Our dog had an allergic reaction to Frontline Plus. He broke out in welts and sores.
The vet prescribed prednisone and tonight he is panting like crazy, in addition to drinking and urinating frequently. The vet mentioned that panting might be a side effect but I am worried he is panting so fast.
Is there any concern with it progressing to a heart attack or other worse issue? The prednizone did seem to help the skin, but the panting is frightening.
Cindy
Tags: Frontline Plus allergy, Frontline Plus reaction, one spot flea reaction, prednizone for dogs
My 14 y.o. calico DSH named Lucky almost died last summer when I applied Feline Frontline between her shoulder blades. This was not the first application; I have used it on her in summers past. She never liked it, but never had a severe reaction until this application. She is a very active & young 14 y.o. cat, that originally belonged to my sister that died of cancer in 2006. Lucky had been enjoying the outdoors all her life, and I simply cannot make her stay inside 24/7. She loves to spend some time outdoors when it’s warm.
Back to the Frontline: I applied it about 11pm, then let her go outside as I could tell she wanted to roll around on her back- to try to get it off. An hour later she was not back asking to come in, there was thunder & lightning and it was starting to rain. I got very concerned as this is not usual for her. I found her lying in the lawn, meowing weakly, and unable to move. I picked her up and her body felt so cold. She was vomiting white phlegm. I immediately took her inside, called our Vet’s emergency number, and took Lucky to her office where she and her Vet Tech met us. Lucky was given IV fluids, IV steroid, oxygen, and a bath. Her liver enzymes were elevated. She was stabilized; breathing easier and her oxygen level was rising. Our Vet referred me to the closest 24 hour hospital/referral center which is 2 1/2 hours away, and I drove Lucky there. She stayed for 1 1/2 days, and within 1 1/2 weeks, was back to herself. I cannot be 100% certain her illness was caused by Frontline, but what a coincidence in an otherwise healthy pet. She is normally a consciencious groomer and is very flexible (almost a contortionist!). It’s my belief that she somehow reached and licked the insecticide while trying to get it off of her skin.
$1700 to save her, but worth it as I am so thankful that she healed completely. So thankful for every day we have together, after this close call. Lucky is a precious girl!
I reported the probable reaction to the manufacturer. They and my Vet of course recommend I not dose her with Frontline ever again. And believe me when I say I haven’t and won’t! ***Does anyone know of any flea treatment/prevention that does not have the potential side effect of being neurotoxic/fatal?*** I bought a flea collar last night, but after reading the instructions/precautions on the box, was apprehensive to even put that on Lucky. So I used the flea collar on my other cat instead (who does not go outside).
My 7 year old Wheaten has been experiencing the same itching sores around the mouth undercarriage, armpits, top, back end. We also thought it was seasonal allergies. But, when he was one and 2 years old we gave him Lyme vaccine and he went lame in one leg, spent $7000. with various vets, 5 to be exact, including Tufts. Water therapy etc. etc etc. When the lameness shifted from one leg to the other I came to believe it was the vaccine. So yesterday we go to the vet again because of the skin problem, gave him a dose of frontline June 9th. Now I’m thinking he is sensitive to drugs and wondering if there are similar agents in both drugs Vet did not know, she gave me a bunch of nothing but she did divulge that she does not give her dog frontline, only Lyme shots. I stupidly did not ask her why she does not? Then I came upon this site to find many others have the same symptoms and it confirmed my suspicion – we are poisoning our dog with Frontline! What are you dog owners doing for flea treatment? Jeanne
My dog is actimg very weird since applying frontline plus… he’s very jumpy and can’t be still… I’m scared
I put Frontline on my Old English Sheepdog Thursday. Friday she was all broke out and having difficult time breathing. Saturday took her to vet. She has allergies and he gave her predinisone shot and pills. Sunday she if getting better but still just lays and wants no one near her. I was told don’t use frontline again. I was given a oral flea pill to try next month. Hopefully she is better tomorrow.
