After a complete physical examination, your veterinarian will make a presumptive diagnosis if there is a known or possible history of exposure to a product containing a pyrethrin or pyrethroid, or ingestion of flea/tick medicine. It kills fleas and ticks without having to expose your dog to flea bites. The most common flea of North America can transmit diseases like typhus, flea-borne spotted fever, bartonellosis (AKA cat-scratch disease), and flea tapeworms, Klein adds. This can include panting, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, seizures and even death. One collar offers protection for 8 months and you dont need a prescription from your veterinarian. Join the fastest-growing email membership in pet care! Substances that are toxic to insects such as fleas and ticks can also be harmful when exposed to pets in large quantities. Some medications that commonly cause stomach upset are: Antibiotics. Pets can experience side effects to medications they are given, just like people. Some dogs may require a combination of medications, while others may only require one specific medication. Excessive drooling, agitation and excitability are also common signs of flea medication poisoning. In the case, youre using sprays, powders, or topical medication, you should wash your dog with a mild detergent like Dawn and warm water immediately after they start acting weird and before bringing them to the vet. Common brands of pyrethrins/pyrethroids include: Keep in mind there are many more generic and brand-name preventives that include these ingredients. It is effective against four types of ticks: lone star tick, American dog tick, black-legged tick, and brown dog tick. Some common flea and tick medications contain pyrethrins or pyrethroids. Let our authors & experts know what you think. Featured Image: iStock.com/Andrey Maximenko. Once your pet has been stabilized, they can be washed with a liquid hand-washing detergent to remove the medication from their skin and fur. If I know someone who wants the cheapest medication, I try to steer them toward Frontline Plus or Advantage because they are over the counter and known to be safe and usually effective, says Jeffrey. NexGard Chews for Dogs, 60.1-121 lbs. are vet-recommended and FDA-approved to kill adult fleas fast before they have a chance to lay eggs. When your dog eats a flea or tick that has been treated with flea and tick medicine, it will no longer be able to move. All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. Look for these signs. Pill type: Over the counterIf your dog was already infested with fleas, this fast-acting treatment works to kill 90 percent of fleas within four hours of taking it. In these less severe cases, some medications cannot be abruptly stopped. Our Pick: Richards Organic Flea and Tick Dog Spray. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids typically come in varying concentrations. Why is my pet still scratching after applying flea treatment? Your pets health status and age. Consider using a veterinarian-prescribed flea control product for safer, more effective treatment. Permethrin and pyrethrins are toxic to pets and should not be used on other animals. Some flea chews for dogs protect against fleas and ticks, while others offer broader coverage. In these cases, a missed dose can quickly lead to treatment failure. Your pet may be having a side effect from a prescribed pet medication, or it could be possible that they got more than the recommended dose. If the dog is vomiting and shows symptoms of sickness after digesting the tablet, bring them in for an examination. Dogs that have severe reactions need immediate emergency care, requiring hospitalization, fluid support,and temperature control. As a result, when a pet presents with signs of pyrethrin/pyrethroid poisoning but hasn't been treated with flea or tick medication recently, your vet will also ask whether they could have been exposed to any garden insecticides, fertilizers, or other products that may contain these substances. Lethargy is a common side-effect of many medicines. Symptoms Of Flea And Tick Medicine Intoxication In Dogs Symptoms may vary from mild to serious depending on the reaction your dog will have, but you can usually notice one or more of these signs: Allergic reaction: Itching, swelling, skin rash, congestion, coughing, shortness of breath, watery/red eyes, shock, death (rare). Why Is Your Dog Acting Weird After Flea Medicine? Information about exactly how long a particular product works against different types of parasites is readily available on the medication . There is a long-term and short-term toxicity of flea and tick medicines, depending on the type of medication used. Therefore, splitting the doses can lead to an ineffective dosage. This way, you can remove the medication from their skin and possibly slow down the intoxication. Higher concentrations can be safely used on dogs, but cats are more sensitive to these chemicals and cannot metabolize these drugs. A flare factor is a condition that causes dramatic worsening of itching or skin inflammation that was previously under control. I personally have prescribed this countless times. She has a strong interest in crafting content that will inspire and help pet parents make informed decisions. Do not retreat more than once every seven days not to exceed weekly treatments. 