Dog owners beware!! Using topical flea treatments on your canine can be deadly and/or cause multiple health issues. Regardless of brand, the chemicals inside of these topical flea treatments can cause toxicity in your dog, no matter what breed he or she may be.
My story today is relatively LIGHT compared to the stories I read regarding Sergeant's topical flea treatment. Visit THIS LINK to read more.
This morning I decided to use "Sergeant's topical flea treatment" on my Boxer/Pitbull mix. I have, for years, always told my Goldendoodle customers to NEVER use topical flea treatments on their Goldendoodle because this type of treatment has been known to cause seizures, kidney or liver damage in the doodle dog due to toxicity from the chemicals. But I didn't think this over the counter medication would cause a problem with my Boxer mix. We should be able to trust that large companies who sell these dog products are following regulations and that they are putting out safe products for our dogs!
Within an hour of putting the flea treatment on his shoulder blade area, he began vomiting profusely. Because I had written an article awhile back regarding topical flea treatment toxicity in Goldendoodles, I knew to immediately get him into the tub and shampoo the heck out of him to remove the chemical. For five minutes I scrubbed him. For another five minutes, I rinsed him. Then I spent quite awhile rubbing him down with a large towel.
Although he did stop vomiting, he began drooling so my husband and I made sure he drank water. The symptoms began to subside not long after his bath, so I decided against rushing him to my vet to be treated for toxicity.
When I posted this problem on my facebook wall, a long time customer of mine sent me this link: http://www.hartzvictims.org/2008/07/14/sergeants-gold-flea-treatment-should-be-boycotted/
When I read the stories on there, I did not realize so many other people had experienced the same exact problems right after using the product.
I felt really bad especially since we had always used a once a month tablet called "Comfortis" and had much success with it. However, I was short on funds and could not afford the $88 that our vet charges for six tablets. In my case, I use FIVE tablets from one box between FIVE dogs. So I am really only getting 1 tablet per dog for $88. It is difficult to find this flea treatment for less without a prescription and our vet hesitates to give us a written prescription since of course, they are in business to make money.
I thought it would be economically better for me, for now, to just purchase the over the counter flea treatment by Hartz...Sergeant's topical flea treatment. Big mistake! My trying to save some money instead of waiting until I could afford the usual once a month Comfortis tablets, could have cost the life of my dog! Fortunately for my dog, I was home to immediately spot the problem and recognize the fact he may be having a toxic reaction to the treatment.
My quick action prevented him from having further complications.
But what if I had to leave for work ? What if I had to leave right away for an appointment or to run an errand and my dog had been home alone ? His symptoms would have worsened and he might have died before I could have come home to see he had a problem from this flea treatment.
I feel horrible for using this on my dog. But I am very glad I was home; recognized the problem right away and was able to take immediate action. YOUR dog may not be so fortunate.
Please DO NOT use topical flea treatments on your dog ESPECIALLY over the counter ones.
Once a month tablets are the best and you can use either "program" or "comfortis". We've had great success with both, for a very long time and with no symptoms whatsoever.
