Dog Poisoned By Sergeant's Skip-Flea & Tick Shampoo

[AprellP]

Has anyone else had a dog that was poisoned by this product? My 2 year old Min-Pin/Jack Russell mix was bathed in this shampoo and the next day it had burned a large spot on her back. I took her to the vet that day, but I didn't have the money for them to see her til I got paid the next day so I had to wait and bring her back because they had to have cash up front. They shaved the area, cleaned it, applied a cream, gave her a shot of Convenia, & sent home Advita Canine Powder to be mixed in her food for 5 days.

If this or something similiar has happened to your dog, how long did it take them to get better or did they end up passing away?

[Jerry_NJ]

Given the allergic reaction to soap, I'd be careful with her diet.  If you make a change in the basic meal try just one thing, i.e., chicken or beef, better fish, and see if there is any problem, if there is you know what not to feed her.

Our Westie, a member of the family, is allergic to many things, but not his shampoo.  He has reacted badly though to shampoo used by a groomer.  One said they use oatmeal shampoo, and boy did he itch when he came home..but not for long, a few hours and he was over it.  

[Misfits4Me]

Serve WET/CANNED food only...It will flush her system quicker.....Karla

[AprellP]

Thank you all for your responses. Yes, she was bathed to remove any excess that might have been on her. The vet, which I'm assuming is doing quite well financially since they just built a new extremely large facility that can house not only dogs and cats, but also horses and cattle, was very adamant in having payment 1st even tho they saw the shape my dogs back was in, which in the course of overnight from my 1st trip to them, it got worse, something that could have been prevented if they'd of helped me out for 24 hours til I got paid. I even offered to leave my driver's license with them to show I'd be back to pay. She seems to be improving gradually, I'm pushing fluids on her as much as possible to help flush her system and it seems to be working. I'll update as we go along. I've prayed for her as much as I do my children, she's like one of them :)

[Jerry_NJ]

For starters I'm disappointed in your vet, payment first.  Unless the vet has a lot of bad debt he/she should consider the need for expedited treatment over payment.  Yes, the vet has every right to expect payment, but delay didn't do you dog any good, and it could have caused a lot of harm.

From the above you may not be surprised to see me write: "I do not depend on my vet for any advice beyond what comes from an examination"  for shampoo, I'd check on the web, here may be a good start.  In my case with a Westie, a bread known for allergies to about everything, I consult a breeder or the Westie club on the best shampoo, and the best food.  I have advice on both from my vet and I have taken a different approach. An approach with lower cost for one thing.  Yes, I have discussed the changes when our dog had its annual check up last month.  The vet didn't argue with the changes I made from the advice given.

If you have any need for ongoing prescription medication check on the web for a lower price than you vet charges, you will most likely find one.  I always use prescriptions from the vet that are for short term use.  For heart worm and the the Frontline Plus I buy from a web based pet pharmacy.

I think any shampoo that is soap, not perfume, should work, many tout the benefits of an oatmeal shampoo, we do not use it on our dog.  

Experience seems to suggest buy a small amount of shampoo, use it diluted and expose your dog only long enough to get some lather then rinse carefully and thoroughly.  Then watch/check the dog for a few days, if there are no negative reactions you should be able to allow longer exposure to the soap when giving the dog a bath.

I grew up with mongrels, including one Coon Hound I owned as an adult.  These dogs were "bullet proof" it didn't mater what they ate, what they were bathed in, even if rarely, and seldom saw a vet.  The Coon Hound lived happy lives for 15 years.  

[BluCrystal]

Gracious!  I worked for a vet 8 years.  I have seen animals have allergic reactions (I use that term because for the most part a 'poisoning' would be something ingested, and that is much more dangerous for the pet).  I have seen reactions to all sorts of things, from a simple food allergy, to a life-threatening reaction to medication.  And, yes, I have seen animals react badly to topical treatments (soaps, shampoos, parasite prevention, etc.).  It sounds like you caught it before it got too bad.  Your dog should begin to get on the mend now.  I seriously doubt that death would occur for your dog here, since you have been to the vet, and had treatment done.  All dogs take a different amount of time to completely heal from this, since all allergic reactions are specific to the particular dog and the type of reaction.  I would give a rough 'guesstimate' at a couple of weeks before you see fur growing back in any significant amounts.  However, it IS possible that the hair follicles in that area have been damaged, and the hair will not come back fully.  In the future, when you want to use ANYTHING on your dog's skin, check with your vet first, that way you can avoid another reaction.  I do know that I have never seen negative reactions from the use of Dawn Dishsoap, or from gentle, oatmeal shampoo.  But be safe and ask anyway.  Blessings - Blu

[Misfits4Me]

Welcome...You did bathe your dog immediately with just soap after it happened? If you did not, you must do it now! You must get all product of off the dog! Yes, ALL Hartz Products are known to poison pets!!!  This has been going on for years....There are thousands of consumer complaints....Many deaths have been reported......

Here is a link (Out of Hundreds) Warning pet owners NOT to use these products!

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/hartz.html

You can read what others have to say......Karla