Flea and Tick Drops Make Several Triad Cats Deathly Ill
A popular flea and tick medication is back on the market after the federal government asks its maker to clearly label the dangers.
Gretel, a cat, had a tough Fourth of July holiday ... along with her companions Rambo and Snowball.
"They're my babies, they're my family and without them it just wouldn't be the same," says owner Lauren Agnew
She wanted to protect them from fleas and ticks and used this Hartz product.
Soon she says the cats began to suffer side effects acting distant and crazy ... and then seizures.
Agnew rushed her cats to her vet who immediately diagnosed the problem.
"We see between 15 to 20 cases a summer. That's one of the first things we ask then, did you apply Hartz to your cat. a lot of the times that is the cause," says Dr. Melissa Bame of Alamance Veterinarian Hospital.
And Two Hartz products Dr. Bame feels are a problem, the Advanced Care Flea and Tick Drops for cats and Advance Care Once-a-Month Flea and Tick Drops.
She says the medication's main ingredient is the culprit, a pesticide called phenothrin banned in many uses because it's toxic.
It's not just cat owners here the in Triad who are complaining. More than 1,200 people from around the country have signed an online petition blasting the Hartz products.
And people are also complaining to the EPA, the agency has collected many adverse reaction reports to the Hartz products.
As a result, Hartz voluntarily agreed to withdraw the products last November and re-label them better instructions and warnings.
"Certainly the preliminary feedback that we have is that it's well accepted by the pet owners because they feel as if they are getting more information and that they are better able to use our products," says Dr. Albert Ahn of the Hartz Mountain Corporation, the maker of the products.
But Dr. Bame says cats are very sensitive to chemicals, and she says the new labeling did not help Agnew's cats and others around the country.
"Is this product safe? No. It's not safe for kitty cats. I know it has been recalled one time, but they need to do it again."
"We have been in business for 77 years and our business is the pet care business, so anytime we become aware of a concern or a potential problem, we do want to thoroughly investigate it and follow up on it," says Dr. Ahn.
And Hartz says they are currently looking into Agnew's case involving Rambo, Snowball and Gretel.
But in the meantime, Agnew says she doesn't need an investigation.
I will never buy a Hartz product again. If I see someone looking at it in the store, I will say do not get this.
Now if you use any of these products make sure you read the directions and warnings carefully and consult with your local vet.
If your cat develops symptoms, immediately wash the cat in cold water with a soft soap like ivory or dawn, the soap helps remove the product and the cold water lowers their body temperature.
Then take your cat to your vet.
|
Linear Mode
