Those flea treatments ? (male, sleeping, dogs, medicine)

[nancy thereader]

One of the reasons that poor Gracie had gotten so matted so quickly is because she was so highly allergic to something and was scratching so much , the vet had said. He thought it might be fleas and I bought six FRONTLINE flea treatment packages ($85.00). I do wonder , though . If those things whch seem like such a tiny amount of medicine,
are toxic to fleas, aren't they harmful to pets, also?

I never bought an actual flea collar for that reason , but these seemed different. I was not sure how to use this and am not even sure how much actually got her the nape of her neck , but I did not want to use another package because it might be too much medicine.
Has anyone else ever used these? And, are they the same things that you can buy in Walmart or Target for about $8.00?
Thanks.

[Katie1]

#1 make 100% sure it is for cats...2 follow directions. My friends use them on their cats all the time. Watch her for any reactions. If she does have 1 contact your vet.

[nancy thereader]

Yes. it's for cats. Thanks. I hope I put it on right. It seemed to be such a tiny amount and she sort of squirmed some off . But then she is only about twelve pounds so she might easily get an overdose, I was thinking .

[littlelou]

I have 2 Maine Coons and the male battles fleas, the female battles tapeworms from the fleas. I use Frontline monthly, and it works. They run away from me and try to rub it off but I reward them and they calm down. Then they hide and pout. I think the initial cold feeling and medicine shocks them at first, but within 10 -15 minutes they're fine. go under the bed and sleep ( as usual)!!

[vetegnc]

Frontline doesn't affect (most) mammals. Pretty safe, most of the time if there's a reaction to it, it's a reaction to the carrier (what the chemical is in). The stuff at the store, on the other hand, causes LOTS of reactions (even the ones labeled for cats)...research biospot + reactions online and see what you get!

[nancy thereader]

Frontline doesn't affect (most) mammals. Pretty safe, most of the time if there's a reaction to it, it's a reaction to the carrier (what the chemical is in). The stuff at the store, on the other hand, causes LOTS of reactions (even the ones labeled for cats)...research biospot + reactions online and see what you get!

This was wonderful information . Thank you very much.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

Frontline doesn't affect (most) mammals. Pretty safe, most of the time if there's a reaction to it, it's a reaction to the carrier (what the chemical is in). The stuff at the store, on the other hand, causes LOTS of reactions (even the ones labeled for cats)...research biospot + reactions online and see what you get!

This was wonderful information . Thank you very much.

Watch OUT! I gave my cat a 1/2 dose of Advantage for Cats and he STILL had reactions.

Here is a website with numerous owners of dogs and cats and their experience giving their pets Frontline and Advantage and other spot on treatments.

They are NOT safe(after all they have warnings all over the package) but sometimes a necessary evil.

Luckily my Naturopath gave me an herbal medicine for the side effects to my cat's nervous system and a homeopathic to counteract the toxicity of the chemicals.

After two half treatments, I think he won't be needing another flea treatment. One of the side effects by the way is excessive grooming and biting (as if he still had fleas) another one is Seizures.

Scroll down to where you can read the accounts of pet owners and what side effects their pets experienced.

Bio Spot - Flea & Tick Control for Dogs - Consumer Alert

[nancy thereader]

Thank you for the information , emily. I would think that vets would not give anything to their patients which was even remotely harmful, but I guess they do make an enormous profit on it. Hmmmm.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

Thank you for the information , emily. I would think that vets would not give anything to their patients which was even remotely harmful, but I guess they do make an enormous profit on it. Hmmmm.

Well sometimes in dire circumstances like my cat was in where he was biting his tail and dripping blood all over the house, I just thought I couldn't wait another minute to give him some relief, even though I never saw more than a few fleas on him.

I recently took him to the vet (a holistic vet) for a check up and she told me that last time he was in/ his bloodwork showed he was EXTREMELY allergic to fleas. She said she saw other cats that had fleas and they weren't that allergic to them. She said even though the spot on treatments are very dangerous (and they don't recommend them except for a last resort) sometimes they are necessary.

I actually tried to call the animal health center to have them talk me out of giving it to him--- or get their blessing---- but it was a Saturday and they were closed when I called. So I decided he needed some relief because he wasn't going to stop biting his tail. Just 1/2 a dose knocked him out for 2 hours but when he got up, I counted 30 fleas that had fallen off him while he was sleeping. He seemed fine for about a week but then the side effects started to kick in. He'd start overgrooming, and biting( I thought the scabs from the the old flea bites were bothering him). He'd act spooked all of a sudden and take off for no apparant reason. I didn't think anything of it because it was intermittent---- but when he had a seizure in front of me with his head twitching and shaking and ears flattened for a few minutes like I'd never seen before, it scared me so, I called my Naturopath that knows natural medicine better than the holistic vet and he gave me the remedies to counteract the side effects to his nervous system. I'm also giving him immune system boosters and supplements to help him resist fleas into his Spot's Stew by Halo's holistic pet care: all natural dog food, cat food, treats, supplements, grooming aids.


He hasn't had another seizure and he grooms MUCH less frequently (not every 5 minutes for 10 minutes per session like he used to it seemed)and he hasn't had any more of the spooked spells. So-- so far so good. If I could start over I think I'd just have him flea dipped and give him the immune supplements. I was trying to stay away from the chemical flea dips but I think the spot-on treatments are more dangerous.

[STT Resident]

I have four inside cats and half a dozen outside (fixed and fat) ferals. One of my inside cats is highly allergic to both Frontline and flea collars. When I first used Frontline on her she was in obvious distress within twenty minutes and I quickly washed it off her with a mild soap solution. Put a flea collar on her a few days later and within 24 hours she had a big raw circle around her neck. "Capstar" works for her, though. When all the rest get their Frontline dose she gets an oral Capstar (loved the post about giving a cat a pill!) and then if she has problems inbetween I spray her with an OTC flea remedy which works just fine for her. Living in the tropics it's a never-ending blight. Cheers!