Pet owners only please!?

Question

So I'm really torn here. I've been using Front-line flea and tick treatment for a few months on my now one year old cats. I've ran out of the prescription and I went to 1800petmeds.com and I started reading testimonies. A lot of people are saying that when they use Front-line their pets get rashes and lumps where it is applied on the animal's scruff. I've never really looked into what Front-line does to my cats, but now I'm afraid to use it! I mean lumps? Yikes! So here's the question... are there others out that use similar or different products? What do you pet-lovers out there prefer? Any answers greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

All of the topical flea products carry some side effects since you are putting chemicals on your pet. I personally use revolution on my cats since I live in South Florida and fleas are a year round problem.  I like it because it kills the fleas, heart worm, hookworms, roundworm & ear mites.  It takes a vet prescription but I can buy it from a local spay/nueter clinic that I also get my cats their shots and yearly exam.  Do your research online and figure out which product is right for you and your kitty. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I work in  a veterinary clinic, and Frontline is our #1 choice due to the heavy tick population here.  I have never seen a rash or lump occur after applying Frontline, though I suppose anything is possible. The worst I've seen is a small area of hair loss (on 2 dogs) and occasionally an animal that can feel the product spreading on the skin will rub itself on the carpet for a few hours.  It's one of the safest products out there and the only one you can get without a prescription. The company does not sell its product directly to online pharmacies, which means places like PetMeds have to buy it indirectly from other sources.  You run the risk of getting a counterfeit product when you order Frontline online.  Revolution and Advantage are good veterinary-quality products, and ProMeris is brand new for fleas this year, all 3 require prescriptions from the vet.  Revolution is a great choice for outdoor cats because it also kills mites and intestinal parasites, and also prevents heartworm.  DEFINITELY avoid grocery store brand flea products (Hartz, Sargent's etc) because those do cause serious problems in cats-seizures, skin rashes, even death.  I have yet to find an herbal remedy for fleas that actually works.  I see people recommend garlic a lot, but garlic is TOXIC to cats and dogs.  It can prevent red blood cells from carrying oxygen properly in these species.

Answer 3

I have always used the equivalent version of frontline (spot on) and it has never caused any problems for any of my cats. I have never looked for lumps or rashes but since they havent appeared to be in any discomfort then they were obviously fine! If your cats dont show any signs of discomfort after the product has been applied then I wouldnt worry too much, but if you are worried or they do show any signs, I suggest taking your cats to the vets to ask their opinion.

Answer 4

I always recommend a vet but perhaps something with aloe vera would not be bad try that.

Answer 5

I always use front line. My German Shepherd is thirteen and I have used it on her, with no problems since she was 5 months old, when we first got her. She did have a few lumps one year, but we discovered that she had been laying on an ants nest.

This medication has been tested thoroughly, but some may have a reaction to it, the same as humans build up intolerance's. Have a word with your vet if you're worried.

Answer 6

I've been using Advantage on my cats for a couple of years without any problems.  On my dog I use Frontline Plus - only because they have a dose for large dogs (he's 100 lbs)  

Some cats may have allergies to the meds but more likely the lumps are from an allergic reaction to the FLEAS and were there before these people medicated their pets.  Ask your vet about this if you're concerned.

And FYI to the other person's comments.  Just because a cat doesn't go outside doesn't mean it can't get fleas.  My cats NEVER go outdoors and my dog is treated.  But the prior owner of my home had dogs that he kept mainly out in the yard and shortly after I moved in here we had fleas in the house - most likely they hitchhiked in on a pant leg.  Much better to protect your pets with a reliable, safe product like Advantage or Frontline than to deal with a flea infestation and cats with tapeworm from the fleas.

Answer 7

Those things are poison, so I'm not surprised about rashes and lumps. Do your cats go outside? Mine don't, and I don't use anything on them. I don't use anything on my dogs either. I'd be especially wary putting that stuff on cats since they could possibly ingest the stuff...not to mention people petting them and getting it on themselves.