Frontline Plus/Advantage Warning

[ugadog99]

First, I am not a vet, so this is strictly from my experience and what I believe to be true. There is a bit of a backstory, so I'll explain.

We have a 1 1/2 year old beagle who has had three seizures in the 10 months that we have had her. The last seizure was the worst by far of the three. Interestingly, it happened after having given her Frontline for fleas. At the time, I didn't put the Frontline application and the seizure together. Now, I really can't remember with the other two seizures if they happened shortly after Frontline applications or not. Beagles do have issues with seizure disorder, so that's why I didn't put the Frontline and last seizure together.

A month or two ago, we applied Advantage (I switched to the Frontline recently because I had a coupon.). My 8 year old dachshund had a seizure and had never had one in her entire life. Again, it was shortly after the flea medicine application. Again, at the time, I didn't think too much about it.

Today, we again applied Frontline to all the dogs. Again, another seizure. This time, it was the scariest of all. My 17 year old, congestive heart failure dachshund had one! Again, up until today, she had never had a seizure.

So, I went online and found way too many reports of these flea medicines causing seizures. No, most vets won't admit there is a correlation, and we certainly know Frontline or Advantage will never admit it. What I do know, is that we will never use either product again. I'm looking into other flea control options. I'm even considering going the natural route.

Okay, rant over, but I just wanted to give a warning to others.

 

[JessicaR]

I guess it depends on the dog. I have two and not a seizure in 7 years using Frontline plus. We live in a huge tick infested area and one of my dogs has had lymes in the past. There is no way I would stop using Frontline for us. But if my dogs had a problem that I thought was related I would look into other options too.

I hope you figure it out!

 

[ugadog99]

I know there are many, many dogs who tolerate the Frontline/Advantage very well and never have side effects. I do find it very interesting that three different dogs had seizures on three different occasions after having been treated for fleas. That's enough for me to never use either one again.

If anyone uses flea treatments that do not contain pesticides, I'd love to know about them!

Thanks!

 

[MJMouse]

My dog is allergic to both Frontline and Advantix, so we've moved on to more natural methods of flea/tick control. The vet I use is supportive and gave me some ideas for what to do. He actually doesn't use either for his 5 dogs on a large rural property. Said he has used Frontline once in 5 years and only b/c he saw a flea on one of the dogs.

I do the following:

- Small amount of Brewers Yeast on her food a couple times a week (reported to help repel fleas... no solid evidence that it works, but she likes it and vet said it won't hurt her).

- Daily brushing (paying special attention to the stomach and paws to be sure no flea dirt). I also make sure to brush right after she comes in from our evening walk.

- Weekly bath with Baby Shampoo

- Spray every other day with Avon Skin-So-Soft (repels bugs)

- Another trick is to rub a dryer sheet on their fur (especially legs and belly) then tie it to their collar. The scent helps repel bugs... even mosquitoes.

It's a lot more work than putting a liquid on the back of her neck, but she's much more comfortable!!

 

[ugadog99]

Thanks, MJMouse. I'll try anything if it keeps the seizures away. Anyone else have other remedies?

 

[Pomlover2586]

I've worked in a vet clinic and have experienced this before. One of 3 things is happening:

A] you're dog is allergic to the medication [frontline and advantage have the same base ingredients] and is having an allergic reaction resulting in the seizure.

B] You are applying to frontline/advantage too close together......you should wait a MINIMUM of 28 days BETWEEN applications of ANY flea product. By applying it too close together, the medication is still in their system and you are overdosing the animal.

OR

C] If you are applying advantage or frontline and using a flea collar/flea bath/ etc around the same time you are again overdosing the animal.

Either way I recommend you stop using these products and take a trip to the vet for a full evaluation to make sure the dogs are not allergic. Good Luck

 

[JR6ooo4]

another common factor is all three dogs in one household.

I would be scared as well. we were half way through a case of the recalled wet nutro food!!

But no reaction...

Mikeeee

 

[SUSIEQ]

First, I am not a vet, so this is strictly from my experience and what I believe to be true. There is a bit of a backstory, so I'll explain.

We have a 1 1/2 year old beagle who has had three seizures in the 10 months that we have had her. The last seizure was the worst by far of the three. Interestingly, it happened after having given her Frontline for fleas. At the time, I didn't put the Frontline application and the seizure together. Now, I really can't remember with the other two seizures if they happened shortly after Frontline applications or not. Beagles do have issues with seizure disorder, so that's why I didn't put the Frontline and last seizure together.

A month or two ago, we applied Advantage (I switched to the Frontline recently because I had a coupon.). My 8 year old dachshund had a seizure and had never had one in her entire life. Again, it was shortly after the flea medicine application. Again, at the time, I didn't think too much about it.

Today, we again applied Frontline to all the dogs. Again, another seizure. This time, it was the scariest of all. My 17 year old, congestive heart failure dachshund had one! Again, up until today, she had never had a seizure.

So, I went online and found way too many reports of these flea medicines causing seizures. No, most vets won't admit there is a correlation, and we certainly know Frontline or Advantage will never admit it. What I do know, is that we will never use either product again. I'm looking into other flea control options. I'm even considering going the natural route.

