I too suffered like the writers in this column. I Sprayed my cocker spaniel mix mozart with frontline and a few hours later his face was swollen, mouth eyes, everything swolen shut. I was so frightened i rushed him to the vets and he was given three injections as well as a million tablets. I also gave my two Pomeranian - Pekingese mixes and they were fine - so i know that he had an allergy - he was so sick - but i red the label many times before administering and no where did they say that some dogs would be allergic to this - I will NEVER use frontline again. in Trinidad we used to use pitch oil (a raw form of petroleum) and this worked fine ... but i told myself that these doctors know what they are doing. Never again Frontline makers are not even going to get a letter from me - i am just glad that my baby is fine.

Today we picked up an 8 week old puppy at the Humane Society. Before we left, one of the assistants applied two large sprays of Frontline from a spray bottle on the back of her neck and in between her shoulder blades. She was doing fine at first, but 6 hours later, she is foaming at the mouth, throwing up, itching herself like crazy, acting a bit disoriented, and has diarrhea. I'm really afraid this is from the Frontline. I think she was given too much.

I am now a firm believer that the Frontline Plus that i have applied to my golden labs has caused their seizures. We applied it last night and early this morning my son called me at work shaken because our 2 yr. old lab had a seizure. Our 3 yr. old lab has had seizures in the past and now after reading these posts and correlating the incidents, i am convinced. I am going to discontinue using the frontline, but need to treat my dogs due to many ticks in MN. Both of our dogs have had Lyme Disease. Does anyone have any suggestions on an alternative product to use for ticks? I pray for everyone that has experience terrible experiences with their beloved pets.

Hi,

You could try Advantix.

W

I had used Advantage Plus and Frontline (vet prescribed) on both my cats in the past.
I then purchased Frontline Plus from a pet store. Within about a week I noticed some crusty sores on the inside of one if their ears (the other one had no reaction). I applied Neosporin and a cortizone cream. That ear got better, but then is showed up in the other ear, and then both ears got worse and very pink. Off to vet and she gave her a cortizone shot (no ear infection present) and they got better immediately. She suggested it was an allergic reation to something. A week later the condition returned and back to the vet. She gave her an ear mite shot and suggested that she might have an allergic reation to a flea bite and to waite and see if the mite shot worked in 4 or 5 days, and if not, to reapply the Frontline. Well they didn't get better (ruling out ear mites) and I applied the Frontline again. Well it was all downhill from there. Her ears looked like they were sunburned and crust on the inside and out withing 1 1/2 days. She was lethargic, hunkered down and hiding. Her ears were so sensitive she would even scratch them. Her skin was jumpy all over and she kept biting at one of her hind legs. Back to the vet for a long-lasting cortizone shot (8 weeks). It lasted three and the condition returned. Back to the vet for a "final" long-lasting cortizone shot, from which she was immediately better. If the condition returns I will have to start giving her oral medication.

Possible allergans? I changed her cat litter, food, and beds. No access to toilet water, and discontinued their cat nip spray. I am convined that it was the Frontline Plus looking back at the timing of their applications. I will not use anything of this poison in the future. I don't have fleas since they are indoor cats, but just as a precaution I had Fleabusters come yesterday and put their non-toxic boric acid into the carpets. Fleas, their eggs and larvae cannot exist in the rug and die from dehydration. It lasts for a year and I have used them off and on for over 15 years with no probelms. I wish I had remember them before I used the Frontline.

Good luck with your darling pets everyone.

I applied frontline to my 2 year old cat Tigger last week, since then he has lost his hair at the application site and he looks as though he has a chemical burn. He has also developed a huge lump in his gland on his neck. He has only just got over an illness so I really feel for him especially as I know (from reading this) that it is highly likely to be a reaction to the Frontline. My other younger cat appears fine.

