Flea Drop Problems

[amyloo]

Last night I put Hartz 3 in 1 flea drops on my cay Nala and she started trying to itch that spot like crazy. I tried to wash it off, but it is still there? She doesn't seem to be bothered by it now, but I'm still worried because the spot looks oily like there is still medicine there? Anybody use this stuff before?

[Kinetic]

We have an indoor cat, and DH used this stuff just last week since he thought he saw a flee in the upstairs window sill (I doubt he actually did.)

He tried to apply it to the back of our cat's neck. Well, the cat wasn't being cooperative, and it got on his fur, not so much the skin where its supposed to. His fur was oily and smelt exactly like spray-on deodorant. The poor cat was scratching clumps of hair trying to get the stuff off. It smelled very strong to me - I can imagine how it smelt to the cat!
Well, it took about 4 days to finally wash the stuff off. I used a warm wet washcloth with some mild soap and tried to rub it off, and then towel-dried the area. Did this morning and night, and after a few days, I think its finally all gone.

I threw out the rest of the applications, and I would get a collar next time if we ever need to. I wouldnt be worried if some of it is still there, it is supposedly safe for cats. Just keep trying to gently wash it off.

[jesvet]

Hartz isn't the best product, in terms of how well it works and the fact that there have been a lot of problems with animals after application.

I would use Advantage or Frontline next time, it works much better and is a lot safer.

[Soulmate]

Yes...please do not use any store bought flea applications (Hartz, etc) as they have caused neurological damage in many pets. Frontline and Advantix are safe.

[amyloo]

Thank you all for your help! I just got done visiting the Hartzvictims site and am now ready to shave and disinfect my cat now! Not really, but I do feel like a bad cat owner for buying the cheap stuff at WalMart. I keep trying to wash it off, but the look she gives me every time she hears the faucett is too horrible. If she could flip me off I think she would... :(

[jesvet]

Yes...please do not use any store bought flea applications (Hartz, etc) as they have caused neurological damage in many pets. Frontline and Advantix are safe.

I'm sure you meant Advantage, but just to clarify:
Advantix is NOT safe for cats. It can kill them. It's confusing since they are both made by Bayer, but Advantix is for dogs only.

[kam]

The other ladies pretty much covered my own feelings about Hartz. I definitely would wash her. You may even take her to be groomed. There are also cat wipes but they don't really wash the kitty.

[greenbunny]

Yes, PLEASE get her groomed ASAP. Hartz flea products have been known to kill cats. Hartz has recently been forced by the Environmental Protection Agency to pull these products off the shelves. The stuff is poison. Literally.

You can read about the recall here:

Hartz recall (http://www.showcatsonline.com/x/hartz_update2.htm)

[Sherb]

Just to add to the warnings - DO NOT BUY FRONTLINE/ADVANTIX AT PET SUPPLY PLACES. According to two vets I've talked to recently there have reportedly been several instances of pets treated with these OTC Frontline products that have had severe health problems. Allegedly, these products can be contaminated/watered down/ or gone bad.

They are prescription items and should only be obtained with a prescription - ie from the vet. (At first I thought this was just a $$$ deal with the vet but after the second vet, whom I trust, told me the same thing independently, I'll believe the story.)

For those of you who use Frontline/advantix - make sure you bathe doggies or kitties in non-detergent shampoos - like Highlight (sp?) and Avagroom (sp?). A heavy detergent can strip the meds from the skin and the dog/cat is left with no protection and FLEAS!

[amyloo]

I FINALLY got all that crap off my poor kitty and she is pissed!! I also got her a vet appt for Friday. She's due for her shots in late July and my vet said to just bring her on in. He told me that he'd never personally seen and of the horrible cases associated with Hartz, but that he'd never reccommend it to anyone. How can stuff like the get on the shelves? Is there an FDA for animals? :confused:

[jesvet]

The FDA regulates some things- drugs like Advantage and Frontline. The problem is, Hartz active ingredients make it classified as a 'pesticide', not a drug, thus under regulation by the EPA. They are not really equipped to handle that kind of thing, so it must have been pretty bad for them to take action.

[amyloo]

Thanks for the info jesvet, but it still creeps me out that I've been putting pesticide on my kitty. :eek:

[Kinetic]

Thank You Ladies So much! If it weren't for you, I would have never found out about Hartz. I always assumed if you buy it at a grocery store, and you use it for its intended purpsose, it would be safe. Who knew all these horrible stories were associated with this chemical. I will be sure to spread the word!