My 15 month old lab has had itching problems since she was very young. I had tried switching food and she seemed to improve until Aug. 1st, when I applied Frontline. That very night she started itching all over. Today, Aug 4, she is covered in hives and has been scratching like crazy. I am convinced it’s the Frontline. We will be seeing the Vet later today. No more Frontline for her!
My 3 year old lab has hives all over her entire body and open sores that started today. I put frontline on her 3 days ago. She was also bit by a garder snake this week so I was unsure what she was having a reaction to. After reading this page I am pretty sure it is the frontline! Just spent $56.00 and I will be writing to the company. I will definitely pass this info. on to friends!
After our trip to the vet, my dog was put on Prednisone which has really helped. She’s still got a few hives and blisters but she’s much more comfortable. The vet wasn’t sure about the Frontline but next month suggested using Advantage.
Well my cat has a large, nickle sized scab (still with hair on it) right around the same area where frontline was applied. Unsure if related; vet thought it could be an injury of some sort; but agreed it’s awfully odd given the size. Looks like it is improving thankfully!
My cat developed the same severe itching and nickle/quarter sized spot at the site where I applied the Frontline Plus. The location where it was applied is now totally bare of fur and has a sore spot from my cat scratching so badly. Off to the Vet I go…which by the way…they recommended the Frontline Plus. Don’t use the Hartz ones at Walmart….I have 3 cats and put one on each cat and I thought they were going to die. They were in a daze and literally “Stoned” for the next 2-3 days after I applied that one.
It’s nearly 1:00 a.m. and I’m scouring every site I can find trying to figure out what’s wrong with my dog. 26lb 8 yr old cockapoo, who has been in excellent health. Four days ago she became lethargic, then wouldn’t move, had high fever, etc. No cold symptoms — just not moving, barely opening her eyes. Rushed her to Vet and becaused of her high fever, left her for the night. Vet called to tell me she tested “active” for lyme disease (heartbreaking), AND he found a puncture wound between her shoulder blades. We thought she’d played hard with another dog; then when I saw the wound today, it was much worse; dark/black, surrounding skin red and raw. The hole is bigger than he told me; he said it got worse over night, and was wondering if she hadn’t been bitten by a brown spider. But the location really bothered me because it’s exactly where I applied Frontline three weeks ago. She’s been scratching at her ears (no ear infection) scratching like crazy under her chin, for weeks. Could not figure out what the probelm was, and didn’t connect the dot with Frontline until tonight. We even thought it might be a reaction to Heartguard, which the dog received five days ago. Now it may be that she was already suffering alleric symptoms and the Heartguard just tipped it even worse. She’s on antibiotics, is spending the night here at home, but may go back to the Vet with MY diagnosis tomorrow. So very sad… and expensive!
Worried what was the outcome?
Our 3 yr old Newf had a SEVERE allergic reaction w/in 48 hrs of applying Frontline Plus. Hives on her abdomen and swollen lymph glands. We have used this in the past and did not notice a reaction before. $2000 vet bill for diagnosis and overnight care and medication. Will not use this product again.
After reading these comments I now believe that my black lab is allergic to frontline plus. He always hated having this applied but I didn’t realize that he was allergic to it until the last dose. He broke out on his stomach and under armpits twice after having this applied. He lost his hair on his stomach from the irritation also. Last month and also the beginning of this month his rash was horrible. We took him to the vet both times and he was put on an antibotic and also a steroid. He isi now better – but it’s time for this flea treatment! I refuse to put the frontline plus on him again although he’s bothered by fleas. Does anyone have anyother solutions? Does frontline plus and heartguard have the same ingredients?
Our 3-yr old otherwise healthy English Mastiff had similar symptoms to “Worried”‘s dog. He became lethargic, would not eat and ran a high fever and has fluid in his joints. He was taken to the animal emergency clinic, put on antibiotics, steroids, IV’s. All tests for infection turned up negative. There is a “hot spot” on his back, exactly where Frontline Plus was applied. The vets believe there is a possibility that Frontline caused an allergic reaction. Hopefully he will recover and have no long-term arthritic effects. The vet bill was close to $2,000.
