Update 5/04/06: Hamish has not had ANY seizures since we stopped using Bio Spot
46 months ago, and appears to have made a full recovery. We are thankful for each day
that he is with us.
Farnam reimbursed us for Hamish's medical expenses, provided that we accept it as "FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT FOR THE ALLEGED ADVERSE REACTION TO BIOSPOT."
Here are some of the e-mail 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.
CAUTION: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice. Please consult with your veterinarian before giving any treatment to your animals.
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To all fellow pesticide victims,
Hi All,
I have read many of your stories in shock and have experienced a nightmare of my own. I have enclosed a copy (below) of my letter to the EPA for you to read. I intend to follow up with other agencies in my area and I am also going to send a copy of this to PETA as well. If any of you have any additional information or suggestions please email me at djstone5@yahoo.com
I only wish I'd found this site before I nearly killed my pets with this crap. They are home tonight but I've been told it could be 3 weeks before we know if they'll make it.
Thank you,
Deb 11/12/05
To Anyone Who Cares,
Last night 11-11-05, I put Bio Spot Flea and Tick control on our 2 TWO HEALTHY cats and went to bed. I woke up to an absolute horror show. I MEAN HORROR!!!!!!!!!
I heard a horrible thud and asked my husband to check it out. He started screaming for me to get in the bathroom now!! I went in only to find my son's 2-year-old cat "Princess" seizing violently on my bathroom floor. Her head was arched back in violent racking seizures and paws flailing wildly in the air. Vomit was everywhere as well as diarrhea, pee, and blood on everything because she was biting down on her tongue from the seizing and unspeakable foaming from her mouth. I went into shock and couldn't believe what I was witnessing. I picked her stiff and seizing body up off the floor and ran to my kitchen counter to try and get a better idea of what was going on. My husband placed a trash bag on the counter and I laid her down. She continued to seize violently and gasped for air. This is my son's and his girlfriend's cat so I yelled to my son to come and help. The terrified and traumatized look on his face mirrored my husbands and mine. Thank God our daughter was sleeping at a friend's house and did not have to endure the horror of watching our precious cats suffer so horribly. My husband called the Banfield Pet Hospital and they said to bring her in right away. I didn't think her seizing could get any worse but when I tried to wipe her mouth so she could breath she actually began like a running in place on her side and made sounds of death that even Steven Spielberg couldn't produce. While I lifted her into a pet carrier my elderly mother began screaming from her bedroom. Our 8 yr. old cat "Oreo" was lying on the floor seizing, vomiting and foaming at the mouth just like "Princess". Dear God, do you have any idea how absolutely horrifying it is to have not one but two members of your pet family dying before you and your child's eyes? I knew once I saw "Oreo" that it must have been the Bio Spot flea treatment that "I", "ME" had put on them thinking I was doing something right. Now, we needed to rush both of our cats to the hospital. My son and his friend jumped in his car with "Princess" and my husband and I took our car with "Oreo" who was dying in my arms as we rushed to the pet hospital. Both cats continued to seize, vomit and foam all the way to the hospital. "Oreo" looked at me with his eyes wide open and looked as if he were begging me to make it stop. Once at the pet hospital they were taken right in and treated by Dr. Augusto who is a wonderful veterinarian. We were then taken into a room to wait to hear if they were going to live or die. After what seemed to be an eternity, the doctor came into the room and informed us that the Bio Spot had poisoned them. They were both suffering the deadly effects of the toxic chemical pesticide, which is used in the flea treatment. He then proceeded to tell us that they might not make it and if they do survive this they may still have suffered permanent liver damage from this pesticide in the Bio Spot.
He then shocked me when he said he sees this "ALL THE TIME"!!!! How can this continue? How in the world can this deadly product be deemed safe and for use on pets if it is this deadly? This is a regular occurrence in the pet world. This is NOT just a case here or a case there. There are thousands of pet owners who have experience this, THOUSANDS. Once he delivered his news and returned to care for our cats, the nurse came into the room to give us an estimate for treatment. Today would cost me more than half of my husband's bi-weekly check to the tune of $689.00. MORE THAN HALF!! Not to mention we are not done because they have to go back on Monday for a follow up visit if they live through this and more expense if they make it three weeks from now for more blood tests and further exams. Heaven help us if there is permanent damage because then I'll have to decide if I can afford to continue with treatment or have them euthanized after all this anyway. We live paycheck to paycheck and this has put us in a world of financial hurt. We live in New England and need to buy oil for heat before it snows and now that will have to wait or maybe we just won't eat for two weeks until our next paycheck. This is a direct result of the careless greed of Bio Spot and they should be required to pay for the expensive hospital care that we have been forced to pay to keep our pets alive after using their horrible and toxic product. You can't even imagine how devastated and guilty I was feeling, thinking that I had probably killed our pets by using this crap. This is absolutely unconscionable on Bio Spot's part selling something that they know and will not admit too, can cause and has caused this type of deadly reaction. I'm sure they must be laughing all the way to the bank
at pet owner's expense. This is reminiscent of the tobacco companies who for years said that cigarette smoking doesn't cause cancer and look how that turned out. Do we have to wait for more pets and possibly humans to die from this toxin? While I was in the pet hospital waiting for the doctor I began experiencing a bloody nose that wouldn't stop for several minutes. I have never had a bloody nose for any unexplained reasons before but suddenly I had one. I can't help but wonder if I was also having a reaction to this toxin as well. Yes, I did get it on my hands and yes I did wash my hands after but what if... Consumers should not have to worry about killing their pets and possibly themselves because they want
to rid pets of fleas and ticks. If it's not safe then for God sake take it off the shelves. The EPA approved this toxic substance for use and now it needs to be removed from use. Why didn't the FDA get involved in this process? I know that thousands of other pet owners have asked for your help and now so am I. I implore you to act in a conscientious and responsible manner and help me with this devastating and expensive result from using Bio Spot. This has been an extremely traumatic and expensive experience for our entire family, one we will never forget.
Sincerely,
Deborah
Auburn, Massachusetts
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I was doing some research and came across your website. My husband and I have used Bio Spot brand
of flea/tick control for a number of years. We "thought" without incidence. However, after reading your site and many others, I've concluded that we probably caused my 3 1/2 yr old mini-dachshund to suffer a traumatic death.
Frankie (my dog) was about 2 1/2 when he started suffering from seizures. At first there was no rhyme or reason for the one time siezure. I thought back to anything he'd eaten or ingested and there was nothing new. Only I had bathed him and my other dachshund using Adams Flea and Tick shampoo and Adam's Flea and Tick Spray. We'd also used the Bio Spot but had many times before so I really and truly thought it was the Adam's. I stopped using it on both dogs even though only Frankie seemed to have been affected. Frankie was about 11 lbs and my other dachshund about 20 lbs. Prior to the seizure Frankie was diagnosed with type A & B hemophilia at our local vet school. (I live in MS) There is no treatment and no cure for hemophilia. We were to just watch him in case of injury because if injured he'd need a blood transfusion.
After a period of time (over a year) the siezures began to pop up a little more frequently. He began to urinate a lot. He seemed agitated and grouchy which was not like him at all. We were having to take him out in the night sometimes between 8-12 times (between the hours of like 9 pm and 7 am). Again, I took him to the vet school and we ruled out many causes. They ran blood tests and did all types of research but since he wasn't having seizures while he was there, they couldn't determine very much. They'd decided he was the right age and right breed for epilepsy and were about to start treating him for such when he took a grave turn for the worst. He began seizing uncontrollably. His liver enzymes were also slightly elevated. At first the meds they used helped but the seizures became more frequent and more intense. They called me to make the 100 mile trip (one way) to see him and to discuss our options. I wasn't ready to give up on him and my husband and I had decided no matter what the cost, we'd do what we had to do. We'd made a committment to our animals and we were willing to go the extra mile. Shortly after I left work on my journey to the Vet school I received a call from one of the vets saying that Frankie had gone into cardiac arrest. They were doing all they could and would call me back. I drove in a panic as fast as I could. 30 minutes later his vet called and told me he was alive but barely. I asked her if she could please just keep him alive until I got there via life support or whatever and she advised she'd do her best.
When I arrived I was taken back to see him. He was on a breathing machine and had begun bleeding into his eyes. With his hemophilia, I knew this was not a positive sign. After speaking with several members of the team there at the vet school, I was allowed to make my final decision and decided it was best to end his suffering. I held him in my arms as he peacefully drifted off to sleep. I cried my eyes out, I apologized to him for giving up on his so quickly and I called my husband to tell him it was the most difficult decision I'd ever had to make. I took days off work and riddled with guilt I couldn't even get out of bed. I was sure I'd made the wrong decision.
Before I lef the vet school, the vets there asked me if they could do an autopsy as a learning experience for the students and because they were so perplexed by his case. He had been a real challenge to even the head vets at the vet school. Since I was having him cremated, I agreed they could do their testing. I wanted to do whatever I could to prevent this from happening to anyone else's animal. I got a call a few days later saying that I'd absolutely done the right thing. He'd never have recovered. He had severe brain damage. The cause wasn't really known. He just had very few "normal" brain cells left in his little head. They weren't sure if it was a genetic issue or if it was caused by something. Since he'd had hemophilia and it was a genetic issue, they ruled his death a genetic brain disease.
After reading all the stuff on the Bio Spot, I now believe this is what killed my dog. I contacted the vet and she said it was very likely since he was already in a weakened condition from the hemophilia. Because the Permethrin was going straight to his already weakened blood stream, it was probably causing even worse reactions in his body than in that of a healthy dog. They'd never thought to ask me if I'd used something like this since I had told them about the Adams. They truly believed it was probably a genetic issue until I mentioned this to them today.
I've had Frankie cremated and so I know there isn't much I can do now in terms of filing a claim. I can think back to at least 3 occassions when he had a seizure within 24 hours of the Bio Spot being administered. Again, I thought it was the Adam's and then epilepsy and it might have been. I just NEVER dreamed it was the Bio Spot. My other dog and my husband's labs have never had a single adverse reaction in all the years we've used it. We've continued to use it in the months following Frankie's death. Until today...
