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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1637.0. "WARNING-FLEA SPRAY HAZARD" by LAGUNA::RACINE_CH () Tue Aug 09 1988 13:00

    
    
    Hi,
    
    I wanted to enter a note here to tell you the experience I had last
    night after applying SARGENTS FLEA AND TICK SPRAY FOR CATS.
    
    After reading the directions and warnings on the back very carefully,
    I applied the spray (aerosol) to our two cats.  One is two years
    old and it didn't affect her at all.  Our six month old cat (we
    applied very little to her in a very short amount of time, about
    5 seconds or so) had an awful reaction.  Her pupils dialated, her
    breathing became sporadic, she started wheezing, and she was very
    disoriented.  We took her to the local pet emergency hospital and
    they gave her a shot of benadryl, a shot of something else to help
    her breathing, and they kept her for a couple hours to monitor her
    breathing.  She pulled through ok and she's back to her spunky self,
    but the vet said that some cats have an allergic reaction to the
    insecticides in the flea sprays.  The vet told us that it very easily
    could have turned out to be a not so happy ending.
    
    I'm very concerned that the Sargents people didn't put anything
    in the warning portion of the label that indicated that some cats
    will have an allergic reaction to their product.  Never again will
    I buy any product like that for any of my animals off the shelf.
    I was not aware at all that these commercial products have so much
    potential danger to the animals they're made for.
    
    I just wanted to enter this note so that hopefully others who are
    not aware of the potential dangers will read this before buying
    any of those flea sprays.
    
    Regards,
    Cherie
    
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1637.1Zodiac Flea Spray/Cat Killer!!??AIMHI::BOYKOTue Aug 09 1988 14:5218
    Just to let you know --my Siamese cat almost died two years ago
    from Zodiac Flea and Tick Spray!!  I followed the directions on
    the can that stated it was good for kittens and puppies as well.
    My cat in two hours, started foaming at the mouth and vomiting.
    Since it was late at night, I washed him immediately to take the
    spray off.  The next morning, he was still vomiting a little and
    weak.  I brought him to the vet, where they pumped his stomach,
    put an IV on him, and gave him an enema.  He stayed over night
    and I picked him up the next day.  The Vet bill stated poisening!!!
    I wrote a letter to Zodiac and copied all concern on this.  The
    bill was over $100, but the worst thing is that they never 
    answered me and my cat today, has developed a nervous condition
    that they said was from the poisoning!!
    The EPA and Attorney Gen. weren't very much help either!!  I
    just wanted them to label the spray as caution, because cats
    do lap themselves and I really don't think a spray such as
    these should be used!!
    
1637.2...LAGUNA::RACINE_CHTue Aug 09 1988 17:3914
    
    
    It's just amazing to me that these people market products that are
    supposed to help make your cats feel more comfortable by killing
    the fleas, but they are a major risk to the cat's life.  The most
    amazing part is that us trusting consumers figure "hey, if it's
    on the shelf it's GOTTA be safe, right?", then our animals end
    up sick, or worse.  Not to mention the huge vet bill I got last
    nite (mine was over $100 too...).  Kelli is worth every penny but that's
    alot of money to have to spend because the spray wasn't labeled with
    any precautionary statement....
                                                           
    At least now we know better.
    Cherie                      
1637.3pyrethrumsPARITY::WHALENAnd may the traffic be with youTue Aug 09 1988 18:4516
         I only use flea spray which is pyrethrum based. Pyrethrums come
    from chrysanthumum plants, certain varieties, and is supposedly
    toxic to fleas, but inert when it comes to mammals. All the kitties
    I've had in the past 2 years, 12, and my sister's and neighbors
    cats all use it too. Never had any kind of problem, never heard
    of any problem, you get it from your vet. I forget the name, I'll
    look it up, but it comes in a red,black,white container. You can
    get the pump for your pet, and a stronger version for carpets, houses
    etc. 
      I've never bought a store product, and especially wouldn't after
    hearing about the Blockade scandal. I don't trust all "over the
    counter" foods, supplies, flea sprays, etc.      
      There is a note or two in here about Blockade and the incredible
    problems THAT caused.
    
                                       Denise
1637.4Always ask your Vet!!DPDMAI::BALLWed Aug 10 1988 12:0911
    For this reason I make it a rule NEVER to use anything that doesn't
    come from the Vet's office.  I get all their vitamins, flea shampoos,
    sprays, foggers and carpet dust from him.  I know some pet supply
    stores sell similar items sometimes, but I've found due to the store
    mark-up, things tend to sit there too long and chemicals can change
    properties if they get old.  If you have a vet you can trust
    (and I'm sure you do) make it a rule to get all your supplies from
    there.  We've heard so many bad things from over-the-counter stuff,
    that I'm not willing to take the chance.
    
    Pat
1637.5NONE OF THEM ARE COMPLETELY SAFEIAMOK::GERRYHome is where the Cat isWed Aug 10 1988 12:3326
    Any cat or kitten can have a reaction to any type of flea spray,
    even the stuff you get from the vet.  The stuff from the vet might
    be a little safer, but none of these things are completely safe.
     
    
    Take it from one who knows, I used Mycodex with Pyrethins from the
    vets several years ago to wash a 12 week old kitten that  had a
    flea problem.  Within 10 minutes of the bath, the kitten was unable
    to walk or stand up, her eyes were dialated and she was having a
    terrible time breathing.  I wrapped her in a towel and drove
    immediately to the vet.  She died in my arms in the car on the way.
    
    
    To some cats, any of these things can be deadly.  Always use them
    with caution, and it's not a bad idea to have the antidote around
    just in case.  
    
    Persians and Himalayans seem to be especially seciptible to reactions,
    in fact, many over the counter products tell you not to use them
    on Persians.
    
    Glad everything worked out alright for your kitty.  Thanks for putting
    in this warning.
    
    cin
    
1637.6VetKemPARITY::WHALENAnd may the traffic be with youWed Aug 10 1988 17:592
    re: 3   The product I use, in case anyone is interested is
    Vet Kem flea products available only through vets.
1637.7BBBMYVAX::LUBYlove them furry terroristsMon Aug 15 1988 10:3414
    
    
    	Why don't you folks with the problems contact the Better
    	Business Bureau?  I've done that before and you are at least
    	guaranteed to get a reply.... but they may deny the charges,
    	at which point you can take them to court if you so choose.  
    	For me, I decided against court since I only lost $45 and learned
    	a good lesson (never buy anything over the phone).  But for
    	$100 and/or injury to my cat I would definately take them	
    	to court if it came down to that.  Chances are the flea companies
    	will put a warning on their labels rather than deal with the
    	bad rep that may arise.
    	
    	Karen