Why NOT to use over the counter flea remedies (Warning: Graphic Image)

This cat came to the shelter when his owner couldn't care for him after he sustained a major reaction to over the counter flea medicine (applied as a liquid between the shoulder blades). To avoid potential legal problems, I cannot and will not name the manufacturer, but this is a product you can buy in just about any pet store.

This photo was taken this week, three weeks after the cat was brought in. He actually looks better in this photo than he did 3 weeks ago, as he has been healing. He's getting treated with topical medicine to heal the wound, and the vet is hoping for a full recovery.

Please, if your cat has fleas, talk to your vet about flea prevention, and find out which products are safe for your cat.

Don't these products need FDA approval, and if so, how did this particular one get it? The poor cat. I'll definitely spread the word.

Oh my god that is so horrible. I only use Advantage if I use anything.

Why did the owner bring her to the shelter?? Could they not afford a vet trip or something? Are they going to come back for the cat?

Sad.

The owner just brought the cat in as a surrender. They said they couldn't care for it. At least they didn't put it out on the highway, that's something to be grateful for. I think this is another cat that, even if never adopted, will always have a home at the shelter. No one could put him down after he's been through all this!

Poor kitty.

*snuggles*.

Hope the kitty gets well soon and gets a new Forever Home...

Good for them and the cat that they surrendered him instead of dumping him along the road or somewhere else.

OMG how sad , poor kittie . I do hope that still somebody will come and give him a forever home .
I agree with Sue , get some save flea products . The vet is usualy the best place to get it and not in a regular store .

I'm sorry but it really burns me that someone would surrender their cat just because it had a reaction to flea medication. It's their fault in the first place

Glad to know that cat wont be put down though.

The reasons people give for surrendering cats are amazing. "I'm moving to Florida and they don't allow cats" is my favorite. The whole state? Also there was the couple a few weeks ago who came in and said, "We'd like to DONATE a cat", oh yes, we accept donations....

Unbelievable.

First I should tell you that not only does Florida not allow cats, but the norther part of Wisconsin apparently doesn't allow cats either. And yes we have had people so kindly offer to "give" us cats & my other favorite is when people as "Do you need any cats?" One day I'm going to loose it & say, Do you see an empty cage here do you think we NEED any more cats? I'd be glad if we were in need of cats because that would mean people weren't being so stupid about thier animals.

Second, I have a question. I never knew this could happen with over the counter flea products & now I'm worried because I put some on my cats last week because they keep running out the door & I wanted to make sure if they got away from me they would be protected from fleas & ticks. So how long after application does this kind of reaction show up? They are fine right now, but I'm worried. Let me just say after seeing this I will NEVER use that stuff again, I'll call my Vet.

One of my cats reacted badly to over the counter flea medicine as well. It was not a skin irritation, as in this case. I had put the medicine on him in the evening.The next morning my cat was on the couch shivering. I went over for a closer look and discovered he was in having sezures. His little tounge hung out and he just shook and shook, like he was cold. I was so scared. It was sunday and the vet was out. I called the 1-800 number ont the package the medicine came in. Right on the recorded message I got, it said please call your vet if your animal is experiencing a reaction. They werent in either. I was so scared. I just put him on my bed and covered him up and laid with him all day. I thought he would die for sure before monday morning. About 5 hours later he threw up( alot) and then he quit shaking. I fed him ice cream (breyers mint chocalate chip) and he went to sleep. When he woke up he was better. I dont know what would have happened if he wouldnt have thrown up. I still dont know how but he must have licked some of the medicine. I told my vet about what happened, he said never never use anyting but frontline.
On a lighter note, now everytime I eat Breyers ice cream, my cat thinks he needs his own bowl, or at least that i should let him eat some of mine!:icecream:

That poor cat...that wound looks horrible. Glad she is being well cared for.

That looks soooo painful!

Originally posted by Rang_27
I have a question. I never knew this could happen with over the counter flea products & now I'm worried because I put some on my cats last week because they keep running out the door & I wanted to make sure if they got away from me they would be protected from fleas & ticks. So how long after application does this kind of reaction show up? They are fine right now, but I'm worried. Let me just say after seeing this I will NEVER use that stuff again, I'll call my Vet.

Click to expand...

I honestly have no idea how long it takes. I would think that a week later, you would know of they were going to have a problem; the cat would be scratching or worrying at the spot at the very least if it was problematic.

I fed him ice cream (breyers mint chocalate chip) and he went to sleep. When he woke up he was better

Click to expand...

Lily I am glad your cat got better, but please know that chocolate is toxic to cats. In the future, just stick to plain old vanilla.

I just remember that Calipso and Darling had a reaction many years ago of a flea product from over the counter . Calipso had a sore where I put the trops , but not as bad like the cat shown . the sore showed up like the next day and she was trying to lick it off but could not .Calipso also were sleeping a lot in that time . Darling was differend , she was like acting like paranoit and was hiding and running away from everything if I remember right . Darling had also a very little sore there after I finaly see her after maybe 5 days . Since that time I don't buy over counter any more flea trops .

I used a flea collar on Midnight when I first adopted him 11 years ago, the hair under it fell off and his neck felt hot after just a few days, so needless to say, I cut the collar off and threw it away. I have never used flea collars on my cats since then! I have been very, very, VERY lucky in that we've only had fleas once, 10 yrs ago, when Midnight was an only cat. He got medicine from the vet and I fleabombed the apartment while he and I went to my mom's for the day.

I get fleas from the dog comming in and out , even though he is also on Frontline Plus . I hate fleas

That is an awful picture, poor kitty. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll find a real furrever home, one that will be responsible if they cause a huge hole in his skin like that!!

I've never used that over the counter stuff on mine, thankfully. Revolution or Advantage is what I use.

I don't think I can work in a shelter. Mom of 10 cats, you are a super person!
Poor kitty! Hope everything turns out for the better!