You don't have to share my story if you don't want. I just wanted to thank you for making me aware of this situation. I'm extremely saddened that I may have contributed to my dog's suffering but so glad that I now have the knowledge to NOT use these products again.
Julie 11/15/05
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Hi... My cat had a terrible reaction to Revolution. Shortly after application she became listless, began vomiting and her eyes swelled shut so I rushed her to the vet immediately. She spent the weekend there, and the vet told me that cats do indeed sometimes suffer such reactions after being treated with systemic pesticides like Revolution. After treatment and rehydration, she recovered after about a week. Fortunately she had no liver or kidney damage.
The problem as I see it is weighing the benefits with the risks.. I mean, our animals can die just as easily from liver problems and other complications after getting a tick bite -- so if you live in a high risk
area, you have to do SOMETHING. My animals and I are from Alaska originally, where pests are a lot less prevalent. We never had any problems, so we didn't take the risk. But we recently moved to South Africa, which has a lot more biting insects and in this region, Babesia is an extremely common problem. In areas of the US it is a problem too, and is just one of the deadly diseases spread by ticks. After researching the matter, I found that ticks and mites-- and in fact any member of that family including spiders-- are repelled by sulphur. The way we've been controlling ticks and other pests at my house is this way:
1. we made a high walled-in, cat proof yard, in which our eight cats and one large dog can roam and play. Ticks don't fly and they're not very athletic. They basically sit in the grass and wait for an opportunity to latch on, so keeping your pet home will help.
2. we cut the grass very short and rake it up vigorously.
3. we periodically sprinkle the grass liberally with powdered sulphur-- which is also used in organic farming for pest control. You can get sulphur at most pharmacies and stores that have organic gardening supplies. We let the sulphur sit for a day or so and then water the grass well. We also sprinkle sulphur outside and on top of the wall. You may have to treat the yard a few times initially to be sure the pests have fled. True, the lawn smells like sulphur, but we haven't had one single tick incident, where before we had many.
4. we got rid of the carpets and went with hard woods and tiles, vacuum frequently, wash blankets and bedding and curtains in hot soapy water. We like to add eucalyptus extract to the rinse water. We generally keep things as un-flea friendly as possible.
5. we keep the house scrubbed clean with herbal house cleaners (Enchantrix brand), peppermint Dr. Bronners soap, basil extract, vinegar, and baking soda.
6. we use citronella, lemongrass, geranium and other essential oils which make the house smell nice and further discourage bugs.
We are currently flea and tick free. So far, this seems to be working.
Jennifer 11/17/05
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We have always used Advantage products on our pets. Approximately 3 months ago on a Saturday my partner and I were picking up Cat Food in Pet Smart and she picked up a package of Bio Spot Flea For Cats at the same time. We have a couple of outdoor stray cats that we have tamed and had spayed that we have come to love. We also have 2 full time indoor cats. We put the Bio Spot on Katie one of the outdoor cats, because she comes indoors to eat. She spent the night indoors that night and in the morning Lynn found her in full blown seizures, she had lost bowel and bladder control and before we even had time to get her to our Vet.. she died in Lynn's arms. Since we live in the country and she was more outside than inside we just assumed had gotten into something outside. We buried her and grieved for her, but did not connect the Bio Spot.
Two days ago I gave Callie my 2 1/2 yr. old Calico a bath and I found a flea on her, just one flea. I told Lynn about the flea and we decided we should put the Bio Spot on Callie and Shai our 7 mo. old domestic. I was doing housework and normally the cats are under our feet at all times. About 3 hours after putting on the Bio Spot I saw Shai laying down and there was a clear foamy liquid coming out of her mouth. Her head was jerking. I screamed for Lynn and picked Shai up thinking that she was choking on something. When I picked her up, her entire body went into full blown seizures. I swept her mouth and throat and they were clear and so did Lynn. She took her from me and I called my Vet. and thank God this was the night they stayed late at the clinic. We got her there in about 5min. We told the Dr.we thought she might be choking and then we told him the only other thing different that we had done differently was the Bio Spot. The entire Staff's heads all looked up in a panicked look and they grabbed her and the Dr. said bathe her right away. They then medicated her and stabilized her enough for us to be able to transport her to a Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care center. This place was in another town about 30 min. away and before we got there she started seizing again. When we got there she was taken to the back and kept. The Dr. there told us to go home and bathe Callie in Dawn Dish Liquid and to pick up Shai in the morning and bring her back to our regular Vet. and she may have to stay there and be on I.V. medication for maybe 3 days. When we got home I couldn't find Callie and when I did , her head was twitching and her eyes were blinking rapidly and she tried to walk, but her gait was very unstable. I bathed her while Lynn called the Emergency Clinic. Here we go again! We finally got home about 1:30 in the morning and it hit me - Bio Spot Killed Katie! We have never been so angry in our entire lives. We entrusted these innocent creatures that we love so dearly to a product that is being sold with no regard to the consequences. The monetary loss of nearly $ 700.00 if we can't recoup it from the company will be hard for us as we are both disabled and live on a fixed income, but as long as our pets are safe we will manage. Katrina was bad enough, but this was worse. I don't want to just complain about what Bio Spot did to out pets I want it to be taken off the market.
I don't know what to do to make this happen, but I'm willing to write to anyone I can. If anyone that reads
this story knows how to go about getting something done, please let me know.
Annette 11/19/05
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I have had one of the biggest nightmares of my life this week. I was putting up Christmas decorations and seen one of my cats scratching and noticed a flea. I grabbed a tube of bio spot and put it on the first one, and, when our other cat came in I gave him some as well. Within five minutes he was shaking and foaming at the mouth. I looked at the tube and realized I had put my dogs flea product on them. I washed them off and stayed up all night with them to make sure they would live. I really thought a couple of times that the one who had such a horrible reaction had died. The next morning, I found an Animial Hospital that was open on Sunday. For two days they didn't know whether he would make it. So, as anyone could imagine I was devistated knowing that I did this to my cats and could not stop crying from the guilt. Thank God our prayers were granted and he lived. We brought him home with us last night after a $450 bill.
I read someone elses horrible story that lost 3 cats at one time. I can not imagine how she must feel and I can not see how this can even be on the market with so many deaths and side effects happening. I have always been cautious, so I thought, and take good care of my pets. I worked for four veterinarians and knew to always be cautious when giving your pets medication, but I never would have dreamed this could have happened. If there is anything I can do to help get these pesticides off the market please let me know and I will do my part to try and stop this insanity.
Caryn 11/23/05
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My 10 1/2 year old golden retriever began having seizures about 2-3 weeks after using Revolution for the first time. I had used Frontline or Advantage in the past without complications and since he didn't have much of a flea problem and was getting older, I didn't use any of the medicine for about 4 months. He was his usual self and did a long hike up in the mountains and when we returned, I applied Frontline. Two-three weeks afterward, he began having seizures and has never been the same. I took him to a vet, a vet neurologist, and called Pfizer and they all reassured me it wasn't the medicine. I reapplied the Frontline a couple of month later and he had another seizure. Since stopping the Frontline he seems to be doing better, but has lost some of his short term memory and seems unsteady when walking.
We are shopping for a puppy and I was interested if many other people have had the same experience with their dogs?
Don Shook 11/26/05
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I've been reading over this website for about an hour now, and I see that it deals mostly with BioSpot Flea Treatment. But my experience is with a different brand, Sergeant's.
It all started last night (11/28/05). Without my knowledge, my brother treated my 6 month old male tabby, named Thor, with a spot on treatment by Sergeant's, that was intended for use on dogs only. I don't think he realized it was for dogs only when he applied it to the cat. I do know that he would never have done something to harm Thor, because he dearly loved that kitten.
At any rate, I was awakened at 1 a.m. by my frantic brother, who was carrying Thor in his arms. He told me that he had put the flea treatment on the cat's neck, as per direction, and that now Thor wasn't acting quite right. I quickly realized what had happened, and the direness of the situation, when he told me what he had done. I told him that the treatment was for dogs only, and that he had now poisoned our kitten, which sent him into hysterics.
So for the next few hours I tended to Thor, bathing him several times to no avail. He just seemed to be getting worse and worse, and I was starting to lose it myself, holding him and rocking him back and forth while he convulsed horribly and uncontrollably. It seemed like he never even stopped having seizures, even for a second, he just shook and shook, this blank look in his eyes. He also seemed to be choking on his tongue (?). At this point I am hysterical myself, having raised Thor from a tiny baby (he was abandoned in front of my house as a baby), and now being powerless to stop whatever what happening to him. I have no car due to an auto accident, and no money to take him to the vet, so I was completely helpless! Poor Thor just got progressively worse, losing bowel and bladder control, and at times literally jumping out of my arms and running blindly through the house, banging his head into walls and furniture. It was truly horrifying to witness! I cried and prayed over him for hours on end, calling up Poison Control, who told me to take him to the vet immediately, in which case I had to explain my situation and tell them that that was impossible. If I could have gotten him there I would have!! I felt so horribly guilty because I felt like I should be doing something but couldn't...which only made me cry harder.
So to make a long story short, in the morning I had to have Thor put to sleep. I don't even want to know what kind of neurological damage he suffered after seizuring for that long, much less think about how much pain he must have endured while I could do nothing but hold him and pray. It was the single most terrible experience I had ever gone through. So please, please, do not use this type of flea treatment!! I know that I can't really blame the company because my brother mistakenly used the 'medicine' wrong, but still, after reading all of your stories here I have to wonder, if it would have been the same type of treatment, only designed for a cat, would Thor still have gone through the same ordeal? I don't even want to think about it. All I know is, I have lost one of my babies and I am devastated Thank God my brother didn't treat the other cats!
I offer my deepest sympathy to all of you who have gone through situations such as this, and lost a member of your family because of this.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY BABY THOR....11-29-05.