I have been trying to figure out wht my dogs' problem is for about a month now.. finally figured out, it makes the most sense that it is the Frontline! it is a bigger dose than normal because she just went over the 50 lbs threashhold.. and it comes out all over her body. That's how Frontline is suppose to work.. by being secreted out of the oil glands. It has secreted all over, and whereever it did, she has lost hair and developed small white scabby circles. It stinks.. =/ won't be using frontline again...

I applied frontline plus on my 40 lb lab on Thursday. I have a kitten 14 weeks old and 4 lbs that is created during the day but out at night and the dog and kitten play. I did NOT treat the kitten. Friday I noticed the kitten hadn't eaten, only taking water. Saturday he was very lethargic and weak . Sunday began vomiting. I have no dought it is the frontline because it is a poison however, what can I do to help ease his symtoms? I've been giving him electrolyte water.

Hi,

Frontline itself is not toxic to cats ( say the manufacturers) unless in overdosage, and I find it difficult to see how just being in contact with a properly treated dog could provide your kitten with ana excessive dose.
However, as you will see from above posts there are many reports of Frontline toxicity.
I suggest that you contact the manufacturers - Merial.co.uk (if you are in the uK) and ask for theri comments and advice.

W

My dog had the same reaction to frontline. My vet perscribed Comfortis to take instead and it seems to be doing the trick. It is an oral tablet instead of the liquid.

after putting fronline on my 1 1/2 year old dog,he developed seizers within 12 hours, now has a facil muscle problems
I WILL NEVER USE IT AGAAIN, IT IS COSTING MY PETS LIFE

I have a 10 year old mini poodle and I started to give her Frontline in November 08 because in the fall she had developed a skin irritation and the fleas were bad at the time so I was told to use it--I was also told that I could just continue to use it over the winter months--that it would not hurt. In April, she started to have periods of shivering and it seemed she were scared of something--her ears go back and her tail goes down--she acts wierd and scared for long periods of time. This dog is never scared of anything. At the same time she developed very loose bowels with mucus. I never really put two and two together until I talked to a woman who told me that her dog had seizures after using Front Line. Her last dose was June 2 and I will not give it to her again. She has continued to have periods where she is shaking and she is still having loose bowels--we are changing foods and I have her on antibiotics at the moment. I have read that it can take up to 3 months for Frontline to work out of their system. My happy little dog has been having it tough now for several months.

This story will sound all too familiar to you by now. My 9 year old Yorkie "Puddin" is now suffering at the hands of this vile MERIAL company. You know what they say? "anything for a buck".

Last month with her first application of FRONTLINE PLUS this year, (we had used it several years before with no reaction like this), after about 24 hours puddin became tormented with itching so bad she literally ripped most of the skin off of the top of her head. (I had no idea it was the frontline at this time) It became a oozing, seeping mess. We couldn't get in to see the vet we normally visit, so we took her to see the only vet that would see her that day. We did mention giving her frontline shortly before this ocurred. They shaved her head, gave her steroids, antibiotics, and kept her overnight. The vet did say it looked like an allergic reaction, but stopped short of saying it may be related to FRONTLINE. Within a week the reaction subsided, wounds healed, and fur began to grow again.

The next month, (a few of days ago) even with the suspicion that this reaction may have been caused by the FRONTLINE. I reluctantly, with no better option available, applied frontline to my dog again. Now she is itching incessantly once again, with the same kind of seeping wounds. This time above her left eye and on her left cheek. When she is not scratching she seems week and sluggish, sometimes losing control of her hind quarters.

Now we have an appointment with the vet who actually prescribed the frontline, this afternoon. Believe me, no one will ever talk me out of knowing this hideous money making, pet destroying, so called miracle treatment for fleas and ticks, called FRONTLINE PLUS is not responsible for my dogs suffering. I only wish I would have been more suspicious and found this site when it happened the first time.

I would like to tell all who have had pets suffer at the hands of FRONTLINE how sorry I am for the way your pets have been made to suffer in the name of the mighty $$$$.

