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IMP: Learn to read the labels on Flea Control Products-your cats and dogs may be in danger
Feb 13, 2006


Cat Flea Control Products Warning

From Franny Syufy,
Your Guide to Cats.
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Learn to read the labels!

I received an email from a friend, telling about a serious incident with her neighbor's cat: "Jinx was twitching her ears and facial muscles uncontrollably and walking very unsteadily. This is called "tremors." It's a sign on some kind of neurological damage or a neurological reaction to a toxin. Because of the constant involuntary muscle activity, the cat can become hyperthermic and develop a high fever, which can lead to a stroke and death in just a few hours."

Jinx's symptoms were the result of an over-the-counter topical flea control medication applied the previous day by his owner, and were likely a direct reaction to that product. The villain is a chemical called permethrin, which is known to be highly toxic to cats, causing permethrin toxicosis. Its symptoms are tremors, seizures, and ataxia (difficulty walking).


Armed with this knowledge, it is difficult to understand why pharmaceutical companies continue to manufacture flea products potential toxin for cats.


But they do, and they insist that their products are safe. But more about that later-- Permethrin can be found in a number of products labeled for cats, or for dogs and cats.

  • Happy Jack DD-33 Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs and Cats
  • Duocide L.A. Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs & Cats (Mfg. Virbac)
  • KC 14-Day Flea & Tick Mist W/Aloe For Dogs & Cats
  • No-Hop Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs & Cats
  • Proticall Insecticide Coat Conditioner for Dogs & Cats
  • Prozap Drycide Topical for Pets
  • Repel-A-Cide Dip for Dogs & Cats
  • Ritter's WB-14 Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs & Cats
  • Synerkyl AQ Pet Spray for Dogs and Cats
  • Synerkyl Creme Rinse for Dogs & Cats
  • Synerkyl Pet Spray for Dogs & Cats
  • Synerkyl Shampoo for Dogs & Cats

Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, and is used in a large number of products for agricultural, home and garden use, and by agencies such as mosquito control districts.


Because of its potential for toxicity to cats, I would recommend avoiding any such products for use around the home. Become an inveterate label-reader. Also make it a point to follow label instructions to the letter, and avoid off-label use of any product, unless specifically prescribed by a veterinarian. (And much more about that later..

The Hartz Mountain Controversy

Flea and tick control products are registered with the EPA. Under federal law, manufacturers of these products are required to file a report each time a consumer complains about problems with the products. In 2001, the EPA instituted an investigation of several Hartz products, prompted by "large numbers of incidents reported in the quarterly aggregate reports for these products." (Quarterly reports referenced were from 3rd quarter 1998 through 4th quarter 2000.) The Hartz products reviewed were:
  1. 2596-146¹ Control One-Spot for Dogs
    (2.9% methoprene and 45% permethrin)
  2. 2596-147 Control One-Spot for Cats
    (2.9% methoprene)
  3. 2596-148 Advanced Care Flea and Tick Drops for Cats (85.7% d-phenothrin and 2.9% methoprene)
  4. 2596-150 Advanced Care Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs (85.7% dphenothrin and 2.9% methoprene)
The investigation found that 141 cat deaths were directly attributable to having been treated either intentionally or accidentally with Product #2596-146, and an additional 17 deaths came from contact with dogs treated with that product.


These deaths constituted 66% of the total deaths reported. Of Major Events (not resulting in death) reported, 316 were in cats directly treated with Product #2596-146, or having contact with treated dogs. These figures provide a compelling reason to observe label instructions in all products.


There were 202 deaths reported for Product #2596-147, (from data provided by NAPCC (National Animal Poison Control Center). Of those, 75 were considered unlikely due to product exposure, and 109 deaths were of unknown cause, partially due to incomplete information by the reporting persons.² Nine cases of liver failure and death were found to be attributable to that product.


Of "major events" (not death related incidents), 128 (76%) involved tremor and/or seizures, and 109 of the total 169 "were categorized as unlikely caused by 2596-147." It should be noted that this product does not contain permethrin. Its active ingredient is methoprene. However, with this ingredient alone, the report cited multiple cases of "possible dermal hypersensitivity, with symptoms of "hyperactivity, nervousness, trying to bite at application site, hissing, agitation, tachycardia, dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and panting."


A Packaging Mix-Up?