Ravenica 11/30/05
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This has nothing to do with bio spot, but with advantix. I have had my Akita for five years. Ever since he was 6 weeks old, I took him to the Vet to get bathed, to get all the shots or deworming he would need including, flea and tick infestation. The Vet put advantage on him. I had no problem with this since I put it on my other dog. Within a few hours, my dog started throwing up, very nauseous, did not want to eat. To make a long story short this has been going on for five years, every 4 to 6 weeks. It finally hit me, what was the only thing that I was doing in this time period. So I decided on Nov. 28th, just to put a small amount of advantix on him (not the whole vile). Within 8 hours he started throwing up. Is anyone out there having this experience? If you go on the website for advantix there is no [mention of] adverse reactions to advantage or advantix.
KJ 11/30/05
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I put this product [Bio Spot for Dogs] on my kitten yesterday. She has had to have emergency treatment
at the animal hospital for 24 hours last night. As well as she is now in the vets getting more emergency treatment. So far the expense has been right at 4 hundred dollars to save our animals life. Do not know
the damage she is going to suffer because of this.
Susan 12/1/05
The EPA called me yesterday afternoon. I explained my whole story and a man named Steve Parker
will be coming to my home Monday around 10 a.m. He agrees that there should be better warnings on the packages. Radar came home last night has to go back today to the Dr for more treatment. She falls down and is very upset. I hope we can make a difference for other animals. I think it is pretty neat how I got straight through to EPA with such an instant response as well. If you wish I will let you know how the meeting goes.
Susan 12/2/05
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We had a German Short-haired Pointer named Sammy who died because of applying just ONE single application of BioSpot. His violent seizures started 20 minutes after the application - we immediately called the Vet who directed us to wash him off with soap and water. From the time it took us to bring him to the side of the house - he had had another violent seizure. He had a total of 12 seizures within a four day period. Testing showed he was positive for lyme disease as well (which, according to the vet, could potentially have caused seizures - but at the same token had killed numerous cats in our area).
The seizures were classic symptoms to everyone else's - foaming at the mouth, arched back, stiffened legs, heaving chest, "running" on the floor....long story short, he ended up on Phenabarbitol twice a day -
which he in fact, was doing well on. About 20 days later though, his seizure came back furiously and even more violent than the rest, and lasted almost 40 minutes - during this seizure he went blind and in the
time it took to get him to the overnight emergency veterinarian, he had a fever of 108.
Our only recourse was to put him asleep - the probable deterioration of the lining of his stomach from the fever and the brain damage along with the blindness was just too much for my children to take.
All this in just ONE short month - our Sammy was only 1 year and 3 months old.
I have contacted the EPA and reported this event to them. I have also contacted Farnam Pet Products - with which I was transferred to the Risk Manager - only to leave a message on her machine. As of December 9th, I have not heard back from them.
We need to get this product OFF the market.
Carol 12/9/05
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My Maltese has been having seizures and I never made the connection until I looked up seizures on line and found this web page. I have been using Revolution on all three of my animals. The cat has just developed a lump and the larger dog a lump also. I thought maybe the pest control service could be a problem and canceled the service until I can figure out this. I will discontinue the Revolution but now I wonder what about the heart worm and flea prevention issue. I am so confused about what to do now.
Kim 12/15/05
Just an update. I called Pfizer and spoke to their vet after taking down a lot of information on all of my animals they will make a report and will refund partial of the money spent on the unopened Revolution. They assigned a case number to each of my three animals and will be calling my former vet for more info.
I thought I would let you know in case it can help someone else to know they were pretty cooperative and thorough.
Kim 12/29/05
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My dog of 12 years just recently starting having seizures. She has had two in the past week. Originally, I attributed the seizures to her age, but as I was searching for info about seizures, I came across your site about BioSpot. We gave her a treatment over a month ago, and I wonder even though a month went by without anything—could these seizures be linked to using this product? Who knows, she may have had several other seizures when we were in another room or during the night? Have any other people experienced a "delayed" reaction?
Gary 12/15/05
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My Maltese/Bishon had a very serious reaction to the Bio Spot Flea & Tick Control. 20 minutes after applying she began seizuring and convulsing. I had no idea it was due to the flea medication. After a visit to the Vet and some medication, four days later she seems to be doing fine. It was a very frightening experience and I am just furious that this product continues to be sold. No where on the packaging does it mention that the ingredients in the product can attack the dogs nervous system and cause severe reactions or even death.
Cathy 12/19/05
I did contact Farnam and they told me exactly what you said. I also contacted the EPA and filed a complaint. The EPA informed me that several other products that contain the same ingredients as the
Bio Spot have been pulled and are no longer being manufactured, but not the Bio Spot. I think that is absurd!!!!
There has to be something else we can do to make sure this product is taken off the market...
Cathy 12/19/05
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I just came across your website today after we have spent two days trying desperately to figure out why
our 2 ½ year old boxer passed away yesterday. We used BioSpot treatment about 6 weeks ago and
then switched to the shampoo as well. I used it on Brutus three times, up until a couple weeks ago. He
started feeling sick and throwing up last week a day or two before Christmas. By the time Tuesday rolled around we were calling the vet to find out what the problem was. They ran some blood tests and found out that he had a massive kidney infection and was in renal failure.
He was admitted on Wednesday and immediately put on IV fluids and antibiotics. Unfortunately by Friday, his body functions had begun to shut down and he was beyond help. I went to visit him and say good bye and then sat with him while we put him to sleep.
In your experience, does this sound like the flea treatment would be a factor in an otherwise healthy dog?
If so, where do we go from here? I know nothing will bring him back, but I wouldn't want anyone else to go through this.
Any thoughts would be helpful.
Ron 12/31/05
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Beware everyone that has pets and uses FRONTLINE PLUS!
My experience is very recent as of yesterday 1-3-2006. I too have just witnessed three horrifying grand-mal seizures by my dog that were caused by FRONTLINE PLUS.
On Monday the 2nd of January 2006 I applied the prescribed treatment per pound on my pet dog Kusko (a very healthy 4 1/2 year old Terrier/German Shepard mix dog 48 lbs). I have only once over the summer given my dog this same treatment and never noticed any adverse affects such as a seizure in the summer of 2005. The next day January 3rd, I let Kusko go outside as the weather here in Northern California has been wet. As I looked back to my bewildered amazement I noticed Kusko violently trying to shake something from his throat (as it seemed). As I got closer to Kusko I noticed something was very wrong and did not know what it might be, perhaps something was caught in his throat, his jaws were locked open and foaming and blood was in his mouth. His eyes were rolling back, and he flopped to the ground thrashing his legs and neck, urinating as well. I then thought he would die from what I was not sure of, but perhaps a seizure. Within about three minutes he snapped out of it and began to breath again -Thank God! What a horrifying moment!!
He has had two more after that time, one an hour later (after I brought him inside and cleaned him up), and another last night at 1:20 am. I have washed him up in the tub and hopefully this has help take out the FRONTLINE DEATH from his skin. I called Merial this morning and have reported the story. They told me that FRONTLINE doesn't have any adverse affects that would cause this reaction because it doesn't enter the bloodsteam through the skin. I told them that my dog grooms himself very frequently and probably absorbed it by licking his hair and skin. This should be a 'no brainer' for FRONTLINE as they know all dogs lick their fur! A guess this study didn't make it in their research!
I would caution everyone who thinks that FRONTLINE PLUS is safe for their pet to NOT use it unless they are willing to risk death for their beloved pet. DO NOT USE FRONTLINE PLUS! This product is not safe as many think, being prescribed in every veterinary office around the country! I noticed that most of the posted experiences were caused by other brands other than FRONTLINE, but I firmly believe that ALL of these type of severe "FAST-ACTING" flea and tick medicines are very toxic and should not be used on any animal - dogs or cats.
Thank you for your website James TerBush! I would have never been able to determine what caused my dogs seizures until I read your article.
Christian from California 1/4/06
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I just read the effects on your website concerning the flea and tick product containing pyrethrin used on dogs. I am wondering if perhaps a product made by Farnam Horse Products was not a contributing factor in our beloved shetland pony's death. We live in Houston Texas and mosquitoes are an ongoing problem.
I used a bug zapper and sticky hanger traps in his stall but unless I sprayed him quite heavily with a mosquito spray with the higher amounts of pyrethrins in it, he would suffer a lot of bites. I tried using other sprays with natural ingredients but none worked. Over a period of a year he would have some head
shaking that was a tremor. He was under the care of a vet and on the day he had to be put to sleep, he
was currently up to date on all his shots and our vet was extremely puzzled as to the cause. Symtomatic was encephilitus but no fever which ruled that out. He wanted to do an autopsy but we chose not to because we wanted him buried on our farm and that would not have been allowable. After reading this article I wonder since he was sprayed daily and heavily over a a long period of time if this was the cause.
I recently purchased a six months supply of frontline flea and tick vials to be used down the back of our newly acquired bloodhound puppy. I have not used it yet. I am now not sure I will.
Sandy 1/9/06
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I have treated my dog, little silky Terrier 18 months old female (4.5 kg) with Advantix (4-10 kg dose) yesterday .
Today, since the morning, she does not want to walk - stays in one spot and does not want to move until I will pick her up and looks like she is "frozen". Than suddenly she starts walking and "freezes" again. She
is not well and looks like Advantix had a reaction on her nervous system.
We went to a vet today and he did not know what is wrong, gave her anti-inflammatory injection (and the
bill to me) and said to watch her. He was not sure that this is a bad reaction to Advantix.
I bathed her in the afternoon to wash the remains of the poison.
I don't know what to do and I [don't] know if vet will help her tomorrow.
Please help and let me know what should I do?
I've adopted this dog two weeks ago after loosing our beloved dachshund to a disc injury a month ago.
I can't loose this one!
Diana 1/15/06
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I wish I had found this site this morning. (1-17-06). My husband had put bio-spot on our dog last night. My cats were scratching alot, and we are in between pays. I was told by someone who swares by it that as long as I only use a drop or two, I could use the same for the cats. Well, I did just that. I used one small drop on my Fancy, and two small drops on Baby because her coat is longer and thicker then Fancy's.