I applied frontline plus to my dog on dec 14th, 2011. by the next day he had a couple of hives. but by dinner time of the same evening his entire shoulders, back and thighs had broken out in hives. and I didn’t think frontline until I started doin some research. and low and behold. I’m not the only one. I read the box 20 times and didn’t see a single warning of possible anything. upon further investigation I found a pc of paper inside the box saying what I now think should clearly say something about what could happen. not save it for a fuckin pc of paper inside the box. if ya had I wouldnt have given ya nearly 60 bucks to poison my dog. I was ignorant to what I thought was so safe cause of its widespread use. but I didn’t know of the widespread cases of similar horror stories. he’s been on prednisone and benedryl since the dec 16th. he doesn’t seem to be getting better. two days ago his temperment changed to lethargic and disconnected. sometimes stairing at nothing for quite some time. my boxer has become a different dog both in personality wise and in appearance. my heart is breaking everyday since the 15. I am taking dax to another vet tomorrow as I simply need a second opinion. my lil boy is everything to me and im sure yours is also. please don’t end up like me and dax. I am hoping since its a monthly treatment his symptoms will subside soon. if the y don’t I may be looking at the slow decline of my best friend. and I’m gonna have to live w the fact I’m the one responsible. I love my dog so much. get the word out. if these ppl won’t let the world know they could possibly destroy their pets lives. I will. twitter, fb, whatever. nobody should be ignorant like I was. the price is simply to great.
sorry for the profanity. I just love my dog to much
Matt: Have the vet do tests. Our dog was diagnosed with polyarthropody, which was caused by an infection from Frontline Plus that went into his joints. He wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t move, almost died. He was on antibiotics and steroids (Prednisone), which he is currently being weaned off of. It was strongly felt by our vet and specialists who saved his life that this all started from a “hot spot” infection caused by Frontline Plus. Currently we have spent probably over $2500 because of this and the bills are still ongoing because his treatment is not finished. Hopefully the joint problem was temporary and he’ll be ok, but that is yet to be determined until he gets totally off the Prednisone. Good luck!
Get your dog help immediately!
I have been searching for stories like this from the last 6 months or so. I put frontline on my 10year old yorkie last week, now he already had some dry skin which I now think started with the last dose, I thought it was because we switched to electric heat at first, however last week after applying the frontline and waiting two days to bathe him I noticed something on him that he has never had before. Blood started coming off him and I found a lump on his shoulder I washed him off and began towel drying only to notice a dime size piece of flesh missing with what looked like a puncture wound n the center. It was so red and raw that it reminded me of a hot spot but it wasn’t warm, it didn’t hurt him and the hair wasn’t falling off around it. With him being 10 I thought it could have been a tumor but the lump was new and it’s impossible to progress that fast within two days. The bleeding would not stop so off to the vet we went, he did a skin test and found bacteria in the wound and asked if I had given any topical treatments and that’s when I realized the flesh came off right where I applied frontline. We ran a complete blood work up and everything came back fine so he is now on antibiotics just in case as well as a topical spray for his skin to help with healing, pain, itching etc. I will never ever use frontline again. I have 3 other dogs and luckily they did not have a reaction and it terrifies me to think what would of happen if I used the entire dose on him. Since he is only 5lbs I use half the dose for a small dog.
He seems to be getting better and today he will get another bath to clean off some of the scabbing and see how his skin is.
Now I work at a pet supplies store and the other day a customer came in asking if any reactions to frontline had been reported, he has an 8 month old golden who broke out all over after an application last month and his was put on steroids for it. Yesterday a customer who lives next to the store came in and bought an application for her 10 month old black lab and 15 minutes later came running back because her dog had started foaming at the mouth and scratching at the area like crazy, I went to take a look at him and he would not even let me touch the area so I told her to give him a bath right away and try to get as much of it off as possible. She did that and called her vet who told her to bathe him 3 additional times with dawn dishsoap. At that point we stopped selling frontline and called the company who would not but any reps on the phone, so we will be trying again tomorrow but will not be selling their product in the store, 3 dogs in one month is way too many for a product that is supposed to be safe.
