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Beware Flea Products


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Hi,

I want to warn anybody that will listen about the possible side effects that your pet can suffer from applying flea products.

Last week I applied advocate to the back of my toy poodles neck. 4 days later she had a large sore seem to appear overnight and ended up being 5cm by 5cm in diameter and 8mm deep of dead skin. She had surgery today to debride the wound and now has to endure bandage changes every 3 days for a least 4 weeks, fingers crossed it heals well so that she doesnt have to go through it for too long. I have spoken to the company that makes the product, the lady that I spoke to on the emergency number was great but when I spoke to customer service today I felt like I was getting fobbed off, half of the info that I gave her she a didnt record, this was evident when she rang me back 5 minutes later to ask for info that I had told her. She then told me that she doesnt seem to certain that they will pay for the vet costs. I will happily pay it so that my little girl gets the care she needs but todays surgery was $500 and it will then cost me $60 whenever she has the bandage changes and then more when antibiotics are needed again.

So tell as many people as you can to be aware that these things can happen. Sorry but the pictures may be a little shocking

Linda

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I have had a similar thing happen with one of our dogs (but not such a severe reaction) after using Revolution. Lost hair at the site of the application and it took at least 6-12 months for it to grow back. This was with a dog that we had regularly used Revolution on. We have also returned to using Revolution with no further problems - the vet advised to apply the product to three separate areas instead of just one. I'm guessing that we were just unlucky in getting a bad batch.

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I would contact the Advocate people and send them pics so they can look into that batch of Advocate - most companies are very interested in these nasty things

It may prevent other nasty things happen especially if it is a contaminated batch

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I would ring them again and ask to speak to the general manager.

If they don't agree to pay the vet bills I would threaten to go to the media with this one. I am sure that A Current Affair or Today Tonight would love to cover a story like this.

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You should definitely report to the National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals - Adverse Reactions in Canberra. Tel: 62 72 5158

Eleven years ago my mini schnauzer died of complications arising from using Frontline spray. We did everything we could to save him at the specialist centre.

I had used the product for a couple of years prior to his allergic reaction.

You should definitely be compensated for all your vet costs.

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I believe Advocate is one of the most common for causing reactions. Whilst the majority of dogs don't react to top spots, there will always be the handful that do. Same with people and different skin/hair products I guess...

Sorry that this has happened to you

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My dogs haven't had a flea treatment in their lives. On seeing these sorts of things, makes me very glad.

Neither have mine. These chemicals can be extremely toxic & are absorbed into the bloodstream. Toy breeds do seem to have reactions more than larger dogs.

One time when my new kitten arrived by plane from interstate we got her home & out of the carrier & gave her a cuddle.

I immediately broke out in huge welts & my son had an asthma attack. I rang the breeder & found she had been sprayed with Frontline the morning of the flight. Guess that was the problem.

A bath in a diluted solution of Martha Gardeners woolwash, a dry & a thorough inspection then a comb through with a nit comb, then an ear clean out in case they have crawled in their during the bath, is all I have ever done for rescues & it works fine.

I do hope your poor dog recovers ok. You were doing what you thought was the right thing. More controls/testing needed over these things.

Edited by Christina
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So sorry to read of what has happened!

Mine have reacted to advantix with seizures and vomiting. When I rang bayer they were quite good but I don't know if they will look into it further. But I figure if enough people ring up when these things happen they will have to take notice.

I'd ring ACA or TT if they don't cover the costs as has been suggested. The local paper may even want to do a piece and I'd and send the company the clipping.

I hope she gets better soon!

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I know a greyhound trainer who killed 3 of his upcoming racers by using an out of date flea bath rinse (by almost 1 year). That stuff is toxic.

Be very careful with "use by dates" on flea and worm products.

edit typos

Edited by whippets
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Hi Guys,

It was the first time that I had used the Advocate on her, have previously used advantix and advantage with no problems. I used it on my other dogs and have not had a problem. I stopped using it on my show poodle about 6 months ago as I found that he was getting heaps of fleas and since stopping it he hasnt has 1. I guess that I am lucky that I no longer show her, I clipped her off about 3 months ago, would have been lovely having a poodle with the hair and skin burnt off the back of her neck. I was reading the box and information leaflet this afternoon and no where on the box are the "possible side effects" listed but when I rang them they were well aware of the problems that may arise. I have to wait till Monday when the companies vet rings me to say whether they are going to cover the vet bills, if they say no then I will take the matter further as people deserve to know that this can happen to their dogs. She is a lot happier today, she looks like one of those african ladies that have those bangles around their necks as she is bandaged from behind the front legs all the way up to the back of her head. Will keep you updated on the progress. Thanks again

Linda

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My dogs haven't had a flea treatment in their lives. On seeing these sorts of things, makes me very glad.

Neither have mine. These chemicals can be extremely toxic & are absorbed into the bloodstream. Toy breeds do seem to have reactions more than larger dogs.

One time when my new kitten arrived by plane from interstate we got her home & out of the carrier & gave her a cuddle.

I immediately broke out in huge welts & my son had an asthma attack. I rang the breeder & found she had been sprayed with Frontline the morning of the flight. Guess that was the problem.

A bath in a diluted solution of Martha Gardeners woolwash, a dry & a thorough inspection then a comb through with a nit comb, then an ear clean out in case they have crawled in their during the bath, is all I have ever done for rescues & it works fine.

I do hope your poor dog recovers ok. You were doing what you thought was the right thing. More controls/testing needed over these things.

How do you keep your place flea free? Just curious :mad

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I've only once had a big flea problem - moved to a new (old) place, cats had been living under the house and the fleas were in the ground. Used Malathion wash on the dogs, bedding etc. and got a pest exterminator in to do the ground. That was about 15 years ago. Came home from a show once with a couple of fleas but always check the dogs when I arrive home so they were quickly dispatched. Apart from those 2 incidents, never had a flea on any of my dogs.

eta. I'm another who never uses any regular flea treatments.

Edited by pebbles
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A lot of the modern treatments for both human and animals can have adverse side effects. Even the debate over child immunization due to deaths occurring in small children due to the vaccines highlights the danger of modern health treatments. Generally it is a balance as to how much benefit is derived from the treatment and what the associated risk is. A dog with a flea infestation has a miserable life, and most dogs in Australia would not be managed as and maintained to the level as many of the show dogs referred to here on DOL, and therefore will have fleas.

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