They both started shaking real bad. I called a vet. They said to bathe both cats at least 3 times with DAWN or TIDE. All I had was TIDE. After giving them both 3 baths, Baby(the bigger more furrier one) started to calm down. But Fancy's shakes kept going, she could not walk very well. This went on at least 30 minutes after Baby had calmed. Then, all of asudden, she had a grand mal seizure. It is now 1:31 AM on 1-18-06, about 10 hours after I put that stuff on them. Both cats seem to be doing ok, but I'm not sure whether it's over or not after reading some of the e-mails on your site.
Please say a prayer for Fancy and Baby. And Thank you again for your web site. If you do, or know of anyone doing a petition to get these items off the market, please let me know.
Anonymous 1/18/06
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This is what I have sent to the U.S EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, please feel free to use it on your site if you'd like.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs (Mail Code 7509C)
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
E-mail: opp-web-comments@epa.gov
I found this address on a site I was reading about the dangers of flea and tick sprays on dogs. What I have read has filled me with guilt over the death of my 8 1/2 year old Boston Terrier, Buster. I feel I killed my best friend out of ignorance. He had been completely healthy all his life or so I thought. We lived in an area where I didn't really have to worry about fleas, so I never used flea control on him for the first 7 years of his life. We did live where there were lots of mosquitoes and put him on heartworm preventative pills for about 6 months when he was 3 years old. I didn't associate his drooling uncontrolably to the pills, I just thought he'd been eating slugs or stink bugs while tied outside.
After we moved to a different home, we noticed that it was infested with fleas both in the house and in the yard. I bought Adams Flea Spray and sometimes the spot stuff from Wal Mart for dogs and used it on him. Again the drooling started along with his noticeable look of feeling bad all over and his head would even feel hot. I started giving him baths in Dawn dishwashing liquid because I thought the fleas were driving him crazy. Sometimes he would sit beside the bathtub whining, but I guess he knew the spray was making him sick and wanted it washed off. He seemed to feel better after the bath within an hour or two and by the next day seemed ok.
After I moved again, I noticed this yard was also ridden with fleas and bought Buster a Harts Flea collar; within 2 days he had his first seizure which lasted about 10 minutes. Not realizing it was the collar, I left it on him and he had at least 4 more seizures within the next 2 days. I took off the collar and the seizures eventually stopped within a day or two. I decided to try something different and bought the Sargents Flea Shampoo; he had another spell the next day. A week later, I gave him another bath and he had 3 siezures that night. I was still thinking it was from his age like the vet said. (I trusted the doc knew what he was talking about with the older dogs.)
I took him to the vet over them and after a negative blood test he put him on heartworm preventative pills, Iverheart Plus and within 2 days had 3 more seizures. After another visit, he was put on Phenobarbitol, 64.8 mg, half a pill twice a day. After the liver culture a week later, the vet assured me the meds weren't hurting him. I asked if he might have a brain tumor or something and he said dogs his age just tend to have the fits, or he may just be sensitive to the toxins in the flea control poisons . On the same visit he recommended the Frontline Flea and Tick spray. Buster did fine on the first go round of the Frontline, he didn't have a seizure for 3 or 4 days. That weekend he had at least 8 more spells. The vet never examined him for anything else.
The vet told me that the Phenobarb could cause liver damage if given in the wrong dosage but said it seemed to be doing fine and Buster wouldn't need another blood culture for a year. He even told me that if he had the fits while on the pills to give him another half a pill. I figured he did need them since I forgot to give him his nightly dosage once and he had a seizure that night. After about 2 weeks he started running away from me when I was trying to give it to him. It was like he knew those pills were hurting him. I noticed he started drinking more and more water and was hungry all the time. He was even gaining weight, or swelling from the steroids, but I got conserned when he had to start going out at least every 10-15 minutes to urinate. I asked the vet about that to and he said it was probably due to the seizures in a certain part of his brain causing the insatiable appetite and thirst. I asked if the Phenobarb was causing probs with his kidneys and he said not likely. Again, no examination to rule that out.
Well, on Monday before Christmas this past year, I gave him his monthly dose of Iverhart Plus like the vet said I could do because it was safe with the other meds...he seemed fine except within an hour he was running to the door every 5 minutes to go pee, he went to the basement which was one of his signs before a spell and then laid on the couch. Within 5 minutes he went into a severe seizure and started foaming at the mouth really bad. I put him in the floor so he wouldn't fall off and hurt himself and he just kept foaming and stiffening his legs out and he sounded as if he was choking on fluids. He got up after about 10 minutes and starting pacing all over while spitting foam every where. I litterarly had to go behind him with a mop, that's how bad it was. I called the 'on call vet' and asked what to do, he said give him another half tab of Phenobarb and he should be ok, if not give him another one a few hours later. I gave him one and he got worse. He said since I was so far away I could wait until morning to bring him in if I still needed to. I had to eventually take him to the basement because it got so bad and all he would do was go in circles constantly. I went back upstairs and he would try to follow me up and would almost fall down the steps so I put up a barrocade to keep him down there. After a while I went back down and he was jerking to the left over and over again while going in circles, almost like he was trying to get to whatever was hurting him but the jerking wouldn't stop. He would jerk so hard I was scared he break his back or something. I had to hold him after he did the circle thing for what seemed like 2 hrs, which I think it was. I couldn't get him to lay down at all. I finally held him down to get him to rest and he started going in circles on his hip, over and over. Finally I got him to lay down while stll jerking. I figured by now he had to be exhausted. Sorry this is so long but I've got to let you know ALL that went on with him.
I noticed after keeping him down about 5 minutes he was breathing harder and he almost choked to death 3 times on the fluids almost pouring out of his mouth by then. I told the vet he acted like he had been poisoned but he said it was just the seizure, more than likely...anyway when I tried to stand him up, he couldn't stand at all by then. It was like his legs had given out. He never stood up again. I stayed up with him all night, wiping foam and fluids off of his face. I tried giving him water in the corner of his mouth through a straw but it was like he couldn't swallow it. I knew he had to be getting dehydrated. By 7 a.m. that morning I had to get a couple of hours of sleep before I could drive him the 45 minutes to the vet hospital. He either drowned in his own fluids or the seizure took its toll on him because he died on the way there on Tueday before Christmas. Believe it or not, this was his favorite time of year because he loved opening his presents and always got so excited. We buried him with his unopened gifts. It didn't seem right not putting them in with him. My kids and grandkids were all terribly hurt over his death too. He was a family member to us all!
The only reason I didn't take him to the vet sooner was because I honestly didn't think he'd make the trip that night and I knew he would probably die in the hospital alone with no one watching him when he did go. I couldn't handle that at that time. I pulled over to the side of the road and held him while he passed and they wouldn't have done that for him there.
I don't know the actual cause of his death, but I do know he was healthy until I started him on the Iverhart Plus, flea control sprays and shampoos. Everything I read on that site gave almost the same exact symptoms Buster had. He hadn't even shown signs of aging until I started using this stuff on him. I thought I was doing good for him because the fleas were making him miserable. Isn't there something that can be done about these poisons killing our pets? I mean he was an AKC registered, full blooded Boston! He got his vaccines for what he was supposed to along with his rabbies shots. I did what I thought was right but I feel I ended up killing my own dog. He even tried letting me know what I was giving him was hurting him and I couldn't see it until it was too late.
I have mourned my pet as if he was my child. He would've been 9, Feb 14th and I had him since he was 4 weeks old. He was my child. He was my constant companion while my husband was on the road and now he's gone. Only those who have lost a loved pet like this knows how I feel and the hurt I have gone through. Not a day goes by I don't see him or miss him terribly. I know it won't bring him back, but isn't there anything that can be done to prevent this to others in the future?
Here's the site I found the info on... http://www.elversonpuzzle.com/biospotlettersv9.html . Maybe someone should read these sites and see how many other pets have died over these poisons we use trustingly that were recommended by our veterinarians.
I'm sorry I went on so long but I hope someone will read this and have some compassion over what we are going through,and all for the sake of a dollar. Even the vets need to be informed as to what they are doing because they may not even realize it themselves. Thank you for reading this and I hope you can help in some way. If I don't hear from someone about this, I will just continue to write others until something happens.
Brenda 1/18/06
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I also had problems with Frontline on my Toy Fox Terrier, 1 minute after I applied this on her skin it turned blood red and her skin was red all over her back in just a period of time it took me to call my vet. I bathed her several times with dawn dish liquid as instructed, by next morning the redness had left but the healthy dog I had before this no longer exists. She constantly has health issues now. This was last spring, 2005.
Jan 1/26/06
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MY DOG WAS POISONED BUY BIO SPOT. CAUSED HIM NEUROLOGICAL DAMAGE. HIS FACE AND LEGS BECAME PARALIZED. I TOOK HIM TO LOCAL VETS IN FL. AND THEY DID NOT KNOW
WHAT WAS WRONG BUT KEPT ASKING ME IF HE COULD HAVE BEEN POISONED. I TOOK HIM
TO THE VET COLLEGE IN GAINSVILLE FL. COST ME $2,300. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT
WAS WRONG. THEY SAID HE MIGHT HAVE MS. THEY RECOMMENDED HE BE PUT TO SLEEP.
SAID HE WOULD NEVER WALK AGAIN. IT WAS NOT TILL AFTER I FOUND OUT IT WAS
CAUSED BY THE BIO SPOT. I WAS HEART BROKEN AND FEEL GUILTY EVERY DAY FOR
CAUSING THIS.FARNAM REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE VET BILLS. SAID THEY
DID NOT CONCLUDE WHAT CAUSED THE NERVE DAMAGE. I NOTICED THAT ON HEARTGARD
COMMERCIALS ON TV THEY STATE THAT IN CERTAIN RARE INSTANCES IT COULD CAUSE
NEUROLOGICAL DAMAGE. HOW ARE THESE CRIMINALS GETTING AWAY WITH PEDDLING THIS
POISON TO OUR PETS? THIS IS AWFUL. THESE PEOPLE ARE DESPICABLE. SOMETHING
NEEDS TO BE DONE. I'LL HELP.