I think at the very least this stuff needs the EPA equivalent of an FDA BLACKBOX WARNING: stating something to the effect of.. THIS MAY KILL YOUR PET.

i applied frontline spot on to 4 of my cats have always used the spray thought this would be better always used on dogs no problem that night one cat started to swallow funny cleared up next morning, that night my other cat was lethargic off his food and gagging was his eyes were squinty and his ears spread apart so i took him to the vets they thought he might have a foreign body stuck until i told them about my other cat and the frontline wondered if hed licked it off other cats and give him a steriod injection ,he improved very quickly it wore off yesterday and he had to go back hed lost his purr and meow they give him more steriods and antibiotics as his throat got infected because of the reaction hes also got ear drops because it affected them,hes alot better now but that night my other cat started showing the same symtoms she went to the vets 9pm that night and has had an injection shes doing well at the moment just waiting to see if she needs further treatment am contacting makers as soon as poss waiting to see if the same happens to fourth cat really worried but seems okay at min x fingers wondered if something was wrong with batch id bought.

Hi,

I think it unlikely to be a problem batch,. but there are reports of adverse reactions to Frontline. Make sue that either our vet or you file a 'Suspected Adverse Reaction form with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate

W

My dog has had a second treatment of the Frontline medication and she is scratching very badly. I have noticed that the past 2 months she broke out in a rash, it looks similar to a chicken pox out break, however these sores seem to be larger and harder to the touch. Could this be a reaction to the meds? I used to use the Sergents flea medication and she never reacted to that.

Thank you!
S

Hi,

How long was it after putting on the Frontline before the sores appeared?

W

Hi,

I noticed my 2 year old border terrier Archie had fleas so took him to the vet, they gave me Fronline spot on to apply and within 2 hours of application he become very lethargic over the next 24hrs he did not eat or want to go for a walk(the day before we walked about 3 mile). I also noticed some open like sores on his skin so took him back to the vet.
After examination they said he had some kind of infection(nothing to do with Frontline) and gave him antibiotics, The next day he was vomiting and was just laid over his water bowl not moving so I rushed hin straight back to the vet, at this stage he was so ill they kept him in the emergency dept and said they would carry out some blood tests and would keep us informed.
That night at 22.00 I got a phone call to say Archie was critical and he may not survive the night so the next morning when there was no call thought things were looking up, when I spoke to them they said he was comfortable but was waiting on the results of the blood tests.
4 hours later the results came back from the lab and they said he had Acute Leukemia And there was no cure. I was heartbroken that he had to be put down that night.Archie was a healthy dog until this treatment is it just a coincidence.

Hi,
Co-incidences like this do occur, but there seem to be quite a lot of them!

If you look back on this site you will see that many other pet owners share your concern.
Was a detailed PM carried out on your dog, or merely blood tests?
If you feel strogly enough, you could go the the Veterinary Medicines Inspectorate web site and download a 'suspected adverse reaction form' and submit it.

W

i have just used frontline on my boxer sam . i bathed him first and dried him off then applied the application on him . within a couple of hours he was extremely sick , and then we noticed lumps all over his body which are red and now have turned into a scab form . i am into the 8th day now and where the application was applied he has a 3 inch sore which has now completeley gone bald ! where he has been digging it to flesh . its a joke believe me , and im disgusted and i will be sending pictures of the damage to my poor animal to watchdog and please stick with me everyone as i feeel we all have to have an explanation . martin bennett and a poor boxer called sam



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/22/2009 11:43AM by Walter Beswick.

Hi, Martin,

I have slightly edited your contribution - I agree with your sentiments but I cannot post your language, sorry!

If you go to: www.vmd,gov.uk you will find an 'Adverse Reaction Report' form which you should complete and send to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, as well as making a complanit to Meriel, the manufacturers of Frontline.

