over the counter flea control

[jason]

had a nice long post on this and my browser crashed....blah...i'll try again

i was told by my original vet that over the counter flea control can cause neurological conditions that could be fatal based on various studies. this was on my first visit to a vet with a my first cat of which was a stray, so the advice was accepted without question since i was concerned for my little java's health.....i wanted the best, and paid for it.

currently, i am using revolution which (as i know it) is a one-two punch of flea control and heartworm prevention.

are others using over the counter products with success? thoughts/ideas/pointers to the claim made by my original vet? (i'm at a different vet now)

[Traci]

Jason, this should explain it all, and will answer your questions...

Just Say No

To concur with your first vet, yes, OTC flea and tick products are not only ineffective, but are dangerous and toxic as well. Why are they still on the market? Because bigger corporations seem to think there are bigger fish to fry. Hartz, for example, is under great scrutiny and just recently settled a case with the EPA over their product ingredients, but what actually occured was they simply changed the product labelling, nothing more. Others can get away with it simply if they abide by the FDA's labelling requirements and that they state the chemicals they use (again, as long as they provide precautionary statements, apparently the FDA allows)

Stay away from any OTC product. Use only what your vet advises. Frontline and Advantage are the most commonly prescribed, and safest flea and tick control for cats.

[jason]

Just Say No

great, thanks.

To concur with your first vet, yes, OTC flea and tick products are not only ineffective, but are dangerous and toxic as well.

Stay away from any OTC product. Use only what your vet advises. Frontline and Advantage are the most commonly prescribed, and safest flea and tick control for cats.

thanks for the clarification. i will discuss other possibilities aside from revolution with my vet.

[Ron]

I totally agree with Traci, I would NEVER use OTC flea and tick products. Same goes for earmite and worming treatment. It costs a little more to get these products from a vet, but you then at least know you are not using anything that is potentially harmful to your cat, plus you will know that your vet is prescribing the medication that is EXACTLY right for the situation.

[Tina B and crew]

Ditto....my daughter works at a vet office...and she has told me more than enough horror stories about cats coming into the ER vet with seizures and such from having OTC flea products on them....I think we should lobby the pet stores to stop carrying them

[kate & kobi]

But... you can buy Advantage and Revolution and Program in some pet stores. I buy Advantage from a store which is right across the street from my vet; the tech actually told me to buy it at the store because they get it cheaper.

Is this legal?

[Traci]

Kate, it's legal but not preferrable. In your particular case, there shouldn't be a problem because it is locally available and your vet obviously doesn't want to match the price. However, exams and a veterinary/client/patient bond are important when considering frequent use of any such products.

For reference, and this isn't limited to Frontline or Advantage, but a few reasons buying elsewhere or online are not preferred: no garantee of the product; potential mislabelling; for heartworm products, if you don't get it through your vet, the company will not offer reimbursement should your dog/cat develop heartworm (vet testing is required before preventative is prescribed); no product garantees if it fails; no emergency guideline/customer service should a product fail or cause an adverse reaction if you didn't get it from your vet; certain state laws regarding dispensing online; the list goes on.

[jason]

another question related to this.

other than vacuuming after applying flea control, are there safe sprays for the "cat areas" of the house...or something that could be used all over?

i've once used a flea spray for carpets that was picked up in a store, curious if its a good idea or not. i kept the cats out of the area for most of the day when i did it.

[Mona]

I agree with Traci, never use an over the counter product of any kind for deworming or flea control.

There are too many documented cases of cats and dogs having seizures, losing fur and basically being near death from their usage.

Trust your vet for products like Advantrage and Frontline.

I am still researching the Revolution which controls ticks, fleas and mosquitos etc. It is too new for me to use at this moment.

Mona, Chloe and Honeybun

[jason]

I agree with Traci

Trust your vet for products like Advantrage and Frontline.

i agreed as well, but i am not talking about applying this to their skin...i mean a spray for the carpet and surrounding areas.

are there advantage/frontline products for this?