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An email was forwarded to me a few weeks ago from a veterinary technician, warning about serious adverse reactions after using ProMeris brand flea and tick control. This email spread like wildfire on the Internet, and while it wasn't confirmed at the time, I posted the information because I felt that there was a good chance at least some of it was true. Plus, it is always good to warn people about the possibilities of adverse reactions with any drugs, supplements or topical medications.
Read original blog post.
Fort Dodge, the manufacturer of ProMeris, did ultimately issue a response to the Internet email (no longer available online), confirming that they did receive an adverse event report for the April 11 incident that likely spawned the wave of emails. More on the Promeris email story from the About.com Guide to Urban Legends.
Meanwhile, comments sent via email and through the comments link on the original blog post suggest that this was not an isolated event.
This article spotlights of a few of these comments received in June 2008 about suspected ProMeris reactions from viewers. Please share your story about adverse reactions to medications or topical treatments in the Reader's Respond: Adverse Drug Reactions.
Email from Paul(used with permission)
Earlier this morning, I asked our next door neighbor about flea treatments for our cat (recently and lightly infested). Taking a weight (15 lbs), we dosed her with Metaflumizone (18.53%, 0.054 fl oz) as noted on the packaging for cats 9 pounds and up.
Within five minutes, our cat was foaming and salivating at the mouth. She is still clearly uncomfortable, exhibiting odd behavior such as dashing from one part of the room to another, seeking out her hiding places. Well, maybe that's not odd for a cat, but clearly she isn't enjoying the experience. Pupils are widely dilated, 'though respiration seems normal and her heart is not racing. She is willing to eat a cat treat and just took some water.
I have a medical background and have been a pet owner for 45 years, so I'm not panicking -- but I'm also not leaving my cat for a few hours. If her condition continues to change, we'll be off to our local vet for further observation. Based on your 'About' page, I thought you would benefit from a direct experience report. Wythe is negligent in not noting adverse reactions in their packaging or product information sheet. It may do no permanent harm, but for the past 15 minutes, I've been concerned about losing my cat.
You are welcome to contact me directly regarding this so you can establish this isn't some urban legend monger.
I replied to Paul to ask permission to publish his story and to find out how his cat was doing.
His reply:
In 72+ hr followup, the cat exhibits no continuing adverse affects. The salivating subsided in a few hours* and her behavior normalized in the same time frame.
In reflection, I've considered a number of possibilities: the meds simply trigger this kind of response or the animal was able to smear some of the compound from the application site on to a (hind) paw, then lick it. obviously, oral intake may be a substantial trigger for her reaction even in small quantities. The application quantity does not all absorb into the skin immediately, and the surrounding fur is wetted with the same.
*I have to say she hates me for giving her a real bath during the episode. That may have reduced her exposure and hastened her recovery, or it simply may have distracted her from the other ordeal.
In any event, the animal and I survived the experience. I'm a scientist by training, but neither the cat nor I are likely to revisit the medication anytime soon.
Additional comments from viewers
Jameson says:
My bulldog just threw up for the third time after getting her first dose of Promeris. I wish that were an urban legend.
Vanessa says:
Jameson, I know how you feel. My cat’s eyes streamed like crazy and she threw up three times after I used Promeris. I was advised by the ASPCA to bathe her with a solution of Dawn dishwashing detergent, which worked…but I think I’d prefer dealing with fleas any day over attempting to bathe a cat! I too wish this were an urban legend.
Beorge says:
Applied Promeris to my 6 year old Chow mix. Terrible skin rash developed & fur fell out in clumps. Hopefully this is all that will occur. Had to take her to the vet, now on antibiotics. Will be contacting the company that sells this crap.
Denny says:
The first treatment went fine, except we still had ticks. The second treatment was 38 days later. I came home about two hours later and found her in the middle of the yard with her mouth on the ground with gravel in it, couldn’t hardly get her to wake up enough to get up and walk. She was shakey and twitching all over. This was on Friday afternoon. I took her to the vet on Monday afternoon and they shaved the spot on her back and down her side where the treatment burned her skin and was losing her hair (about one and a half times of a softball).
She is still unsteady and lethargic and still has twitching problems of the head and front legs. When she is sleeping you have to shake her very hard and yell at her to wake her up.
I have used Frontline for years without problems, my vet switched to ProMeris this year, wish I had never given her the second dose. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS ON YOUR DOG !!!
Marsha says:
My dog’s heart rate dropped to 48 after one dose of ProMeris. I got her to the vet and she was given an injection of Antisedan, which perked her up. I also gave her a bath as advised. But she relapsed within 3 hrs with a heart rate of 40. She ended up in ER for IV fluids and another dose of Antisedan, in addition to another bath. I applied the product as directed; I am a former vet asst with 16 yrs experience. Will go back to Frontline. My vet and the ER vet both told me they are seeing many similar reactions, and from what I understand, my case is not isolated.
Please speak to your veterinarian about the best flea and tick preventives for your pets and your geographic area.
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