Okay, rant over, but I just wanted to give a warning to others.

Did you buy the Frontline & Advantage from your vet or from an online supply place?

 

[tazdev3225]

My mom and brother had problems with seizures and flea collars. I put Frontline Plus on my dog and 2 cats this week and they are fine. We tried all the natural ways and my dog is bald on her tail from biting so much. Since we applied the Frontline and sprayed the whole house my dog is doing so much better already. I have only been bit once in the last 2 days and I am allergic to the fleas. I hope the natural methods work for you and your furbabies are doing better. The seizures can be quite scary for you and them.

 

[MM27]

To the OP, have you discussed this with the vet? I've used Frontline on my dog for years now and never had a problem, but I agree with a PP that maybe it's an allergic reaction.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We used Frontline Plus on our nine year old black lab three weeks ago for the first time. She had a seizure (her first ever) about six hours after I applied it. She didn't have anymore for two weeks, and then had at least eight within three days. She spent those days in the animal hospital ICU and aspirated fluid into her lungs during a really bad seizure, and passed away that night. We are hearthbroken over her loss.

I have said to dh many times over the last few weeks that I think the Frontline was involved. She first saw the ER vet, and then was taken over by the neurology team. I also took her to see her regular vet after the initial seizure. I told everyone about how the first seizure happened shortly after the Frontline, and not one of them think it has anything to do with it.

She did have an MRI at the hospital which showed a small growth along the base of her brain, but the neurologists also didn't think that it was big enough to be causing such significant seizures. In the end she was on three different seizure medications, a steroid and a valium drip.

It just seemed very coincidental to me, that hours after applying the Frontline this began.

 

[2binak]

Did you buy the Frontline & Advantage from your vet or from an online supply place?

I'd like to know this as well. The online suppliers sometimes sell expired or "fake" products under the name of the brand names. OP - I'm sorry your dogs have had these awful experiences. Luckily, we've used Frontline Top Spot for 8 years and never had an issue (knock on wood). I hope your dogs are ok now.

 

[worm761]

We use K9 Advantix and or Vectra on our dogs. This is what our vet suggested to us. We have never had seizure problems. Though my sister uses Advantage and her dog recently started having them. I will tell her your story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ugadog99]

First, the frontline came from the vet. Secondly, we wait at least 30-35 days between dosings. Third, no flea collars or baths. The vet says it's not frontline/advantage, but hey, they sell it in the office. Do you think they will tell you a product they sell causes seizures? I don't think so.

All I know is that we will never use it again. In fact, the elderly dachshund had another seizure from the time of the original post. This time it was much shorter and not as severe, but still just as scary.

Don't fool yourselves, people, the vets will never admit to it causing issues in some dogs. Until something is done about a warning on these products, this will continue. If I had any idea this could have even possibly been a side effect, we would never have bought the stuff in the first place.

 

[ugadog99]

It just seemed very coincidental to me, that hours after applying the Frontline this began.

That's exactly how I feel. The beagle was the first one this happened to, so I didn't really connect the dots. Beagles are known for having seizure disorder, so I just thought that was it. Now, I'm not so sure. I think we are definitely going the natural route from here on and will see if the dogs have any further seizures.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I have used both those products and have never had a problem with my cats. One of my cats has a seizure everytime she gets her vaccinations, what do you do, it is just her .

I have a rabbit as well and have been using Advantage on him for the last 3 months with no problem.

Have any of you ever used Revolution? We really like it and it is only avail from your vet, and prevents fleas, ticks, heartworms, and ear mites.

Suzanne

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I purchased it at the animal hospital.

 

[SandrA9810]

Do you know that the flea repelant works for 3 months? the tick part only works for about month. So you're constantly overdosing on the medicine. I only give my dog Advantage every 3 months, and I've never seen her pick up ticks. Occasionally 1 flea from the dog park or kennel, but nothing that ends up more than that.

You should also wait at least 3 days before and after giving the medication to give a bath. The dog needs natural oils in the coat to spread the medication.


I recently got an advertisment from my vet about a pill form of flea repelant, but I have yet to look into it any more.

 

[tasha99]

I have never heard of Frontline causing problems, but the kind of flea medicine they sell in pet stores (Hartz etc) can be deadly to cats. It's such a common problem that it's pretty shocking they're even allowed to sell it.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Do you know that the flea repelant works for 3 months? the tick part only works for about month. So you're constantly overdosing on the medicine. I only give my dog Advantage every 3 months, and I've never seen her pick up ticks. Occasionally 1 flea from the dog park or kennel, but nothing that ends up more than that.

You should also wait at least 3 days before and after giving the medication to give a bath. The dog needs natural oils in the coat to spread the medication.


I recently got an advertisment from my vet about a pill form of flea repelant, but I have yet to look into it any more.

Do you have info to back that up??? There is no way they would sell a product to use monthly if it was effective for 3 months. I can also tell you it isn't true, because it doesn't even last a month on my rabbit, so I am going to have to find something else.

Suzanne