Concerned about my kitty....

[WindingRoad]

My kitty is about 13 years old now. I put some flea stuff on her (Hartz) that you put on their necks. Ever since she's been acting strange. Earlier today she went and laid down in her litter box??? I've heard this can be a sign of a urinary tract infection? Any other kitty owners out there notice a change in behavior after putting flea stuff on your cat?:confused:

[KnottedYet]

I'd suggest calling the vet PDQ.

Most flea and tick poisons are neurotoxins.

If the cat is acting strangely, take her to the vet. Or call the 800 number on the box the stuff came in. My dog doesn't tolerate the stuff well.

[Biciclista]

i agree with Knot! there's still time to get that stuff off of her. For starters, start combing it out.
Call poison control or hartz and find out how to get it off of her. Call your veterinary. Cats have died from that stuff.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I saw a poor cat at the vet's with severe seizures it got from Hartz flea/tick neck stuff application. It almost died.
Call your vet right away- imagine how very sick that cat must feel to be lying in its litter box. It might get much worse- that stuff is long-acting poison. This is serious. Call your vet. :(

[ilima]

Just to reiterate--get that Hartz stuff off. ASAP.

It's the Permethrin that's the bad stuff. Advantage (but not Advantix, which has permethrin!!) is one of the safest for cats.

Please give us an update of your kitty.

[NoNo]

I remember when I first brought Ruthie to the vet, I asked about those medications. She specifically said never to use Hartz, so I've been using Revolution. I hope your kitty gets better fast!

[MartianDestiny]

Hope your kitty is doing ok!

Just to reiterate take her to the vet, call poison control, whatever it takes. Hartz makes some super nasty stuff and there have been some absolutely heartbreaking stories. It's a shame they're still allowed to make some of it with no reprocussions and little if any warnings to the pet owner :(:mad:

[smilingcat]

NEVER USE OVER THE COUNTER FLEA INSECTICIDE ON YOUR CAT.

GET IT OFF ASAP LIKE EVERYONE ELSE SAYS. TAKE YOUR KITTY TO THE VET.

I'm really sorry that you are going through this right now. I know you meant well for your baby and that's what make it so devastating and depressing. We are saying this for the well being of your kitty. Please understand that we are not passing judgement on you. You didn't know. Lot of us assume if its a major brand its safe. Sometimes its not.

Come this Dec. it will be three years when my cat was killed by the melamine tainted cat food. Premium brand no less. And it really broke my heart to see him suffering like that. So I do understand what you are going through. Don't blame yourself. Spend the energy to help your baby recover. I wish you well and to your kitty.

If you need to talk and vent, please write, we are all ears here.

Smilingcat

[KeepingUp]

We have to be careful what chemicals we use on our bodies and def have to be careful what we put on our pets. Poor kitty....hope all is well. There are so many chemicals out here for every little thing. Most of them have severe complications.

[WindingRoad]

We went to the vet today after she was up most of last night yeowling, throwing up and obviously not feeling well. She did have some kind of allergic reaction to that flea meds. I gave her a bath yesterday evening to get it off her furr. She is still throwing up some this evening but is acting a lot better. The vet gave her an antihistimine shot to help calm her down for the next few days and reduce the symptoms. He said she would probably just sleep a lot which is kinda funny since she does that most of the time anyway. I have to find a light side here, I feel horrible for putting that crap on her now. :( She is supposed to be OK I am assured. I have to take her back for her annual check next week so we'll have to check out some safer options for dealing with fleas.

Thank you for all of your input on this. :)

[Biciclista]

thanks for updating us, as you can see we were all worried. I hope she gets better too. And there are lots of better ways of dealing with fleas, they just cost more; but your kitty is worth it!

[PamNY]

I'm glad the news is good. Don't feel bad about using the product; it shouldn't be on the market. I hope she continues to feel better and that her annual check goes well. Cats are remarkably tough creatures.

Pam

[bmccasland]

WindingRoad - I hope kitty gets to feeling better. Do make certain she's drinking water, especially if she's been throwing up. A 3cc syringe works wonders on getting liquid down the throat. Of course it's now night, so you would have needed to have had one one hand before now...

[smilingcat]

Hi windingroad,

Thank you for the update. I'm really relieved that your baby is going to pull through.

As I said before, don't be so hard on yourself. You were trying to do the right thing. Who would have guessed that large national brand could be so harmful. They still claim its very safe. Totally unapolegetic about their product. Unless you have close friends who are deeply involved in animal welfare, you would not have known. Soo just count your blessing and know that someone was looking over both of you.

speedy recovery to the kitty,
Smilingcat

[Brandi]

Oh I am so gld everything is looking better now! And I am glad I read this thread. i will warn people about that stuff. I have always used Advantage. My one cat flips out when I put it on her. But i think she hates the smell.

[Brandi]

Oh I am so gald everything is looking better now! And I am glad I read this thread. i will warn people about that stuff. I have always used Advantage. My one cat flips out when I put it on her. But i think she hates the smell. I have to sneak up on her with it or she runs away and doesn't come in for a day. They must really hate the smell.But I have never had a problem with it either. My vet gave me a syringe that is marked for my cat's different wieghts. Then I use the for over 50 pound dog advantage. With three cats it lasts a loooong time. So if you are looking for a cheaper way I would ask your vet about that. The manufacturer of coarse doesn't want you to do that so shhhhhhhhh.

[Biciclista]

I have a cat who hates Advantage too. She knows the sound of the package. Last time I put it on my other cat and not her. The next day i had pet the cat with advantage on, and went to pet the cat who hates it. she took one whiff of my hand and bolted from the room. (sigh)