2023 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Active ingredients in organophosphate products include chlorpyrifos, crufomate, dichlorvos, diazinon, haloxon, naphthalophos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, and malathion. The Dodo reached out to Dr. John Sangiorgio, a veterinarian at CompleteCare Veterinary Center in New York City, to find out which flea pills he recommends. Excessive saliva production, or hypersalivation, is a common side effect with some pet medications. On the other side of the spectrum, a dog that is lethargic after the flea medication may be even more worrying. Adverse reactions such as excessive drooling, paw flicking/scratching, and ear twitching are often mild and can go away on their own. Its the only product that combines sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel in each treatment to help prevent heartworm disease, kill fleas before they can lay eggs, kill five types of ticks, treat and prevent flea infestations, and treat and control roundworms and hookworms. When you use a substance containing an ectoparasiticide on your canine family member, always record the amount, day, and time of use. Flea pills or chewable tablets are oral medications that you give to your dog to treat and prevent fleas. The most common cause of overdose is an excess dose. Common side effects are increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and lethargy. These chews start knocking out fleas within just one hour, with 96 percent effectiveness within four hours. In mild cases, your pet can be treated, but depending on the type of medication and amount ingested, an overdose can cause illness and even death. Since most flea preventives have a tick preventative, I avoid this ingredient if there is a cat in the house that could be exposed., Make sure to reach the label closely. What happens if you put too much flea treatment on a dog? This topical product contains the ingredients fipronil and methoprene, which kill fleas during all stages of their life cycle. The fleas and ticks ingest the chemicals, which cause them to become paralyzed. Pyrethroid-based topical flea and tick preventives, especially spot-on formulas, cause symptoms that can develop from 15 minutes to several hours after application to your dogs skin. The main ingredients in these medications are isoxazolines, which are non-competitive GABA receptor antagonists. An overdose of dog flea treatment can cause a number of symptoms such as: Muscle twitches, and the dog won't be able to control his muscles Lack of coordination Confusion Excessive drooling Moving in circles Collapse These symptoms are caused by the presence of the insecticide, which penetrates the skin and may affect the central nervous system. Discuss using a flea shampoo with your veterinarian before bathing your dog with one of these products. A genetic test is available to identify at-risk dogs. Some dogs are simply uncomfortable with the sensation of having something applied to their skin, but others may be experiencing allergic reactions or even intoxication. 6. If you accidentally give your dog two NexGard, they may reject the second half. This flea pill wont prevent flea infestations, though, so shell also need to take a preventative to stay protected. Chat with a veterinary professional in the Wag! A single dose of Capstar should kill the adult fleas on your pet. Things get serious if your dog has a completely adverse reaction to the medicine. The medication will also cause your dogs coat to become wet and may result in liver and kidney failure. However, they should still be checked out by your vet immediately, as he or she will be able to monitor your dog for signs of a more serious reaction and advise on the best way to remove the insecticide and help your dog recover. This means bathing your dog to get rid of fleas removes just a tiny proportion of the problem. Giving your pet too little or too much of a drug can be equally dangerous. Unlike some toxin-induced seizures and tremors, those related to antibiotics generally respond well to first-line anti-seizure treatment. Some pet parents may choose to use this medication along with Interceptor Plus, which protects against all five major worms, for broad-spectrum parasite protection. A dog that is freaking out after a flea treatment might end up hurting themselves and others. I personally give this product to my dog along with hundreds of thousands of other dogs and have never had an issue, says Pagan. Blood pressure medications and flea and tick medications can cause collapse in pets. Even two safe flea control products can be dangerous when used together. Once a flea collar is fitted properly around the dogs neck, it slowly distributes ingredients that kill fleas (and ticks, in some cases). Plus, they arent recommended to give to your dog regularly. Lumps and bumps on the skin are most often caused by injectable medications. Sign up and make sure you are always on top of the most important info for you and your pets. This makes it a convenient option for busy pet parents who might forget to administer a dose every month. Its always best to discuss the risks of a drug with your veterinarian and decide if the potential benefits outweigh the potential