Thank you all. I have been struggling with my FCR having SO many issues, changing her food repeatedly, yelling at my husband for giving her a tiny scrap of food but now, I am sure it is the Frontline Plus. I decided to keep track to see. I changed her food again, shortly after her last dose and she has been doing wonderfully, yet, on Sunday I put the Frontline on and she was rolling on her back, rubbing all over the floor, walls, inside and outside the house. Now, 3 days later she is chewing her feet again, has a rash again, scabs etc. The issue is this– I live in Florida, we are at a hunting camp in the woods every weekend except in summer and all three of my dogs pick up ticks there. I do not know what other options to try even after seeing what everyone else has said.
I put frontline pluss on my 6 year old chihuhua. And in 2 days he had hives watery eyes bumps on his back and jumped when we tried to touch him I was terrified he would die… Took him to the vet which was a shitty vet,and he said its fine just give him benadryl -_- that it happens a lot with frontline pluss WTF are they selling to put in our dogs :0
My 7 year old golden broke out in blisters from frontline application. Her skin was weeping, swollen and blistered. She was shaved given ointment and heavy steroids to help stop the reaction. I wonder what this med is doing inside her body…oh yeah, it’s poison. Never will do this again, just passing this along to prevent other animals from suffering.
My pug has the same symptoms from using Frontline. He got firey red all over with big welts on him. He also was in misery with itching. My other 2 dogs seem to tolerate it better. I also noticed my pug seems lethargic for a couple days after application. Anybody out there know of a natural way to get rid of fleas on your pet?
What can you use if your dog is allregic to frontline?
I gave my 3 mo great frontline. She started to break out weld on and around application area. Luckily it wasn’t a severe reaction like I have been reading. I washed her with dawn dishsoap(penguin on bottle). The break outs have subsided. Gonna wash her a couple more times with it. They have flea and tick pills out there. I have since put her on that. It’s called trifexis. It is heart worm AND flea pill in one. She had no reaction to it. And she be flea and tick free
In March I put frontline Plus on my 8 yo. Boston. A week later she began to act score like her back hurt her. Three days after that she developed an abscess on her face. She was put on Clavamox. A few days later her fever was nearly 105 and her hock and lymphs began to swell. Lymes/Ehrlich test negative and no cancer. She was put on Zeniquin which did not lower the temp and her leg had ballooned so off the a referral vet we go. Again they tested for tick born diseases and looked for cancer. Blood was sent to a university lab for more advanced screening. Antibiotic was switched yet again. At the recheck temp still elevated but coming down. Since she had a sore that needed to be closed up before beginning steroid treatment we opted to have the lumps biopsied for infection and fungus. Those tests also came back negative. She is being treated for a form of Penniculitis without a known cause. Next step will be a dermatologic specialist as it looks like Frontline plus could be the cause. BTW we are now into this for $4000. In a typical year I only use regular Frontline twice, once in the Spring then again in the fall. We do not have a flea problem we have a tick problem. Thanks for reading.
I too just recently applied Frontline plus and now both my 6 year old chihuhua and 5 year old shih szu have icthy sores on their little bodies. I was so relieved to see that it’s an allergic reaction and not some disease, but how do I treat it?
After a visit with the vet, I bought and applied Frontline Plus about a week and a half ago for the first time to my 11 year old healthy German Shepherd. A couple days later, he began scratching/licking/biting his legs and occasionally his belly. This now happens several times a day. He is an indoor dog and only goes outside through a doggy door when he needs to relieve himself. He has never had fleas or ticks, and has never had itching like this before. I searched for fleas/ticks/something for the cause of his discomfort and found nothing but red/irritated skin and a little bit of hair loss around his ankle area. Could it be an allergic reaction to the Frontline or is it a coincidence that this started after application?
