Important Pet Warning

[Gadget Man]

I wanted to pass a story along to everyone about something that happened to us recently. If you own a dog or a cat, please read on. If not, pass this on to someone that does. I apologize for it’s length, but it does contain important information about your pet’s safety.

We were preparing for our annual RV vacation that included three different National Forests. As always, we planned to take our 5 year old Chihuahua, Petey. To protect Petey from fleas & ticks, I went to my local Petco to purchase some Frontline Plus flea & tick control. The animal hospital within Petco is Banfield, from which all prescription medications are sold. The vet nurse there told me that they don’t offer Frontline Plus, but they do sell something just as good, FirstShield Trio. I gave them Petey’s weight and they sold me a box of FirstShield Trio.

I drove home and applied the FirstShield Trio as directed. Within 30 minutes, Petey began acting bizarre. He started running to every door in the house, barking as if someone was trying to break in. I let him outside and he charged at our other dog, a six month old German Shepherd, and tried to attack him. As I picked Petey up, his left rear leg began spasming out. His leg kept kicking outward, involuntarily.

Fearing that Petey had an adverse reaction from the FirstShield Trio, I rushed him back to the Banfield Animal Hospital. The vet there examined him and said all of his vital signs were fine, and that there was nothing to worry about. I didn’t accept that and rushed him back home where I promptly bathed him to remove the medication from his skin.

I then called the manufacturer of FirstShield Trio and spoke to a representative. The rep. told me that some dogs have reactions to the active ingredient of FirstShield Trio, which is Permethrin.

I did some internet research on Permethrin and found that dogs have died as a result of it’s use. It is straight insecticide. Here is a link to a You Tube video that shows a news cast warning about Permethrin and it’s derivatives:

YouTube - Dangerous Pet Products?

I’ve found that in addition to FirstShield Trio, Advantix uses Permethrin as well. Both products are sold by Banfield, inside Petco.

The rep. From FirstShield Trio said that the vet should have taken an incident report and should have bathed Petey immediately with a degreaser upon being notified of his symptoms. They did not do either. In fact, I was never even given an opportunity to speak to the vet, only the nurse who disappeared with Petey, and returned with him 10 minutes later. Needless to say, I will not set foot inside another Banfield Animal Hospital.

It took two weeks for Petey’s symptoms to completely disappear. It scared me to think that I might have killed my own pet, it my attempt to protect him. Please don’t use anything with Permethrin on your pet. When in doubt, read the label!

Craig

[BigSkyBob]

Eye opening information Craig, thank you for the heads up.

[mfire1339]

Thanks for the info. Our friends dog got very sick last week after application of one of those products. Luckily they bathed him a couple times after, and He was sick for a couple days but pulled through. They suspected just an allergic reaction.

Mike

[Whaler]

Thank you,thank you for putting this info up,thank you Craig!!!!!!!!!

[PapPappy]

For what it's worth....Banfield is in PetSmart, not Petco!

Thanks for the heads up....I think it's safe to say, especially with smaller breeds (We've got Papillons) that you need to monitor them whenever they have treatments. We don't let our Vet give them all of their vaccinations at one time....we've seen reactions! So, we bring in multiple dogs, and they get a single vaccination....then we go again in a week. Works out about the same price wise....and we all have piece of mind!

[Gadget Man]

Originally Posted by PapPappy

For what it's worth....Banfield is in PetSmart, not Petco!

You are absolutely correct, I apologize for the confusion. I always get the two mixed up since both stores have locations near me.

Craig

[CheetahGirl]

Wow. Thanks for the warning and so glad your boy seems to be okay now. We're always looking for ways to save some $$ but I guess I'll be sticking with Frontline Plus. Haven't had a problem so far and been using it for about 2 years on my two Norwich Terriers.

[Wicked Whippets]

We just started using FrontLine, reluctantly, when we went to a show in an area known for sand fleas carrying tapeworms.

Thanks for posting your experience. Hopefully, it will help someone avoid a similar experience.

[W4RLR]

DW and I are in the mobile dog grooming business. We could tell some horror stories related to us regarding the corporate veterinary and grooming operations of the major pet chains.

We use and sell all natural pet flea and tick preventive products. We don't like to use the chemicals, as it can cause reactions like those mentioned in the original post. It can also build up in OUR bodies as we handle the stuff.

[Peeta]

Wow what a story. Funny I found this story. I gave my dog a Chihuahua named Peeta, a Hartz Flea and Tick Control treatment on Monday. She too has done the exact same thing you mentioned. Now she already has problems with her knees that are common to Chi's and I was putting the spasms off to that. I have read the package and it says nothing on the package with the ingredients but the little applicator does say Permethrin 45.0 % and nothing else. She was already scheduled for a vet appt. tomorrow morning. I haven't been on the forum in the last month or so but I am sure glad I have read it now. I too will be contacting Hartz.

Thank you for posting such vital information.

[RickO]

That is horendous and inexcusable. I'm so glad that Petey is ok.

[wa8yxm]

It always pays to research medications.. (I do everything I take, but .. Well.. Thanks)