W

I am very interested in all the info about frontline. We have taken on a 'failed' Guide Dog for the Blind. A beautiful Golden Retriever who started having seizures at 14 months old after being puppy walked and returning to the GD centre for formal training.I was told to Frontline her monthly.Her seizures have taken on a 6 week pattern over the year we have had her until recently. I have witheld Frontline and we are now into our 10th week siezure free.Early days but I just felt her system was already full enough of drugs for the elipepsy and have never liked Frontline but used it on vet's advice. I decided to deal with any fleas that might occur as and when I saw them with gentler methods. Can you suggest anything as a more natural alternative? I have heard that more natural products using cedar wood oil or similar can be quite effective. VSB Herefordshire.

Hi,

There are other 'spot-on' treatments which do not seem to have engendered as many suspected adverse reaction reports as has Frontline.
I use Advantage or Advocat on my dog, with no ill effects.

W

hi its tuesday 29th september .we put frontline combo on our dog a small jack russell terrier on 28th aug. about two days after appliying it we noticed she was'nt well then we saw large scabs on her back after looking all over her we saw them every where they would start as blisters then turn to crusty scabs had all tests done by my vet they found nothing she has now had 4 biopsys and are waiting for results can any one tell me have they had any thing like this as she is so ill we are very worrid my vet says she has never seen any thing like this it is only after putting frontline combo on our pet she is very saw and very very very itchy she is chewing herself raw all over and her volver is just one big crusty yellowy green mess please help

Hi,

You will see lots of reports of similar suspected adverse reactions to Frontline if you read through the posts above.
Insist thet your vet reports it to the appropriate authority - the FDA in USA, the VMD in the UK, etc.

W

All the messages I have read on here have been about dogs and it seems that the consensus is that these are rare reactions. I have 3 daughters and they each have a cat from different places, Ollie a turkish van from Harlepool, Smudge a black British short hair from Wales and Frodo a Felix lookalike from Devon.
All our 3 cats are allergic to frontline, they lose their hair in about a 2" diameter, their skin is red, weepy, blistery and sore. They sleep a lot for a few days and behave in an erratic way. Our vet changed them onto advocat which seems ok. The trouble is we seem to have a neighbour who thinks they are doing us a favour and frontlined smudge this week, who is now has a large sore at the base of his neck. It could be a reaction to having two lots of treatment a couple of weeks apart but it looks the same. I think Smudge may not be so friendly after this!

Hi,

Reports of suspected adverse reactions to Frontline continue to come in, but I do not think that Merial ever look at this site!

Only if proper reports are filed to the VMD ( Veterinary Medicines Directorate) on the prescribed 'Yellow Form' will any action be taken.

W

I am so relieved to find this discussion forum, I have searched tiresly on the web for some evidence of severe reactions to frontline. I only generally use frontline on my Ragdoll cats when I see any signs of infestation. My smallest Raggie Mitsy is generally very lethargic and a bit 'not with it' for a couple of days after application. 2 weeks ago today I applied frontline and 72 hrs later her limb function started to decline rapidly. First her back legs went then her walking and co-ordination and then her front end. After 3 trips to our local vet who initially thought it was a back injury, we were then transferred as an emergency to a specialist clinic. They have done all manner of invasive tests and found very little except that her nerves aren't functioning as they are not transmiting their signal to the muscles. This is how frontline kills parasytes by paralysis of the nervous system. She is still in care and after 2 weeks she is now showing small signs of improvement and yesterday finally ate solids. Me and my husband have been beside ourself with grief and the neurologist is reluctant to admit that the frontline is at the root of all this. As yet we are still hoping and praying she will continue to strengthen each day but I know for sure that I will never ever use this product again!!!

Hi, Frances,

May I suggest that you refer your vetand your consultant neurologist to this web site and this series of postings on 'Frontline'?

W

I have a bad itchy skin rash, could this be Frontline, my dog sleeps on my bed!