put frontline on my cat..he had an asthmatic reaction to it..its been over 2 weeks and I cannot get the asthma under control. Been to vet 3 times and down over $500 for this. Now today my pittie has a serious red rash on the application spot..wasn’t there yesterday and I applied it almost 2 weeks ago. Never using frontline again on any of my pets
June 20 2012: We gave our dogs (black lab, 74 lbs, mutt, 11 lbs) fronline plus the day before yesterday, using the appropriate dosages for each dog – the treatments were give at about 4 PM. The lab was fine, they’ve been on it for years. The next morning – about 6 AM – the small dog was listless, didn’t want to eat, and seemed to have a problem with his back legs. My wife – thanks to her research and the notes on blogs – used Dove soap to wash the small dog and we kept an eye on him throughout the day. As the day wore on he gradually improved and this morning he is almost back to normal. Probably be fine by the end of the day. We may have picked the treatments at BJs or Costco, I’m thinking BJs. Going to start looking for something else.
About June 20th I applied the “big dog” dose of Frontline Plus to my 120lb. Cane Corso female, scattering little spots of it from shoulder to shoulder across what I refer to as the “cape” area, 10-15 spots till all applied. No heavily concentrated areas. Just like I applied it countless times before. No adverse effects. Fleas gone, happy girl.
On June 23rd, she wasn’t very interested in eating, picked at her food, eventually refusing it all together. Odd, since her twice a day meals are enthusiasticly consumed. When Sophie stops eating, somethings wrong. Hmmmm…. maybe just a little indigestion, Ithought, for she does get treats and sometimes a few too many. Then Her water intake trippled, and has stayed that way. She wont eat but a small amount of boiled chicken or scramb.eggs at a time.
CONTINUED FROM ABOVE….
No breakouts on her skin, but EXTREME fatigue, wants out to potty and comes right back in, almost struggles to make it up the
3steps to come in. Her eyes are blood-shot weepy and nose has been runny. Seems almost like a case of the flu. Her Vet today said he’s puzzled, because all tests, (exam, temp, UA, etc) all show a negative. Blood panel will be back tomorrow,,so we have yet to see that.
NOW THAT I HAVE READ WHAT ALL OF YOU HAVE SAID ABOUT YOUR OWN PETS…..It sounds like the same story.. POISONING!!!
Two other dogs in our home ( both under 15lbs ) are fine, they all got FrontlinePlus at the same time.
Has anyone gotten SOLID PROOF this is what this crap does? Maybe a CLASS ACTION SUIT should be filed against the manufacturer. Something has to be done to stop these monsters.
They dont give a rip whether or not our pets are flea free….Its all about the Corporate Bottom Line> $$$$$
I will report back here once I get Sophies blood panel report back to let you know results.
Keeping all of our babies in my prayers…….Barb C.
CONTINUED FROM ABOVE….
No breakouts on her skin, but EXTREME fatigue, wants out to potty and comes right back in, almost struggles to make it up the
3steps to come in. Her eyes are blood-shot weepy and nose has been runny. Seems almost like a case of the flu. Her Vet today said he’s puzzled, because all tests, (exam, temp, UA, etc) all show a negative. Blood panel will be back tomorrow,,so we have yet to see that.
NOW THAT I HAVE READ WHAT ALL OF YOU HAVE SAID ABOUT YOUR OWN PETS…..It sounds like the same story.. POISONING!!!
Two other dogs in our home ( both under 15lbs ) are fine, they all got FrontlinePlus at the same time.
Has anyone gotten SOLID PROOF this is what this crap does? Maybe a CLASS ACTION SUIT should be filed against the manufacturer. Something has to be done to stop these monsters.
They dont give a rip whether or not our pets are flea free….Its all about the Corporate Bottom Line> $$$$$
I will report back here once I get Sophies blood panel report back to let you know results.
Keeping all of our babies in my prayers…….Barb C.
Sorry but the first part of Sophies struggle with FRONTLINE POISON was somehow sucked into a black hole in cyberspace.
She got the big dog dose of it on June 17th. She is an 8yr old 120lb Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff ) Two days later, I knew some thing was wrong. Whenever I apply it, it goes on from shoulder to shoulder, almost in a triangular pattern across her shoulders and back of her neck. No concentrated areas, about 20 drops. There were no breakout spots or hives. However, you wouldnt notice that since every square inch of her had puffed up and turned red.