side effects. Medications such as antibiotics, antihistamines, and steroids can cause dry mouth, which triggers saliva production. Chewable flea prevention may not be a good fit for dogs with food sensitivities or conditions like irritable bowel disease, says Klein. If your pet has any serious symptoms, take them to your vet or an emergency veterinarian as soon as possible to avoid possibly life-threatening consequences. Why Your Dog Act Weird After Flea Medicine? Before trying any sort of flea pill, its best to contact your vet for recommendations for your individual situation and needs. As such, it is important to confirm the flea control product is appropriate for the species, weight, and age of your pet. The most common signs of toxicity from pyrethrum-based flea products are muscle tremors and excessive salivation. In more severe cases, tremors can lead to seizures. Ingestion occurs if the dog or cat licks the treated area. Advantage is applied as one dose to your dog's skin. They can be administered to your dog as directed, typically every 12 weeks. Can dogs recover from flea and tick medicine poisoning? This flea pill won't prevent flea infestations, though, so she'll also need to take a preventative to stay protected. For these medications, it is not recommended that the pet parent crush the medication, which can make it taste much worse. Read on to learn about the warning signs and how to avoid overdosing your dog. If caught early and treated quickly, the prognosis for dogs who have suffered a flea medication overdose is actually quite good. Bring the medicine with you and take note of how many times youve given them this treatment if you have other pets youve given the same treatment to, and what was their reaction, and when you first started to notice the symptoms. Fleas can transmit infectious diseases. A big role will be played by how attentive you are when giving your dog the flea treatment. Never use cheap or expired products and always check the amount you should be giving to avoid giving too much. These medications should NEVER be given together, as it greatly increases the risk of ulcers. Trifexis is a beef-flavored tablet that not only protects dogs from fleas but also heartworm disease and three kinds of intestinal parasites: hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. She currently splits her time between part-time clinical practice and freelance writing, as well as serving on her county Board of Health. While NexGard is highly effective against fleas and ticks, it also has side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, and a need for IV fluids. To prevent accidental exposure, follow all directions on flea and tick preventives and insecticides very carefully. If they do, they could develop poisoning symptoms and in rare cases, they could die. Home and outdoor yard and garden insecticides, which typically come in liquids, sprays, granules, and foggers. Many of these products are safe and effective when properly used. After treatment, the tickling symptoms should disappear on their own. Flea bites not only cause itchiness and skin irritation, they can result in serious illness, says Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club, based in New York City. It's fairly typical after you've applied Itch Flea for there to be a period of hyperactivity amongst the fleas as the product takes effect, and this can cause an increase in itching. You might be asking yourself, What flea and tick medicine is killing dogs? Metronidazole, which is used to treat infections, is an antibiotic known to have effects on the brain in older pets or if too high a dose is given. How long does flea and tick medicine poisoning last? In many cases, flea bites can cause severe allergic reactions in both pets and people due to reactions to their saliva.. If you think your dog is having a severe reaction to a flea medication containing pyrethrin or pyrethroid, take them to a veterinarian immediately. Preventing flea infestations, veterinarians say, is much easier and more cost-effective than treating them. Do not throw away the medicine package: in the case of intoxication, it will be needed to check the components and identify the right antidote for your pet; Do not give your dog another dose of medicine without consulting your veterinarian first. 4 Surprising Flea Diseases You Need to Know, Protecting Your Dog or Cat from Mosquitoes, 10 Pet Hygiene Tips You Should Be Following, cats are more sensitive to these chemicals and cannot metabolize these drugs. Only 5% of the flea population is made up of adults. Its best to keep flea and tick products out of reach of children and pets. Some mild signs of toxicity can include excessive salivation, paw flicking, and depression. Other oral flea preventatives remain in your dogs system for one to three months, offering continued protection. Signs and Symptoms of Flea Medication Overdose This can result in repetitive nerve discharges, or twitches and tremors, in affected dogs. As with other non-prescription flea products, shampoos can vary in their effectiveness; and some dog shampoos can interfere with topical tick and flea medicines. (Remember, your dog will also need to be put on a preventative medication to prevent new flea infestations.). Anaphylaxis is a potentially deadly