<snip>

I don't understand how these OTC flea treatments can still be out there when
*one* vet practice is seeing adverse reactions one or two times a month.  If
most vet practices see reactions at the same rate, that's cause to pull the
stuff off the market in my book.  I'm sure the family is comforted to know
they'll be getting $300 from Hartz. <sarcasam>  It's really sad,
well-meaning pet owners think they are doing the right thing by treating
their cat, and it can kill them.  Are dogs having the same bad reactions,
just curious.

And just *how* do they reimburse pet owners for the devastating emotional
loss of their beloved pets???  <...she says, reeking sarcasm>
Unfortunately, most courts still look at our pets only as "property."  It
seems that the only way to get this junk off the market would be for courts
to award amounts large enough to make the manufacturing of Hartz products
unprofitable.  Since that is unlikely, it is important for us to *stop
buying* ANY Hartz products.

MaryL

MaryL

What happened to the class action lawsuit against Hartz?  Or perhaps that
was just wishful thinking on my part.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats

A couple of years ago, I used over the counter flea control on my cat.  She
had such a horrible reaction, she was rushed to the vet had to be put on
intravenous and sedatives. The vet had said no wonder she's here, you
poisoned her. I felt awful of course.  She was running from room to room,
twitching , and just miserable.  I looked on the packaging later and
realized that it was for dogs only.!!! (I bought it for my dog)  My stupid,
stupid mistake.  I'm fortunate to have my cat with me today, but it could
have been fatal.
I now buy her ADVANTAGE (for cats) from the vet. No worries and no bad
reactions.  After this happened I did some research on these products, I
heard stories of animals dying, being ill.  I tell anyone who will listen to
me to be sure to buy any flea control from a vet.  My animals are worth it,
and I will not cut corners ever again.
Thankful to have my beloved pet with me today.

All of this could be avoided by dousing the furry f.cker in a bucket of Dawn
dishwashing liquid and water. It kills fleas - and vigorously drying with a
terry cloth towel brushes the blood suckers right off!!

zuzu22@webtv.net wrote in message
<20448-40C9474E-217@storefull-3196.bay.webtv.net>...

From: http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/family/3384622/detail.html

Cat Dies After Getting Over-The-Counter
Flea Treatment
Vets Warn Some Animals Can Have Adverse Reactions

WELLSVILLE, Kan. -- A family's beloved cat died this week, shortly after
receiving an over-the-counter flea treatment made by Hartz, KMBC's
Krista Klaus reported.
According to local veterinarians, the treatment can cause reactions in
pets, ranging from seizures to death in rare instances.

Kelly Sturdevant and her kids buried their Siamese cat, Mariah
(pictured, left), in their back yard in Wellsville, Kan.
Sturdevant said Mariah died a few weeks after she was treated with Hartz
Advanced Care flea and tick drops for the first time.

"She stopped eating and she was throwing up," Sturdevant said. "I kind
of feel like it was my fault. If I didn't put it on her, she'd still be
here."

Mariah's owners took her to a veterinarian, and the cat was put on an
intravenous drip for four days, but her liver gave out, Klaus reported.

The vet said Sturdevant wasn't alone.
"He'd had several reports of cats coming in who had that stuff applied
to them," Sturdevant said.

Vets at a specialty clinic in Overland Park said they see at least one
or two cases of toxic reactions to similar products every month. That's
why Dr. Jean Greek advises her clinets to stick with prescription flea
treatments.

"Over-the-counter products have a much less safe track record than
prescription products do," Greek said.
Greek added that the makers of over-the-counter flea treatments will
reimburse pet owners for vet expenses in the case of an adverse
reaction. In Sturdevant's case, that amounts to about $300, Klaus
reported.