from the Pet Forum, a post worth reading

18 years ago

A member has posted on the Pet Form about a terrible reaction caused by an OTC flea and tick product. It's about her dogs, but I'm guessing there's a cat version on the market, too.

Pet owners, this is worth reading.

Here is a link that might be useful: product warning

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Tally
18 years ago
Unfortunately, this is not new news. The problems with Zodiac and Hartz flea products are well documented - just google them. Although the EPA stepped in to regulate some of their products, other OTC flea medications continue to poison pets:

"Flea control products now on the market include seven specific "organophosphate insecticides" (OPs). OPs work by blocking the breakdown of the bodyÂs messenger chemical, acetylcholine, thereby interfering with the transmission of nerve signals in the brains and nervous systems of insects, pets and humans alike. In the presence of OPs, acetylcholine builds up in the body. The resulting interference with nerve transmissions is of such a magnitude that it actually kills insects. In overdoses, OPs can also kill people and pets. But even with normal use of flea-control products containing OPs, pets and children may be in danger.

The seven OPs are chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon and malathion. They are the active ingredients in dozens of pet products. A comprehensive list of products appears in Table 1. It includes major pet pesticide brands, such as Alco, Americare, Beaphar, Double Duty, FordÂs, Freedom Five, Happy Jack, Hartz, Hopkins, Kill-Ko, Protection, Rabon, Riverdale, Sergeant, Unicorn, Vet-Kem, Victory and Zema. "

http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/pets/execsum.asp
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/05/17/061347.php
http://www.epa.gov/opp00001//factsheets/flea-tick.htm
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/hartzq_a.htm
http://www.hartzvictims.org/2005/12/
http://www.thepetguardian.com/html/flea_tick_control.html
http://www.sdearthtimes.com/et0696/et0696s4.html
alisande
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, Tally. I knew about Hartz from way back when I was an animal activist, and about OTC flea products in general. But I was thinking these days a lot of people might avoid buying such things in the supermarket and yet trust a pet supplier like Petsmart.

Gee . . . a name like Vet-Kem sounds scientific and reliable, doesn't it? Exactly what the marketing department thought, I'm sure.
Related Discussions
Maymont Flower and Garden Show ... X-Posted from Antiques Forum
Q
Comments (1)
Sounds like a great time to beat the winter doldrums!
...See More
Pictures of forum members pet companions
Q
Comments (74)
Peppie is a rat terrier, which is actually a mixture of five or six other breeds, and I must say that some of the doggies posted after mine look very similar to him. We have another dog, a Yorkie, and unfortunately Peppie has never really warmed up to her, although he adored our Main Coone cat, a gentle giant who persisted in trying to befriend Peppie, despite many rebuffs, until Peppie fell in love with him. I love hearing all about the foibles of your dogs, and their interactions with their people and other pets. Florence, there's no question you had to marry Bob for Charlie's sake. No sacrifice is too great for our beloved pets! Ingrid
...See More
Total Newbie SOS (long post - reposted from Herbs forum)
Q
Comments (4)
First off, lemon verbena won't survive zone 6 winters, so planting it in a pot is a good idea in case you want to bring it inside to overwinter. Thyme, as with sage, seems to survive anything and its growth habit depends on the type you bought. Do you have the cultivar name? Oregano generally survives my zone 6 winters, but seems to decline with old age. Mine needs replacing every 3 years or so. Also, its growth habit depends on the cultivar, but I would say in general it isn't too invasive to grow with pole beans, but you might not want to plant it with bush beans for two reasons: it probably wouldn't get the sun it needs and it might make it difficult to harvest the bush beans and also might overcompete with the beans a bit. I have grown herbs just about everywhere in my gardens but I seem to be happiest with them in 12 inch pots on my porches and deck. They are handier to harvest and you'll use them more and tend to take better care of them. That and bringing them in to overwinter, which can be done in an unheated garage for the most part. Don't give your herbs too rich a soil, deprive them a little of water and attention and they will do fine. There's some more people on this forum who'll be along in a little with more 'sage' advice for you, I'm sure. Marcy
...See More
Reminder to read the FAQ for this forum before posting (link)
Q
Comments (0)
Link to Name that Rose FAQ Don't forget there are about 30,000 roses floatin' around out there - narrowing down the possibilities helps a lot! Also, try to make your title as descriptive as possible to distinguish it from the other posts. Those trying to ID your rose usually hop over to HelpMeFind and other sites and then back. 8-) A
...See More
Linda Wayman
18 years ago
Why is it still allowed to be on the market? It ought to be illegal.

Linda

Related Stories

HOME TECH To Feed and Protect: Care for Your Pet From Afar With New Devices

By Mike Elgan

You might miss the nuzzles, but your dog or cat won't miss food, water or monitoring with these high-tech feeders and cameras

Full Story

PETS Garden Alert: 22 Plants to Keep Away From Pets

By Marianne Lipanovich

Avoid potential danger by keeping dogs and cats away from these landscaping and houseplant favorites

Full Story

PETS We Want to See the Most Creative Pet Spaces in the World

By Stacy Briscoe

Houzz is seeking pet-friendly designs from around the globe. Get out your camera and post your photos now!

Full Story

FEEL-GOOD HOME 12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers

By Becky Harris

These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable

Full Story

253

KIDS’ SPACES Room of the Day: From Dark Walk-in Closet to Bright and Warm Nursery

By Becky Harris

A mix of vintage and new decor creates a stylish nursery that will grow with a baby boy

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN Pet-Friendly Design: Making Room for the Dog Dish

By Mary Jo Bowling

In a dog’s life, you eat on the floor. Except in kitchens like these, where pets are factored into the design

Full Story

119

LIFE Houzz Call: Where (and What) Are You Reading This Summer?

By Stacy Briscoe

Whether you favor contemporary, classic or beach reads, do the long and lazy days of summer bring out the lit lover in you?

Full Story

132

PETS World of Design: Pampered Pets and Their 10 One-of-a-Kind Homes

By Houzz

Fall in love with these critters and their clever living spaces, from a cat playground in France to a chicken house in the U.S.

Full Story

102

PETS The Best of My Houzz: 50 Design-Loving Pets

By Janet Paik

Share in the animal love with snapshots of adorable furry friends from our My Houzz series

Full Story

175

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Design Ideas From an Elegant, Kid-Friendly Home

By Between Naps on the Porch

Full Story

from the Pet Forum, a post worth reading

Comments (3)

Tally

alisande
Original Author

Related Discussions

Linda Wayman

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

from the Pet Forum, a post worth reading

Comments (3)

Tally

alisandeOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Linda Wayman

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

alisande
Original Author