The EPA found evidence of a possible packaging mix-up, e.g. that the product intended for dogs was accidentally placed into packaging intended for cats - a possibility that certainly could account for the "unknown cause" conclusions, given the results of the report on the related product meant for dogs only. Hartz officials deny this possibility. But one of the report recommendations is for a "product relabeling and recovery program," to check the ingredients of products on shelves of retail outlets across the country, particularly those that might have old, outdated packaging, to preclude the possibility of a packaging mix-up.


For purposes of brevity, I will not include the reports on the remaining products. However, it is strongly suggested that the reader read the EPA report in its entirety, and form your own conclusions.


¹The EPA Product Registration Number
²The report further states: In the NAPCC reports, there are notations in the narrative sections where the toxicologists repeatedly questioned owners and veterinarians about such exposure. Even if owners insisted that a cat was exposed only to 2596-147, an incident was still categorized as doubtful (unlikely using EPA categories).

Grassroots Movements

It should not be surprising that the EPA investigation of Hartz Mountain products comes as a direct result of a grassroots movement of upset consumers who believe their cats' illnesses and/or deaths were a direct result of using Hartz products on their cats. Possibly the largest and most active of these is HartzVictims.org, in existence since November, 2002, with hundreds of stories by disgruntled consumers. The "Against Hartz" web site offers a comprehensive list of related sites, news releases, and articles.

The news media were quick to pick up on the consumer allegations, and investigative reporters from newspapers, radio, and television stations around the U.S. played a part in solidifying the grassroots efforts.


Hartz Lawsuit

Shortly after the release of the EPA report, a class action lawsuit against Hartz Mountain Corporation was filed by the law firm of Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, on behalf of a woman whose three cats allegedly suffered severe reactions after one dose of the drops. It is believed that lawsuit was settled with the corporation, but it is unknown exactly how many class plaintiffs eventually participated.


Officials of the Hartz company still stand firmly behind their product, and its President and CEO, Bob Devine, has issued a statement to that effect.


Other Safety Tips

Aside from permethrin, another ingredient to avoid in flea and tick preventatives is organophosphates, which may be at least partially suspect in Mad Cow Disease. The CFA warns against the use of any flea control products containing organophosphates. Permethrin is one, another is phosmet, and a third is diazinon. Diazinon is particularly toxic to Persian cats, according to this article, which states in part:

    Cats are more sensitive to organophosphate insecticides than most other animals. Currently, there are few flea products in the United States labeled for use on cats that contain organophosphates as an active ingredient. The few that can be used on cats contain a small concentration of organophosphate. However, many household sprays and products that are specifically labeled "for use on dogs only" are widely available. Again, avoid these dog products!

There have even been a few documented cases of "organophosphate intoxication" of professional pet groomers who regularly use organophosphate dips on their client dogs and cats.

To review, these precautions should always be taken when using flea and tick products on your cats:

  1. Always, ALWAYS carefully read and closely follow label instructions.
  2. NEVER use an OTC product intended for dogs on a cat!
  3. Do not use any flea control products on very young kittens, pregnant cats, very old cats, or sick cats, without your veterinarian's supervision.
  4. Avoid products containing organophosphates, including permethrin.
  5. Closely watch your cat for adverse reactions after administering topical flea products.
  6. If adverse symptoms appear, such as drooling, tremors, ataxia (difficulty walking), or seizures, immediately wash the application area with mild soap, rinse with water, then get the cat to the veterinarian right away. If "after hours," go to an emergency clinic.
  7. If your cat goes outdoors, avoid the use of organophosphates in yard and lawn sprays.
Jinx, the cat I mentioned at the beginning of this article, is doing well, so far, thanks to the knowledgeable intervention of my friend, Eileen Poole. The area where the flea drops were applied was washed thoroughly with a mild detergent, and rinsed. Jinx's owner is monitoring his condition carefully, as some toxins work slowly.


Jinx's owner learned the hard way. If you learn nothing else from this article, I hope you will take away with you the importance of reading labels, of being aware of your cats normal health, and to act without delay if anything seems amiss.

Online movementto raise awareness on the dangers of Hartz products
Visibility: Everyone
Posted: Monday February 13, 2006, 1:00 am
Tags: cats dogs poisoning petcare fleacontrol permethrintoxicosis permethrin hartzmountain controlone-spotfordogs controlone-spotforcats organophosphateinsecticides insecticide methoprene "organophosphate intoxication [add/edit tags]

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