Long Post........
(from my blog.......wanted to warn others!)
Do NOT use Sergeant's Gold Flea and Tick drops.
Bad bad bad.
I've heard not to use Hartz flea products on animals from other pet users and vets due to high incidences of reactions.
Now add Sergeant to that list.
Several hours ago, I applied, per label directions, the Gold Flea and Tick drops to Hailey, my dog. Same as I did last month. Heeding the "Do Not Use on Cats" warning, Hailey and I stayed out in another room for a bit so the cat wouldn't lick her. A few hours later, I stand up and walk into kitchen......I hear a loud noise and look back to see Hailey lying on her side kicking to get up. Ahhhhhh!!!!! She manages to get up but isn't walking right at all on one side. She shakes her head and it knocks her off balance and she crashes into my tambourine and bass!!!
I realized immediatly what was going on and persuaded her to get into the shower so I could wash her. She *hates* baths and will run away, nothing more pathetic than her wanting to run away but her legs weren't listening. She got in and was washed off completely 4 times with Dawn dishsoap. And she actually stayed still for the washing.
So I write this as I sit keeping an eye on her. Half a loaf of bread and a bowl of gatorade are in her stomach. She can walk now without falling over so I'm hoping she'll be ok. Did some research on the net.... try it. Type in Sergeants Flea and Tick Drop reaction and see the results.
I called the emergency number on the package. Tell the guy my dog is reacting to the product, what do I do? First thing he says is "We don't have any problems with animals reacting to our products". BS. Then he says... take to vet. Hey dummy, it's 9pm. Only thing open is an emergency vet that I've had bad experience at (which I may still take her to if she's not a lot better soon). Doesn't offer "Bathe Dog".....but does ask my full name, the barcode of the product, and the dogs name...and gives me a case number. Are you frickin kidding me? You've never had this problem yet you have a case number and know what info to ask me?!?!?! He says feel free to call or have your vet call us.... Fishy.
Hopefully this story gets happy ending (not sure yet, but she's doing a lot better) . But lesson learned and now passed on.........DON'T use this stuff. If this happens the second time I use it on a healthy young dog, what would happen on an older dog? And what if I hadn't realized what was going on or had applied it before going to bed/work? And.....what if I hadn't been so cautious about keeping cat from licking her?!
If you ever put flea drops on your dog/cat, do it on the weekend or some other time when you can keep an eye on them. Had I not caught this early and washed the stuff off of her, I'd get to wake up to even sicker dog. Or worse.
Stay away from that stuff...............
