illnesses to the manufacturer and also to the EPA. The EPA is responsible for the safety of this product as it is labeled as an insecticide not a medication. My research has resulted in finding that a lot of dogs are being injured and made ill by these spot on flea treatments. We will not using any of these products on Hobbes again and we are hoping there is no permanent damage to him. I hope this helps others who have a sick dog and cannot discover what is wrong with them.
Rosalind & Wayne 5/30/09
Thank you so much for taking time to answer our e-mail. The product is Frontline Plus manufactured by Merial. I plan to call tomorrow and request reimbursement for the expenses. As of this date they amount to $1400. When I spoke to them to report Hobbes illness, they did not indicate that they would help with the vet bills, but I plan to pursue this.. Since Hobbes has been so sick we have not even kept up with the booster vaccinations as we are afraid of what they would do to his system. We had his blood titers tested and of course he was well protected. So why do the vets insists on giving these vaccinations yearly? Another matter to consider. But right now I need to devote all our pursuits to helping dogs who have had serious illnesses due to the spot on flea meds. Thank you again.
Rosalind and Wayne 5/31/09
Hello James, I called frontline manufacturer Merial Labs and spoke to Alicia, who is the Vet Technician in charge of claims and complaints. She is the person I originally spoke to several weeks ago and she had also given me a case #. She denied any culpability and refused to pay any medical bills for Hobbes. She did offer to refund the price of the last pkg of Frontline Plus that I purchased. I refused of course and told her I wanted a full refund of the $2400. to date we had spent on sick visits for Hobbes. I told her this figure did not cover any well treatment or checkups. She denied that Frontline Plus made Hobbes sick. I told her if the package would have warned me of nausea, vomiting and lethargy, I would have discontinued the treatment 2 yrs ago. I asked her why that was not on the package. She replied "the warnings we place on the package are the itching, burning and redness at the spot of application that we incurred during our trials". She said the product had been on the market since 1996 and there were few numbers of illness due to the product. I replied that any or just 1 report of illness should be disclosed. We ended the phone call with the result that I would gather all the vet records and fax or mail to her. Since she heads up the department, it is her job to sit with one of the veterinarians on the staff and go carefully over the records and decide if reimbursement is legitimate. I stated since she heads up the dept. she would just deny the case as she had denied me today on the phone. All the records I could gather up are not going to change her mind. Also, the vet works for Merial and they are not going to admit culpability. I informed her that due to the amount of ill dogs there would eventually be a class action suit and she would have to admit it whether she likes it or not. I plan to pursue this. I have a nephew who is a vet in the state of La. and I am going to discuss this with him this week and see if he has seen adverse effects of the treatment in his practice. I don't know why I haven't discussed the matter with him. I will keep you posted on what happens from here on. Thank you again for establishing the web site.
Rosalind and Wayne 6/1/09
I am very sorry to hear that Merial is refusing to accept responsibility for your dog's illness and veterinary expenses. Several others have told me that Merial refused to accept responsibility for their dog's illnesses, too.
According to Merial, Frontline is the number one animal health product in the world. Veterinarians often claim that it is safe for pets. It's apparently easy to become the number one animal health product in the world if you deny that it causes adverse incidents and adamantly refuse to accept responsibility for them.
James TerBush
Website Administrator
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(Below is a message that Richard posted on The Center for Public Integrity's website, in response to an "open letter" they received from Hartz)
Thanks to the Center for Public Integrity for publishing this “Open Letter”, including your own response to Dr. Marta Draper, Hartz Mountain Corporation. Hartz Mountain is clearly troubled by the very negative public information on flea and tick products containing pesticide ingredients. They vigorously defend the indefensible. To point to other manufacturers and imply that their products are worse than Hartz’ is hardly a credible defense when many thousands of animals are injured and killed each year—many by Hartz’s own products and by their own admission. Hartz may or may not have the most dangerous products on the market—Sergeant’s product containing cyphenothrin has been documented as doing tremendous damage—that’s hardly the point. All of these products injure and kill far too many animals, and by the EPA’s own admission, the cumulative negative effects over time on children is not completely determined. In other words, the risk to infants and children may be unacceptable. Hartz, because of very negative media attention combined with recent EPA announcements, has attempted to stifle discussion on this subject. Their legal department has sent threatening and intimidating letters to NBC, ABC (resulting in a major story being pulled from its national website on April 24th), the Miami Herald, Dr. Patty Khuly, DVM and even private citizens voicing their opinions. The website Dr. Draper referred to in her letter still—to this day—indicates that the EPA Public Advisory lists only Hartz’s cat products and not their dog and puppy products—that’s completely false and they know it. They have even published information on the internet about private citizens that is completely false and defamatory, but more on that at another time. They used the same tactics with the organization “Beyond Pesticides” in the early 2000’s just before the EPA issued a Cancellation Order on their cat and kitten products in 2005—products that injured and killed thousands of animals, according to the EPA. It appears that this company, owned by the Japanese chemical company Sumitomo, will do whatever is necessary—including preventing a Constitutional right to free speech—to prevent discussion and, most certainly, awareness of the dangers. Frankly, The Center for Public Integrity contributed a wonderful public service with their reports on this issue. You should be commended. The depth and substance, attention to detail, combined with data and facts resulted in an outstanding piece of journalism. Please do not let Hartz Mountain or any other manufacturer attempt to intimidate you as you do your good work. When the public becomes truly informed of the damage being done to animals and families, the regulatory agencies will have no choice but to take action. Thank you, again, for your outstanding journalism and for having the courage to speak up.
Richard 5/30/09
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(Below is email that I sent to the website administrator of www.HartzVictims.org)
Hi Josh,
I wanted to pass this onto you, just in case you hadn't seen it. Hartz recently sent a
five-page "open letter" to The Center for Public Integrity, alleging they printed inaccurate and misleading information about Hartz in their December, 2008, series of articles on pet pesticide products.
Please pass this information onto your readers. I am concerned that Hartz may "request" that The Center for Public Integrity remove the articles in question from their website. Hartz' recent attempts to stifle legitimate concerns about their products, and pet pesticides in general, is a dangerous threat to free speech.
Sincerely,
James TerBush
Website Administrator
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.