She is dark gray but her pink tummy, bloodshot eyes,and inner eyelids were real red. Refused food, no energy, sleeping alot, feverish, stress panting, restless, and several episodes of pharyngeal spasms, what some call “reverse sneezing”. Basicaly, suffering aform of anaphalxis. Her water intake, however, trippled.
She would go out and potty, with coaxing. Finally a little tiny hunger came back, but gave her soft scrambled egg and poached chicken breast. No oil,salt, just protein. I tried everything, those got her to eat. This is a dog that normaly eats 4-6 cups of homemade fresh balanced meals twice a day, and loves it.
This is about what I can remember of the FIRST HALF of my post that vanished off this page. You probably read the 2nd half, marked continued, first. You’ll figure iit out.
I sincerely hope any of what my baby girl is going through helps anyone looking for info about this poison. Youre not alone.
PS…DOC had me give her Benedryl™ for allergic symptoms.. dosing is 1mg per pound of bodyweight. Come in 25mg caps or tabs. Either are fine, tablets alow you to split the tab for more accurate dosing. Sophie is 120lbs, but I gave her a 100 lb. dog dose,,4 capsues,, wrapped in a pc. of bologna.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Swelling, redness, really reduced. And she feels better.
Recommended NOT TO EXCEED 3 DOSES IN 24 HOURS. Please check with your own Vet before proceeding. Also ask about giving some ASPIRIN, it will help with any aches/pain they may have.
I am giving ONE low dose ( 81mg ) uncoated tab every 6hrs.
AGAIN…Ask your VET if its OKAY and HOW MUCH/HOW OFTEN
Hi all. I had given my 5 yr old lab/pit mix frontline plus the beginning of May, & June. Her paws stared getting very itchy, she was constantly licking them. All the time I’m thinking she had gotten into poison ivey or something, washed her paws real good, gave her Benadryl, it would help for a little while & would come right back. During that time we watched every move outdoors & made certain she didnt go in weeds where we thought the poison ivey was. Then by June 26th her paws were extremely red, oozy and bleeding, she had started limping due to the pain. Her lip area on her face was every puffy with red bumps all over them. She was laying around all the time not very intrested in playing which is very unlike her. We took her to the vet & he said it was a definite allergic reaction like contact dermatitis or something & gave her a prednisone shot & put her on a round of antibiotics. She’s all better now acting like a puppy again, & even looks skinnier. I believe her entire body was swelled up! She’s solid black so I never actually saw any hives, but I’m assuming she had that at the beginning. After reading all of these posts I’m convinced it’s the front line that’s caused all of this! She never had any of these reactions during the winter months, as she’s not treated during that time. She lives inside the house. Im so glad I found this site & I will never put that stuff on my dog again!!
Our dog Macey lost her hair at the sites where I applied Frontline Plus. She is a 28 lb. dachshund mix and now I don’t know what else to use on her … I think I’ll just keep giving her baths to keep her fleas away…I don’t need any huge vet bills and I certainly don’t want her to experience any more discomfort!
omg!! ive had the exact same situation with my staffy. i thought he was uncomfortable an itchy due to the summer months tho after applying frontline almost a week ago he has gone bald an has loads of hives all over his shoulders and neck an they r breaking out all over his body, what can i do to help him? i feel awful knowing its me that has caused him to b itchy
I will never apply Frontline again. I applied a dose between the shoulder blades of my 6 yr old maltese beagle. He does not like frontline. He usually runs away when he sees it in my hand. Within an hour of giving it , he appeared very sad and quiet. Thinking he would like a walk , my son took him and he was hunched and barely able to walk. He then was unable to walk and had to be carried into the house. He was panting and having tremors of his legs I called the vet and told them that I thought it was a Frontline reaction. They disagreed but advised me to use dish soap to remove it. They said to watch him and use emergency vet care as needed. Over 4 hours of watching him the panting decreased but he still would not walk. Upon putting his leash on to go to emergency vet he began walking normal. It was very strange. I almost did not take him into the vet . I told the e.r. Vet my story. She also said it was not the Frontline. She felt he was having back pain. She gave him IV hydromorphone and a shot of steroids. He was sent home on tramidol and prednisone He again will not walk and is not eating or drinking . I am very worried. He is just lying here!! This is Crazy. I believe it is from the Frontline!!! I am praying he is better in the morning.