GAIL 1/30/06
I JUST WROTE A LETTER TO FARNAM TELLING THAT I'M AT WAR WITH THEM. I ALSO WROTE
A COMPAINT ON LINE TO THE ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL ABOUT BIO SPOT. PLEASE
POST IT ON YOUR WEB SITE AND URGE OTHERS TO DO SO. AT A WEB SITE CALLED FLORIDAPETPAGES.COM THERE IS A POST TITLED "TOPICAL FLEA CONTROL PRODUCTS" WRITTEN BY A VET. I TOLD THE ATTORNEY GEN. TO LOOK IT UP.
GAIL 2/1/06
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I WASHED MY KITTEN GIZMO WITH SARGENTS SKIP-FLEA & TICK SHAMPOO. HE IS 4 MONTHS OLD, SAYS IT IS SAFE FOR KITTENS. WITHIN 1 HOUR HE WAS HAVING A SEIZURE , LABORED BREATHING, EYES ROLLED BACK IN HIS HEAD. I TOOK HIM TO AN EMERGENCY VET, OF COURSE BY TIME WE GOT THERE , HE WAS FINE. THE VET SAID IT WAS PROBABLY AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE SHAMPOO, HIS EYES WERE DIALATED, AND HE HAD A FEVER, AND NEVER TO USE ANY PESTICIDE ON HIM EVER AGAIN, SINCE HE IS NOW FINE, BUT HAVING A REAL HARD TIME GETTING OFF THE FLEAS.
CHRIS 1/30/06
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I have used Bio-Spot on my dog for 3 years now, with no adverse effects. But, I am not saying there
can't be some. We have to be careful with all the products we use. The ingredient permethrin in Bio-Spot actually has less of a 1/2 life than the ingredient fipronil in Front Line. Both are insecticides, and both have about the same side effects, and other effects on animals. I am not saying Bio-Spot is better or worse than Front Line or any other tick or flea control out there. What I am saying, is we have to be careful with
all insecticides that we use for control.
Jeff 2/1/06
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I haved used Bio Spot for about three years now, on my two cats and lab mix dog. Now I know better.
I WILL NEVER USE IT AGAIN, AND WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW THAT IT IS LETHAL!!!
My story....
I have a lab-mix male dog 5 years old, female cat 11 years and 6 month old kitten (with one eye) we rescued from the road. Caramel (the kitten) started acting strange one afternoon last week, walking backwards, shaking, blinking her eyes and stiffening her body. As our dog is an epileptic I knew there
was something going on with her that was neurological. I took her to the vet within an hour of onset of symptoms, the vet tech's first question - who did you put flea meds on today? I answered my dog -
Bio Spot.
Caramel is back home and fine after and overnight at the vet and $200. The tech told me this happens
4 or 5 times per year, most die. Caramel has recovered fully because she was treated so quickly. Most people wait too long and the ending is not nice.
The package says do not use on cats, may be toxic.
It does not say if your cat touches you dog, it will die!!!
The more stories I read about Bio Spot , the more I question weather my epileptic dog is really epiletic.
My vet suggested we try two months off all flea meds and then back off Phenobarb and see what
happens. The seizures could be related to the Bio Spot. I'll let you know.
I will also write the EPA.
Taryn 2/5/06
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My Charcoal is a toy poodle. He is only five months old. My thought was to buy Advantage for his first fleas and ticks prevention plan. But the salesperson at Petco told me to try out Bio Spot. She told me
that it is the same as the other one. After his first application, he lost his appetite for the first 24 hrs. and
I do not understand why. Ever since, he is extremely itchy at the spot where I put the Bio Spot on. I did
not know why and kept thinking he might have fleas because the salesperson told me that it will take one week in order to work. After a week and a half, I gave him a bath and realized that under his sweater
and all over his body, it is very flakey. His skin is very dry and still very itchy. I called the phone no. on
the package, guess what! No one bothered to call me back. I am angry at the salesperson and the
manufacturer. I also have three young children. Boy! Am I scared after I read your article. Thanks for telling all of us!
Amy in Redmond, Washington 2/20/06
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My neighbor had a 7-wk. malteese.. went to be vet checked.. she had fleas.. vet administered advantage and within 24- hrs. her puppy declined rapidly. Symptoms included vomiting, diahrea, no food. Would take some water. Vet suggested the puppy had coronna or parvo, however, I suspect liver failure due to advantage as all show low protein levels in blood. What do you think? Puppy died within 5 days.. very sad and expensive. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Anonymous 2/22/06
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On the Friday, February 18 2006, I made one of the BIGGEST mistakes of my life. I purchased a flea and tick medication called BIO SPOT at a local Tractor Supply store. As an owner of four cats, I was trying to save money and not have to buy Frontline, which is what I have used before.
Early that evening my roommate and myself applied the BIO SPOT to each one of our precious babies. Within 1 hour the first horrifying symptoms began. I noticed that Cammie was beginning to tremor. In 5 more minutes he was in full blown seizures. Thrashing about, foaming at the mouth, attempting to swallow his tongue. My friend put her pinkie in his mouth to prevent him from swallowing his tongue.
Shortly after that, Ruby began similar symptoms. Fortunately, not as severe. Her face was tremoring and her body began twitching. It then occurred to us, it was that horrible BIO SPOT. We called a 24 hour vet, who thankfully, told us "this happens a lot from this medication". They told us to wash all four of them with Tide or Dawn and rinse them all thoroughly.
My other two cats had some symptoms, thank God, not as severe. However, none of this should ever have had to occur. How in the world can companies be allowed to sell a product that literally poisons your animals. The vet explained the way they work is when a flea bites your pet, the poison in the "medicine" which by that time is in your precious animals blood stream kills the flea. PLEASE, people, DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. I understand it is much less costly than Frontline, for I to live paycheck to paycheck.
The companies who produce these products should be arrested and charged with animal cruelty and abuse. How they live with themselves, I will never know.
If this letter saves even one pet of their family the horror of what I have experienced then it has been well worth it. Thank you for listening and continue loving and caring for our beloved furry friends!!
Anonymous 2/22/06
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I am glad I found your website. I have one dead dog & 2 dogs dying from what I suspect is from the use of Bio-Spot. I started using Bio-Spot 10 yrs. ago on all dogs. I have not seen a flea since that time.
Unfortunately, I am not seeing one of those dogs (Thyroid Cancer) & am now going thru testing for her 2 pups for the same malady- interesting!
Too bad that a Class Action Suit is not in order, since not enough (death after continued usage of the product due to certain cancers) info has been DOCUMENTED!
I am searching your site for alternate methods of tick & flea control.
THX - Cat 2/26/05
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my neighbor contacted you on 2/22/05 about my maltese puppy who died. she was 8-weeks old when the vet treated her with advantage flea treatment which is supposed to be safe for puppies and kittens 7 weeks and older. my puppy died 5 days later from what the vet said was a viral infection, probably parvovirus or coronavirus. we were not convinced and took the puppy to the university veterinary teaching hospital for an autopsy. i received a preliminary report this morning. "virus detection negative." i am very angry not only with advantage, but also the vet. i am awaiting further reports about her death. i also plan to contact advantage and the epa. do you have any further suggestions.
Anonymous 2/28/06
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My Chloe had similar episodes, of which I was sure it was caused by the flea & tick meds, the vet had changed to another one - Revolution - and she had a bad result, of which I'm sure it was caused by the Revolution - we live in Florida, so what should we do. She is not an outside dog, she's little 11 lbs, what
else can we use in place of Advantix, or can we simply cut down and apply every other month or only in
the hot summer months. We experienced the same as you did, to the vet all ok with the blood work, etc.
I am very against all the meds put out for this problem and am at a loss of what to do to ensure my dog's safety. Any suggestions! I thought your article was excellent and very to the truth of which I experienced
with my Chloe.
Marion 3/4/06
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I read Dr. Fox article in News-press. One of our dog has a seizures a couple of times a month. I never suspected biospot is causing these.
Yoshimi 3/8/06
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I returned to Ohio in 1993 with my now 20 year old tabby. Three years married, added a 12 year old cat. Never had fleas till we found a dog. Last 2 years have been hell. I've used most of the products mentioned.
I was researching Frontline when I came across your very educational site. I now have 2 cats locked in the laundry room x 2 months, for using the dining room as a litter box. My 20 year old cat, who actually saved my life, woke me from a deep sleep from a slow propane leak in a motorhome. She still has occasional seizures, now I know that I caused them, right after I'm done here I'm taking the flea collar off. I want her to be healthy for the next 20 years. I've researched natural pest control and decided to try "diatomaceous earth" next.
http://www.hydromall.com/happy_grower16.html This place even has applications and dosages. I can't figure out why we would want to eat something with "earth" in the title. But being a newlywed, I've probably eaten worse. Just don't tell my wife if it's low fat, or carb-free.
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=999012&Show=ExtInfo This place seems perfect for small amounts specifically packaged for animals. I would need more for carpets or yards.
http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=11&idproduct=39 This site advertises food grade quality, 5lb for $10, I'll check Wal-Mart tomorrow and re-post if I find anything different.
1. Don't breathe, if it's bad for me I'd have to put a pillowcase over the critters heads or my head or something, probably not in the eyes either. Looks like the blind sprinkling the blind. Should be interesting.
2. From my days as a roadie for the band Lazer at the Youngstown Agora I remember throwing dry ice in a machine with warm water and blowing fog, but don't remember much else (free beer). Does anyone know if fleas react to cold and extreme moisture. It might be dangerous, what if the Stones come on the radio, I could just imagine 1000 little flea lighters and a visit from the fire dept.
3. Everyday my wife and I compete in a flea olympics. Dogs: brush against the fur and dab everything that moves with a little vaseline. this freezes the fleas, pick off and make happy face patterns on toliet paper, then taunt the fleas and give them a ride on the porcelain bus. Cats fur is too thick and teeth too sharp for this "natural method."
