Hartz Kittie
So we had another Hartz kittie in the clinic this week. This is my third experience with cat reactions to Hartz flea produces, however I have had many people call me with this problem. These cases make everyone in the vet industry mad. Most of the time is is the owner's not putting the right product on their animal, but last year we had a cat come into the clinic that had been treated with the cat Hartz flea treatment and despite our best effort, he died. For those of you who are not aware Hartz flea products and Zodiac flea products are extremely dangerous products to use on cats. These products as well as some others I am not familiar with contain the insecticide permethrin/pyrethrins, which attacts the central nervous system, it paralyzes the flea. However in cats we usually see restlessness, nervousness, muscle tremors, seizures which ultimately lead to unconsciousness and death. The minimum lethal dose for cats in not known and therefor the product should never be used on cats. We see more cats with this problem that we do dogs, but it is probably because of cats grooming habits. When given orally to rats in scientific studies the same clinical signs were observed. So it is safe to say, this in not a product that should be sold on the shelf of your local grocery store. I knew none of this before I went to school. This how dangerous this could be in a house with both cats and dogs. Many people would buy one produce for their dog and use it on both pets trying to save money. I'm pretty sure it says nowhere on the package that this product is harmful or fatal to cats. I'm pretty sure it just says on the dog product "do not use on cats". Not a very effective warning. 
This is a result of a Hartz CAT flea collar!
Anyway just thought I would do my part to inform people of this little problem, despite many efforts from many different people, these products are still on the market, sold to uninformed customers, buy uninfromed sales staff. If you do use these products PLEASE be very careful. I understand the stuff at the vet clinic is more expensive, but just this of what your vet bill will be to save your special little guys life!
This is a result of a Hartz CAT flea collar!
Anyway just thought I would do my part to inform people of this little problem, despite many efforts from many different people, these products are still on the market, sold to uninformed customers, buy uninfromed sales staff. If you do use these products PLEASE be very careful. I understand the stuff at the vet clinic is more expensive, but just this of what your vet bill will be to save your special little guys life!