Our Britanny spaniel has also been poisoned with Frontline Plus. It is almost 3 weeks she is barely holding on. Can anybody help us? Our vet has given her nothing. Also claims if is not Frontline. So does the company. We have been bathing her with Dawn dish washing detergent. She has lost so much weight, sleeps all of the time, wont eat, drinks a lot of water. She is 6 years old. We are afraid she is not going to pull through. Please help.
Gave the Frontline Plus last week Tuesday to my older Basset Hound, same symptoms as above, itchy, panting, increased water, now lack of appetite – does anyone know how long before these GOD-awful symptoms start to subside????
My Jack Russell Terrier is having same horrible reaction as many others. This is her second Frontline treatment this season. Watery eye, uncontrolled jerking when her fur is stroked, Uncontrolled itching. severe redness at application site. I feel so sorry I listened to my Vet’s recommendation (a coincidence, you decide; i.e. where do you run when the problems start). Of course, both the Vet and Frontline are out but so is my pocketbook! I will try the above suggestions and I thank everyone who wrote in to tell what helps.
Last month we gave our Bloodhound her first dose of the season of Front Line Plus. She has been scratching and chewing herself raw since then. I feel so bad for her. This same thing happened last year and we blamed the poor cat for bringing fleas in even though we never saw any. Does anyone know how long it will take before this wears off, she’s about 105 pounds. I want to give her a Benadryl to see if that helps with the itchy skin.
Our lab border collie mix has suffered for months with open red sores and yellow pus like scaling all over his hind end. I have spent so much money at the vet that I should own half the place! Just now realized it all started after putting on the frontline substitute sold a Walmart. This dog is a mess. We have bathed him twice a week (with no soap or flea bath) just to try and get him to stop itching, chewing and sucking on his body, legs and feet. We now are giving him Benadryl and aspirin to see if that will help.
I have a 10 month old Miniture Pincher (Mojo). I have applied frontline twice in Mojos life so far. I noticed Mojo kept scraching in the area frontline was applied. I examined the area an notice their were many bumps under the skin in that area. They feel like cysts. Has anyone else had this reaction to frontline???? I will no longer be putting any unnatural products on my Mojo.
Last month gave FRONTLINE plus to my basset and within 24 hours he had developed a huge welt/sore in the the application area and localised hairloss.
With 3 days this has developed into hives all over the body and dramatic hairloss
30 days on and although the application area has cleared – his whole underbelly is going almost totally bald.
I contacted FRONTLINE straight away – and they saif this is not an unusual side affect – and just gave me a case number – not comforting
FYI
This never happened when we used UK Frontline when I lived there
USA FRONTLINE IS EVIL PLEASE DO NOT USE ON YOUR LOVE ONES
All these stories sound just like what we are going through with our 8 year old, 97 pound chocolate lab. We’ve been to the vet twice in the past week and poor Jenny doesn’t seem to be getting any better. She’s on antibiotics but today at the vet he shaved off 16 different spots where she had open wounds (back, tail, ear, sides and paw). She also has running eyes which we’ve been treating with steroid/antibiotic ointment for a week now. The vet feels she’s developed glaucoma in her right eye and will likely loose all sight in that eye. She was also running a fever today. He added anti-inflammatory drugs today but is at a loss as to what is causing the problems. She lays in one spot for hours, stumbles when she walks and can’t make it up the 3 stairs to the house without a lot of help. I’m scared to death for her. I’ve passed all the information from everyone on this site on to my vet and am awaiting a call back now. Anyone know how long these symptoms last–we’re going on 10 days now and getting worse instead of better.