Happy Hunting,
Jeff 3/8/06
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Hello. I saw an article in our local Springfield MO newspaper vet (Dr Michael Fox) column. Regarding the risks of using pet insecticides on your dogs and cats. A month ago our neutered male cat just stopped eating. He spent a week at our vets and they tested him for everything. Liver, kidney, f.leukemia, feline sore mouth etc. They (3 Vets) were just stumped as to what was wrong. They finally concluded that he had idiopathic anorexia. When I saw this column today it dawned on me that I applied the Flea and Tick stuff from Frontline to the back of his neck as instructed by the directions on the pkg. Could this be the cause of him not eating? One thing I find really strange is that his pupils are huge. Only about 1.16th of an inch of iris showing and if he goes outside in the light he can't keep his eyes open. He seems depressed, although he likes our company wants us to pet him and he purrs. Doesn't groom much if at all.
Sandy 3/9/06
Well we finally got a diagnosis on our cat. He saw a neurologist. They went to the university and they found a brain tumor. Of course that couldn't happen in 1 day.(after the Frontline). They (the vets) said that it was a fast growing but could have been there awhile and then just grew enough to block those nerves that tell you that you are hungry and it's also in the area that controls the eyes dilating. With lights shining in his eyes they never reacted and there was no retinal damage anywhere. His liver kidney tests were redone and they all said that his body is healthy. Just a note and you might already know this, but I found a website for feline anorexia and one lady had luck with heating the food slightly and feeding her cat from a spoon. I think they react to the smell and eat because of habit of you smell then you eat reflex. So far it has worked. He's not pigging out but he went from 1 tablespoon a day to 3. We will make him comfortable and so far he is happy and wanting to be around us for his much loved petting. Again I thank you for your time.
Sandy 3/10/06
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We just discovered your web site from the Naples Daily News in Florida. We would like to tell you our experience with REVOLUTION.
We live in Canada and have 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels ages 8 & 10. They were given REVOLUTION for 6 months each year until we began coming to Florida when our Vet recommended
giving it to them all year long. Last May 2005 after their first full year on REVOLUTION our youngest dog, then 7yrs began having seizures. He was previously very heathly and blood tests showed no problems. The Vet put him on Phenobarbital and has increased the dosage 4 times, after seizures re-occured. He now has problems with his skin along his back and is losing hair.
After reading the accounts from other pet owners on your website we are now convinced that REVOLUTION has caused these problems.
Our older dog has developed lumps on her breast bone over the last few months and her head sometimes shakes similar to Parkinsons.
Our dogs are fed only natural food with no preservatives. (California Natural)
Our previous dog, a golden retreiver, died of skin cancer at age 7, he had been on HEARTGUARD. Now we wonder if that was the cause.
Thank you for starting the web site, as all of this information seems to support something our daughter has been telling us for a long time, that she uses only natural food and medicines in the upkeep of her black Lab, and she seems to avoid all of the maladies that plague the pet world.
Cindy 3/9/06
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Hi James: Here's what I learned from last few days of internet research. Pls post on your website; hope it helps.
I'd like to say a huge THANKS to all who have suffered with these poisonous products. I've used most of
the products mentioned over the past 24 years on dogs and cats, but NO LONGER WILL! My animals
have never had seizures (thankfully), but one otherwise healthy-as-a-horse birddog with no other symptoms of "disease" died @ age 9 from huge recurring funky-looking "tumors" all over his body/had them removed several times but kept coming back ...vet said it was "prostate cancer" on him. BULL!! (Thanks to
Frontline Plus and Heartgard Plus for more than likely killing him.) Also have a 14 year-old Tabby cat (has been 3-legged for past 9 years when wild dogs cornered her and ripped off one of her front legs) ..... OTHERWISE, since then has lived her life as fearlesslly as "hell on wheels!" Otherwise, QUITE healthy, she is now in stages of diagnosed kidney failure; my daughter gives her subcutaneous fluids twice a week to keep her hydrated. She had been on the liquid form of "Program" applied to food her whole life. She had also been on Rx for arthritis but vet recently replaced that with one quarter baby aspirin every 2 days and she's much more alert (cheaper too!).
My internet research over past few days has produced the fol results. I plan to NEVER POISON MY PETS AGAIN!!!!!!! but will use the fol healthier products for flea/tick/worm/parasite control: Flea powder from 100% Pyrethrum flowers (from chrysthanthemums); Diatomaceous Earth (not "earth" but microscopic shells from one-cell plants called diatoms that puncture the insect's exoskeleton & kill it!); Herbal Oil applied to a cotton Flea Collar; 3 varities of Herbal formula powder and capsules (contains brewer's yeast, garlic, diat. earth, etc.....) opened and added to their food; High quality multi-vitamin; and Natural Flea & Tick Drops, more herbal oils for collar probably. May sound like alot but it's no more than what the other products cost over a year...I'm just getting my supplies to get started ahead of time for the flea season! Don't know how often I'll have to apply this stuff but I don't intend on having emergency vet bills and horrific stories! Plan: I will apply as dry to their coats the dry flea powder and diat. earth; plus wear the cotton collar with herbal oils to continue to repel; make pet as healthy as possible with the vitamins and herbs etc added to their food
(to further repel insect attack). Also, diat. earth is safely and effectively used on plants, veg, lawn and pet bedding as well! Since diat. earth is supposed to repel all worms and parasites, I will no longer use (poisonous) heartworm Rx, but will have the annual test done to check for the miniscule chance that my healthy pet gets bitten by a mosquito carrying this worm and doesn't fight it off.
Here are the internet sites I ordered this stuff from: naturalanimal.com; gardenharvestsupply.com (has "food grade" diat. earth vs "filter" grade that contains impurities); holisticvetpetcare.net (a fantastic site!!);
jefferspet.com (best prices); petmedstore.com; and totaldiscountvitamins.com.
The only way to HOPEFULLY make sure you're getting the ingredients listed in herbals and vitamins, is to use a reputable company. The last site I listed also carries vitamins for people that are high quality and that I use. I'm NOT a medical person and have no connection to any of these sites, but I am also NOT AN IDIOT, and I refuse to blindly believe stuff from pharmaceutical or chemical companies that makes NO LOGICAL SENSE! Hope this info helps; there is a HUGE amount of helpful info on these sites! One last tidbit: per info from Adamspetsupplies.com, Frontline Plus kills fleas for 3 (THREE!) months and ticks for 1 (ONE) ... draw your own conclusions! Also, a clerk at vet told me the MAX effective time for Heartgard Plus is 60 (SIXTY) days...not 30.....again, draw own conclusions! INFO IS POWER!!!!!!
Jan 3/9/06
It's best to research all flea and tick products - whether they are "all natural" or synthetic - before using them. Some may be okay for a dog, but toxic for cats. For example, I have read that cats should avoid essential oils because they have difficulty metabolizing them. I have also read that diatomaceous earth
can be irritating to the lungs (you should also avoid contact with the eyes) and it should NOT be used directly on pets. Diatomaceous earth may be effective against some internal parasites, but I don't believe
it can prevent or kill heartworms (since they are in the bloodstream). Also, do NOT use the type of diatomaceous earth sold for swimming pool filters. It is ground very fine and the tiny particles can be breathed into the lungs and cause chronic inflamation.
Once again, it's best to research ALL flea and tick products - whether they are "all natural" or synthetic - before using them!!!
James TerBush
Hi James: Pls post this updated info to your website to be used with my earlier msg. Thanks also, for clarifying my info on essential oils and cats since my info was about dogs only and it could have been misinterpreted. My further research has led me to the all raw meat and veggie diet for cats and
dogs, which may be the best and simplest approach after all.
The site is www.pet-grub.com; the author's info is based on many sources plus her own pets' positive reactions and health improvements with this diet. This one sentence speaks volumes about the pet
and pet owner's fight against fleas: "a flea's natural purpose is to suck blood out of an animal's dead body/carcass"..... The more "toxic" a pet is (aka "dead"), the more likely it will attract fleas! Whether
it's in a bag or a can, commercial dog food is mainly cereal, which is NOT a natural diet for carnivores
(meat-eating cats and dogs)!
Another point from this site that should be noted is that BREWER'S YEAST, GARLIC and ESSENTIAL OILS that are SO widely touted in so many products and by so many companies to help ward off fleas,
have their own problems: B.YEAST is not well digested by carnivores; GARLIC's appeal to repel fleas
is because of its high SULFUR content but can be poisonous in "large doses"; certain of the Essentail
Oils on the dog collars are poisonous even for dogs (ie., pennyroyal)........!!
It just AMAZES me that companies can produce, tout and sell these products as healthy alternatives. Where is the research dep't?!!! It is definitely a "buyer beware" market, regardless of the product! The
raw diet's appeal that replaces the touted b.yeast and garlic is that sulfur can be incorporated into pet's
diet by feeding certain veggies (site's author gives great info on this!) and the raw meat replaces the
B vitamins offered by b. yeast. If you're thinking "I don't even like some of these veggies, and I know my
pet never will either!", they may surprise you! Don't worry: the prep is to grind and mix everything together into a "stew consistency" so it's just like hiding nutrition in foods for kids!! So the search for "TRUTH" continues!
Jan 3/22/06
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I have a 3 year old cat that we have always used Advantage on... until this last time. I was in the grocery store and in a rush and short on money so I decided that Sergeants gold flea drops would be alright this time. Well I was wrong. I put it on him that night, the next morning I woke up to find cat hair all over the place in big clumps. The back of his neck was completely white (he is a solid black cat)! He lost all of his hair where I put the product! I called the Vet to ask what could be the matter with him, still not associating the Sergeants to the problem, and the Vet asked me if I had put anything on him to have a reaction in that spot. When I told her yes and what it was she said to wash the cat immediately! That it is very common with Sergeants flea drops to do that and it is like poison to some cats. If you are reading this and love your animal only half as much as my family and I do, than do not compromise in price and please do not put this poison on your animal.