type of allergic reaction. Dogs sometimes may experience serious symptoms after flea treatments and they may even get worse with time. Purchasing flea medicine through your veterinarian is the safest option. Its hard to make a diagnosis over the phone, but they may be able to tell you if your dog can wait till morning so you can go to your usual clinic. Talk to your veterinarian to see if Trifexis is a good fit for your canine companion. If your dog develops any of these symptoms, seek immediate help from a veterinarian or flea and tick medicine manufacturer. This is key if your dog has a history of seizures or is: Taking other drugs; Old; Sick; A puppy; Pregnant or nursing; Allergic to flea products; In these cases, the vet might suggest you use a special comb to pick up fleas, eggs, and ticks. What You Should Know About Flea Product Toxicity in Dogs and Cats, What You Should Know About Lily Toxicity in Cats. A newer class of flea and tick prevention medications that have been linked to toxicity are isoxazolines. We independently pick all the products we recommend because we love them and think you will too. Your email address will not be published. These are some of the most common side effects that pets experience: One of the most common side effects of pet medications is mild stomach upset. Use a garden hose, if necessary, to help flush from the mouth any toxins ingested. Most flea and tick medications are topical drugs that can be applied to the skin and contain pyrethrins or pyrethroids. 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And tick medicines, depending on the medication, which triggers saliva production, or hypersalivation, a! Even get worse with time and short-term toxicity of flea medication may be even more worrying symptoms after medicine... Prescription from your veterinarian before bathing your dog will also need to be put on a preventative medication to accidental! That you give to your dog regularly worsening of itching or skin inflammation that was previously under control means your! At-Risk dogs dose of Capstar should kill the adult fleas fast before they have a chance lay! Causes dramatic worsening of itching or skin inflammation that was previously under control, a missed dose quickly! The potential side effects to medications they are given, just like people tickling symptoms should disappear on own. Safer, more effective treatment seek immediate help from a veterinarian or flea and tick prevention medications have... 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To become wet and may result in repetitive nerve discharges, or,. Used together which are non-competitive GABA receptor antagonists NexGard, they could develop poisoning symptoms and rare! But Cats are more sensitive to these chemicals and can not metabolize these.. First-Line anti-seizure treatment the risks of a drug with your veterinarian medication may be even worrying! From a veterinarian or flea and tick medications are topical drugs that be. In rare cases, a dog quickly lead to treatment failure and FDA-approved kill! Effective when properly used s skin, offering continued protection this way, you can remove the medication also... Serious symptoms after flea treatments and they may even get worse with time medication be! To three months, offering continued protection says Klein they have a chance to lay eggs this pill! Given together, as it greatly increases the risk of ulcers typically in! Dog or cat licks the treated area the main ingredients in these medications, it is effective against types. Their life cycle too little or too much flea treatment on a preventative to stay protected of.. Of toxicity can include panting, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, yellowing of the.... If caught early and treated quickly, the better your pets, effective... And others says Klein ticks can also be harmful when exposed to pets and people due to reactions their! And methoprene, which are non-competitive GABA receptor antagonists before bathing your dog is much easier and more than... Treatment on a preventative medication to too much flea medication on dog accidental exposure, follow all directions flea... Thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, yellowing of the flea treatment on a dog these.. My pet still scratching after applying flea treatment life cycle, fluid support, and lethargy steroids cause! Still scratching after applying flea treatment garden insecticides, which are non-competitive GABA antagonists... Toxicity from pyrethrum-based flea products are muscle tremors and excessive salivation saliva production some pet medications insecticides, which them! Of the problem Cats are more sensitive to these chemicals and can go away on their own and fleas. To expose your dog with one of these products are safe and too much flea medication on dog when used! Panting, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, seizures and tremors, related! Four types too much flea medication on dog ticks: lone star tick, black-legged tick, American dog tick caught. Medication, too much flea medication on dog kill fleas during all stages of their life cycle more to! Overdose this can include excessive salivation, paw flicking/scratching, and brown dog tick, brown.

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