All of the flea meds are traditionally a pesticide. Our first Weimaraner used Frontline successfully but one time I used BioSpot and had same reaction with itchy and rolling and immediately washed off. Our new young Weim was given Trifexis when there was the heartgard shortage back in Feb/March this year and had severe diarehha for over a week, was lethargic and sleepy for 2 days and after much googling and help with her breeded, that can cause some serious side effects and believe that is what happened. Back in early July, we went to a park that was foresty and she had a few bumps near her neck that didn’t seem to go away. Fearing fleas or something else that got to her b/c I was swatting flies off both of us that day, I treated her with Frontline Plus as well. We are still battling a skin issue today. SHe had more bumps after I applied, I washed off that night or next day and talked vet into giving her antiobiotics b/c thought she may have had a staph infection which is common in young Weims and especially in heat like we have had. She was a bit better but not fully so vet had me stop giving Cephaflexin and put her on short course of Pred. Didn’t help at all and even tried some Zyrtec as benedryl didn’t help fully. She was put back on Cephaflexin for 2 weeks and just given another 2 weeks b/c vet knows it got worse when pulled heroff the first time and haven’t figured out. Have no idea if was front line or was the beginning of what I noticed to prompt me to put frontlne on her. She is on different food (fish) and started her on some natural supplements from our vet – STandard Process Derm Support and another immune herb booster. Can’t believe the vet prescribed since they were more convential in the past but she does seem to be improving a bit in 2 days. The issue is that it is bumps only on her back/sides that seem to wax and wane. Nothing on belly/feet/ or anywhere else. She was itchy in beginning but less now but still not going away. Being that it is August and this started in July, it very well can be an inhallant allergy too. She is only 11 months old so don’t have history with a summer but grass and mold are also out right now.
My point is, any flea preventative or any med can cause a reaction in any animal. If unsure, don’t use or try something with a totally diff ingredient if not sure it caused a reaction. Our other Weim was allergic to many drugs and always did my homework or asked vet about all side effects (even rare) when they were prescribed. Also how to handle a reeaction just in case he experienced. I suggest the same for all of you so at least you are aware of all potential effects and how to handle…just to be safe.
I hope her skin clears up before winter and we don’t experience again next July but until then, we watch what she eats, bath her in gentle skin shampoo for allergies/infections on a weekly basis and hope for it to go away.
Good luck with all your dogs as well. I definitelly would not advise Trifexis until you read all of the side effects and google reactions. This is a new drug which is my warning as not much known about. I have bought a spray that will be used when needed as it is not long acting. That way we use low dose and only when needed since in an area that is not flea infested.
My 5 year old Airedale is having, what I am convinced esp. after reading so many of these stories, an allergic reaction to Frontline/PetArmour (the Walmart Version). I am now wondering if it could be the PetArmour because I have noticed this reaction mostly since switching to that brand, but I can not really prove that. I would not just stay away from anything like Frontline. His reaction has been hives or scabs mostly around his hind quarters, and his neck. Places that are hard for him to reach, making his scratching all the more difficult. I have long wondered what could be causing these outbreaks, and am now convinced it is the frontline. Last summer he also contracted Lyme disease, while on Frontline (never found a tick). So I also question its effectiveness, at lease with my dog.
I applied Frontline to my chihuahua on May 31st and within 2 weeks, he became lethargic, wouldn’t eat or drink and became unable to move. When the vet did bloodwork, his white blood cells were elevated and he was running a fever. They put him on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory over the weekend. Come Monday we were back at the vets because his symptoms were getting worse. They put him on new antibiotics and Prednisone. Unfortunately, he is still on the Prednisone because every time we try to taper him off the pain returns. So now we are in the process of setting up a spinal tap appointment. The vet seems to think it could be immunity defficiency or a form of menengitis….but I believe it was the Frontline, seeing as how he was completey healthy before recieving the treatment!! =(
Hi, I recently gave my pit bull frontline. Its been about 2-3 weeks and he broke out into these small, mosquito bite like bumps on his shoulders where the frontline was applied. They were oily at first, then became scabby.. now those scabs have come off into big OPEN sores! The bumps have also spread all the way down his back. I have no idea what to do, I’ve given him an ointment to prevent infection and relieve pain but I want to completely fix the problem if possible, and suggestions on what I should do?