Stacey 3/24/06
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I have two wonderful chocolate labs who are now about a year and a half old. I'm trying to figure out what
to do about flea and tick control after reading your website for the thick end of an hour. We've used most
of the major (read: expensive) flea/tick products over the course of their time with us, including Advantage, Frontline, and K9 Advantix. Neither dog has ever had an adverse reaction (thank God), but I'm not positive that it won't build up to cause problems down the line, or that they could develop a reaction later in life. I'm always careful to follow directions, we always take them on a walk right away so they can disperse the meds by movement, and we make sure we don't do the treatment on a day when they'll be spending a lot of time crated up together, with a chance to lick each other's fur. That said, they always ingest at least a little of each other's drops, and like I said before they haven't had any reactions, not even lethargy or thirst.
After reading so many sad stories, I'm counting my blessings.
My question, then, is what I'm supposed to do if the pesticide-based treatments are a bad idea. I have a fairly small backyard where they spend time and do their business, and it's not really practical to treat the whole thing with sulfur since it's so close to all our windows. Also, when we want to give them a good run, we have to use public parks, so we can't really limit their potential exposure to insects. We need
something to protect them.
The reason it's such a big concern is, when we first got our boys, they had a third brother, all from the same litter -- I know, it sounds nuts, but my wife talked me into it and we loved all three of them like crazy. Long story short, their brother died from complications of a huge intestinal infestation. It was probably the most heartbreaking thing that has ever happened to my wife and I. It was all because of worms, and some worms can be transmitted by insect bite. So you see my conundrum: do we treat them and risk pesticide poisoning, or not treat them and risk infestation? If we treat them, what's the safest? We couldn't bear to
go through another loss due to worm infestation.
I think you should put some kind of note on your site about the dangers of *not* treating pets. It's important to know all the facts -- like that worms can be fatal too.
James 3/29/06
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Bio Spot poisoned my cat!
I noticed a flea on one of my dogs, so I decided to bathe and flea treat all of my pets. One of my 3 pets is a fat, sweet, black and white cat named Miss Kitty. Well, the day after I treated her, she came into the house having tremors! I watched her for a few minutes, then saw her licking her back where Bio Spot had been applied. It was after 6:00, my regular vet was closed and there is no emergency vet clinic in my area. Thank God for your web-site and the advice it offers! It saved her life. I immediately and thoroughly washed her with Dawn dish soap in a deep tub of warm water. It was, however, too late. She went downhill from there. Within the hour, Miss Kitty couldn't walk. She could only scoot backwards on the floor. Her eyes were completely dilated. She panted heavily and shook with tremors. Her nervous system was affected. I put her in a dark quiet room and gave her water to drink often with a large syringe. She lost control of her bladder several times. I felt it was a good thing because I hoped it would flush the poison from her body. Her condition considerably worsened through the night. By 3:00am, she was shaking violently, exhausted,
and unable to sleep. The saddest thing is that, despite her pain, she would purr when I petted her and still respond with small meows when I would say her name. I know she was aware I was there, she just had no control over her body. I cried and felt so guilty that I had poisoned my healthy happy cat. By morning, Miss Kitty was completely exhausted. Once, in my husbands arms, her tremors stopped briefly. We thought
Miss Kitty had died.
Well, it's been four day's now. Miss Kitty lived! She is eating on her own again. She still shakes some and
is weak. She is not walking as well as she did, but at least she can walk. I don't know if she will ever totally
recover, but she is alive.
I have used that type of flea product only once before. Last year, I used Frontline on my dogs and Miss Kitty and had no problem, but I will never use that type of product ever again. I'd much rather have the fleas.
If there is ever a class action suit against Farnam for selling Bio Spot to the public, I want to be on the list.
I want to see them out of business!
Thank You,
Melissa V. 3/29/06
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Last year I used the Bio Spot Flea and Tick control on my cat. It was a super horrible experience!! I am a nurse and knew I had a major problem and called the vet on call, it was Saturday. He knew immediately what the problem was. She was having seizures and was comatose, unable to meow. I immediately
bathed her in the bathtub and started forcing fluids with a dropper. This went on for twenty four hours
before I felt she was going to make it. On Monday my personal vet saw her. The vets were in agreement
that Bio Spot has killed animals and caused neurological problems. I contacted the manufacture and got
an empty promise, nothing has changed. I contacted Pet Depot where I had purchased the product. They promised to take it off the shelf. Nothing has been changed. I would never buy another flea control except from my vet. My cat is okay now but I would not have given you a penny for her life. I now also own a
Shih Poo, she's ten months old. Never will I give her anything not vet ordered. Never, never Bio Spot..that crap will kill your pets...
Jj Hall - Alabama 3/31/06
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I used Adams Flea and Tick Shampoo on my 6 year old Catahoula on Saturday and the following day was the an absolute nightmare. She started walking around hunched over and her tail tucked to one side. I tried to get near her to check under her tail and she would squeal if I came within a few inches. The afternoon was filled with this hunched over scurrying type of walk. She'd look at me with these pleading eyes to make her feel better and they were killing me. Then the shivers and panting started. The dog who acts like she hasn't eaten in a week every dinner time, would not touch a dog treat, her dinner or water all day. I gave her a little children's liquid ibuprofen (now that she would take-she lapped it out of the cup herself-go figure) and she was feeling better in half an hour. She stopped shivering, panting and ate some wet dog food from my hand-but still no water. Today's Monday and she finally drank from a bowl I brought to her and she did go out and piddle (tail tucked) but immediately came back in and laid down. She has rolled to the side to have her belly rubbed-so I believe she's on the mend!
I have read some of the earlier communications but hadn't seen Adam's product listed. I wont use it again-that's for sure!
Mary/Texas 4/3/06
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I applied Frontline to my dog this morning when I came home for lunch at 2:40pm he was not interested in coming to the door. He sat a ways away from me while I had lunch and seemed to be out of it and shivering. I called Frontline and asked if it could be related, they said no. It's now 8pm and he has basically sat in the same spot with my husband and I taking turns petting him and consoling him because he is definitely not feeling well. When I came home he didn't even get off the ottoman, which is very unusual because he normally greets me and is very very excited because he knows it's close to dinner time. I am concerned about my dog please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Veronica 4.3/06
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It has been a relief yet a shock to find your website, as our border collie suffered 5 fits last summer/autumn, after a second bio spot treatment. Like you, we usually gave him the occasional frontline from the vet, but picked up a cheaper bio spot from the supermarket. The june treatment was ok but the august treatment led i believe to his fits. He has a heart murmur, and had never had a fit before, he was 13 then. Our vet immediately said don't give him it again, although i wasn't going to, having found your website.
Kade our dog pulled through, and hasn't had another fit, but the stress of it all i feel led to his heart going into atrial fibrillation, racing, in November. After 4 months of nursing him and getting his food right again, he has come out of it, and is doing well again.
I feel i need to contact someone in the uk about this product but am [not] sure of who, any advice would be welcomed. Meanwhile, thank you for putting your story on the web, it helped us feel we had identified the cause and feel a little less guilt about doing this to our boy.
Jill and Ian and Kade 4/10/06
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I was just considering the purchase of this product because after a job downsizing, it seemed a good economic decision. I had to consider the effects not only on my dog, but my cat too - he lives in the same home and could suffer ill effects just from proximity to the dog. I have used Frontline for years and it has always been effective without any *seeming* harm to my pets. My vet explained that many "over the counter" flea meds may be effective, but that the chemicals may be harmful over the long term. He said
they can tend to damage the animal's liver over time because they exit the body that way. So though
Frontline will cost me more, it may have saved me LOTS more than expensive vet visits and tests from using a different product. Thank you.
ccr 4/14/06
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My wife and I bought Bio Spot flea control for our two cavalier king charles boys on Saturday. We administered to both Riley and Murphy on Saturday. Today, Sunday, my wife and I noticed Riley was acting strange. He has been very lethargic and not acting himself. After we found your website we immediately washed both our boys to get the poison off of them. I hope and pray my precious Riley and Murphy will be OK. We will be going to the vet in the morning. I will write another message after we have seen the vet.
DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT.
Scott and Lisa 4/16/06
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I have a miniature dachshund who had a neurological reaction to Biospot application yesterday. I applied it about 8am and by 1pm he was falling over, shaking and walking like he was drunk.
I called the company and was told to bath the dog and force fluids. They informed me that I should take him to the vet if he was not drinking or acting like he was going to have a seizure. We were able to treat him at home at by bedtime he was almost normal. Today he seems fine except for some "ticking of his ear". I just hope that he does not have any residual damage.
I will not be using any of these types of flea control in the future. Thank you for your concern.
Patricia 4/21/06
Forsyth, MT
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My cat is a Flame tip Himalayan big fluffy white cat - he is about 9 yrs old. My husband and I have owned
him together longer than we have been married. Well a friend of mine used Bio-Spot - said it worked great and it was less expensive. So we figured we would try it. BIG MISTAKE!!! We put B. S. (ironic initials) on Angel. He always runs and hides after his flea treatment so we thought nothing of it until I was sitting on
my couch and felt something thumping underneath. Then I saw one of the kid's toys come flying out from beneath so I look and I find Angel twitching all over, mouth foaming and he's just pathetic. I called the vet.
He said bathe him well with mild soap and bring him in immediately. I go, they take him as soon as I walk
in and the first 2 questions he asked was "Hartz or Bio-Spot?" I was shocked when he told me he sees it
all the time. It's common but they won't take the stuff off the shelves. So Angel is fine now. He had to stay over night with constant fluids to flush it all out. The only thing they got right was the name Bio-Spot = B. S. Any tips on getting Farnam to refund my vet bills? Would be great, let me know. From what I have read
I may need it for future vet bills.
Upset pet owner,
Vicky 4/22/06
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We gave all four of our dogs Bio Spot seemingly without problem at first. But one of our female collie started having seizures. We did blood work and all came out negative for any kind of hormonal/chemical imbalance. The vet said it was just one of those thing having a pure bred dog. And then a few weeks after, I have noticed that there has been SERIOUS fur loss to another one of our female collies. I don't think it's a coincidence seeing that neither of these dogs had ever had a seizure, and the female who lost all the fur has been the one with the thickest undercoat of all. She didn't give birth and the spring season hadn't quite come in full effect to cause the great loss of top coat and undercoat. However, our male and 5 month old female collie didn't seem to have any reaction. I should have known better because they pulled Bio Spot for cats at the local feed store due to DEATHS and SEIZURES to cats. I will gladly pay more for Frontline and Advantage. So far I have had no issue with either with years of use. One time trying to save a dollar, and it ended up costing me more in vet bills and risking my pets' health.
Shano 4/23/06
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My Cane Corso has been on Frontline since he was a baby pup. He is 9 mos now and he had an engorged deertick on his head that I thought was a skin tag. Then my pitbull who is 8 yrs and has always been on Frontline has full blown Lyme disease. I am angered that a company claims that their product works when it obviously does not. Just wanted to let your site know.
Patti 4/23/06
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I also recently found bio spot, and used it on my dogs. (which I no longer do) I also bought the cat bio spot. Although I had no bad reaction with my dogs, one of my cays Belle had two grand mal seizures a couple hours after I applied the bio spot. Thankfully she made it, and I have a great vet who came in after hours to help me. I was really upset because in Pet Smart and Petco they compare this product to frontline, advantage, and advantix. They do not tell you it is way more powerful than these medicines and much more harmful. Are you starting any thing to get this mass produced item off the shelves so it does not hurt any more animals? If so I would like to be involved. Thanks again and I'm glad your dog made it.
Heather 4/24/06
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THANK GOD FOR YOUR SITE.
A year ago I gave my sheltie a bio spot treatment one time. Within 2 weeks she lost all of her hair and massive skin irritations all over her back. I have bathed her several times it's only gotten worse. The vet keeps saying it's her thyroid but it all came on after using bio spot. Do you or anyone out there have any suggestions on what i might do to rid her of this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Sassy's mom 4/24/06
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My wife and I live in Connecticut and recently had a terrible experience as a result of using Bio Spot tick and flea treatment on our 6 month old 5 1/2 lb. Shit tzu puppy. I read your Bio Spot consumer alert and believe the information contained saved the puppy's life.
On April 22 we had our dog groomed by a person we have used for several years. My wife asked the groomer to apply a tick and flea treatment to the dog. My wife informed the groomer she was not satisfied with Frontline, a product we had been using for years on our other dogs. The groomer told my wife she uses only Bio Spot which is a wonderful product. I do not believe the groomer researched this product nor was she aware of it's potential adverse effects.
Several hours after bringing the dog home she began to cry and jump uncontrollably. I thought she was reacting to her hair being clipped and cut. As time went on her crying became more intense and she was clearly in distress. I decided to investigate the new tick and flea product on the internet. I came across your consumer alert and became more horrified as I read the article. I immediately followed your advise and began drenching the area with dog soap and water. The dog became more agitated as time passed and we thought it best to find an emergency vet in the area. We were fortunate to find an all night vet in Danbury which is not that far from our home. We explained to the vet that the dog had received a Bio Spot treatment several hours earlier. The vet asked if the groomer used this product without our permission and were we aware of it's dangers. I informed the vet that we gave the groomer permission not knowing or being informed of the dangers involved. The vet told us applying the soap and water probably saved the dog from suffering serious consequences (thank you again). The dog was given a steroid shot and we took her home. During the night the dog was still in pain and distress.
On Tuesday, April 25th we took the dog to her regular vet who after examining the puppy found her to have a fever of 105 and a 2 x 2 inch lesion in the applied area. The vet shaved the puppy applied an antibiotic salve and fitted her with a lamp shade on her head and a sock on her paw. The vet told us never to use
Bio Spot on any animal I hope other pet owners become aware of the dangers of Bio Spot.
Thank you again for your enlightening article.
Bob 2/25/06
Bridgewater, Ct.
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Our dog suffered a seizure after we treated her with Hartz Flea and Tick.
Ray 4/25/06
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Our dog Lucy had a reaction to Bio Spot, too. Shortly after application, she began scratching her neck
and shaking her head. She would not eat or drink. We took her swimming to reduce the effect but she continued to be in discomfort. The second day we took her to the vet who stated that he could not tell the cause but to take her home and wash her in a mild soap. Hope it works -- Dave is home washing her
now.
Martha 4/27/06
I will report it to EPA. See the below e-mail from Farnam. I was surprised how quickly and sympathetically they responded. I am sending in a formal claim for reimbursement as instructed.
Thanks again -- Lucy is definitely feeling better after her bath.
Martha
Dear Ms. XXXXXX ,
We are sorry to hear that your dog had an allergic reaction to the Bio Spot Flea and Tick Control for Dogs. It is suggested that you bathe your dog completely and thoroughly, using a detergent such as dish soap. Bio Spot is an oil based product. Typically, 24 hours from the time of the bath (with detergent), symptoms should be gone. If not, your veterinarian should treat this as an allergic reaction and give Lucy appropriate symptomatic care. Meaning, whatever symptom she is having, should be given medication for that symptom. An antihistamine should help rid the itching. If there is more severe skin damage, steroids and or antibiotics can be given. Although there is no "antidote" for permethrin reactions, symptomatic care works best.
Please mail the following information to Farnam Companies, at the address below. (1) a copy of your "itemized" veterinarian bill(s), (2) a copy of the chart notes for visits related to this treatment and (3) a copy of your store receipt for the Bio Spot or the package and remaining tubes. We will file a complete report on what has occurred and will open a claim review for possible reimbursement of your veterinarian bills.
Again, we are very sorry for what has occurred and do appreciate you taking the time to report this to Farnam Companies.
Sincerely,
Sherri Pike
Technical Affairs Manager
Farnam Companies, Inc.
P.O. Box 34820
Phoenix, AZ 85067
I must say that I am very impressed with Farnam's response. Unlike the response that people often get from other manufacturers of flea and tick products, Farnam is acting very responsibly here and I applaud them for doing so.
James TerBush
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I just lost my second Irish Wolfhound in 6 months to lymphoma. Both dogs were young (5 and 4), strong and healthy. There is supposedly no cancer in the bloodlines. I use Interceptor for heartworm and Frontline Plus for flea prevention. On a whim I googled lymphoma and Frontline (also lymphoma and Interceptor) and arrived at your site. There were no seizures or any adverse reactions observed. I watch carefully because of the collies' drug sensitivities--we also have collies. Could the lymphoma have been caused or triggered the lymphoma? Siblings and parents of the hounds are alive and well--they do NOT use these preventatives. I thought the first lymphoma was a random occurrence, but this second has me wondering. No problems in the collies, who are why we use non-ivermectin products. Please let me know if it could possibly be either or both products.
Mary 4/29/06
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This product is NOT safe and should be withdrawn from the market. We almost lost a 5 yr. old rat terrier
last week because the vet suggested switching from Frontline Plus to Advantix. The dog got sick almost immediately...couldn't breathe, vomiting, couldn't walk, etc.
We spoke to Bayer, whose vet opened mouth and inserted foot by saying "it could not have possibly gotten into his bloodstream". Yes, those are the symptoms of it getting into his bloodstream. We believe he was poisoned by OP (organophosphates) and since 43% of the ingredients are listed as "other" we can't even know the all the ingredients. And what makes the matter much, much worse is this stuff does NOT wash out like all previous types of flea and tick meds. Even the vet did not know this...she said just give him a bath it will be gone.
People need to be aware of these dangers. Bayer is certainly not going to tell you, so we are. After bathing him twice in Dawn dish detergent, as prescribed by a Bayer Animal health consultant, he is still having problems with urgent, frequent urination. We are highly concerned about liver and kidney damage at this point.
Today, he went back to the vet due to a whitish urinary discharge, which had to be flushed out and treated with bacterial ointment. Could have happened during one of the many baths he had to have. A full week later he is finally starting to eat and breathe normally. He is even playing a bit now, but I wouldn't wish this past week on any animal lover. It was heartbreaking!
Barbara (and Max) 5/2/06
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I am horrified! I had no idea that this product was so harmful! I put this [Bio Spot] on my pug yesterday morning. . . and she started itching. . . . miserably. . . . and would just not be herself. I gave her a bath this morning to wash as much of it off of her as I could . .and gave her Benedryl for the allergic reaction. She is eating. . . but she is sleepy and not herself yet. I can't believe that this product is still on the market.
I wonder if I should take her to the vet at this point? No seizure. . .just lethargic.
Nancy C 5/4/06
Richmond, TX
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This is Tuesday morning, and I am still very sad, distressed, and can't stop crying. On Sunday evening, I saw that my beloved 14 yr. old calico cat was scratching, and I had Bio Spot in my cupboard so I put some on her to help her. It was "for dogs only" but I thought a small amount would not hurt my cat. Well within a
few hours she could not walk right, she seemed very drunk, became very vocal, and it looked as though light was extremely painful to her eyes. I immediately washed her very good thinking it could be the Bio Spot, but after I washed her her condition accelerated. She was in extreme distress and in pain. She was stiff and cried out and labored so hard to breathe. She seemed like she was dying. I called my veterinarian and took her to be helped. It was too late, she had to be put down. She suffered terribly and it was my fault and
I can't get her suffering out of my head. Please, please somehow warn the public about this. I wanted to
put an article in the paper about it, but it would only be one more idea for a way for sick people to hurt these little creatures. Believe me, it was horrible, and I pitied my cat so much, I can't tell you how traumatic this event was for her or for me, I will never forgive myself. And the veterinarian insisted she be tested for
rabies which I had done, and it was negative. It was me and the Bio Spot that killed her.
Martha 5/9/06
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How do I report an adverse reaction to a flea control product?
Please contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) at 1-800-858-7378, seven days a week excluding holidays, from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific Time - or fax them on (514) 737-0761 - or email them at npic@ace.orst.edu. Also report the adverse reaction to the manufacturer of the product by calling the phone number listed on their packaging.
I would also report it directly to the U.S. EPA by contacting:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs (Mail Code 7509C)
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
E-mail: opp-web-comments@epa.gov
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If your dog had a severe adverse reaction to Bio Spot Flea & Tick
Control (or any similar product), or if you have found a safer way to
control fleas & ticks, please let me know.
