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WARNING- Hartz Ultra Guard Flea Collars May Be Dangerous!
This post is to warn everyone about Hartz flea collars. I purchased a Hartz Ultra Guard collar for my dog yesterday and she had a bad reaction to it 2 hours ago. At first I thought she had a stroke because of the way she acted. Her symptoms seemed to be that of a stroke. I did Google her symptoms and found a website that said flea collars can cause a reaction like she had. The brand I bought is well known (according to the site) for causing damage and even death to pets. I did as they instructed which was to take the collar off and bathe her. She is quiet at the moment, but still doesn't seem to be with it. She hasn't responded to her name and just stares into space. No reaction to anything. Some of the stories I read at the site said it sometimes takes a day for the dogs/cats to get better. I'm worried though and wonder if I should take her to a vet. It's very early in the morning where I am, but I could take her to an emergency clinic. Has anyone ever experienced this with a flea collar before, and if so, what advise can you give me? I will be up all night, so any replies would be of great help. Thank you.
Are you kidding? I just came from the vet. The Hartz collar left welts on my dogs neck so severe he needs antibiotics, antihistamines and steroids to get better. This all happened within days of the new Hartz collar. I'm disgusted and sad for my dog. I'm glad i caught it when I did- all the scratching made me curious. Poor thing.
2 Comments
It is absolutely disgusting that these flea collars are STILL on sale!!
Please anyone who reads this DON'T go near them with a barge pole!
I hope your dog will recover quickly and well, tinabauble.
Please anyone who reads this DON'T go near them with a barge pole!
I hope your dog will recover quickly and well, tinabauble.
Our rescue dog - Sharpei and Rott mix - had a terrible reaction to the Hartz UltraGuard flea collar. All her fur on her neck fell out and became red raw. Due to all the folds of skin in her neck, it took us awhile to discover it, we were horrified. Two weeks of antibiotics and CeraSmooth Mousse, she is recovering. We're still researching the best approach to flea/tick protection for her.
Thank goodness!!! I am so relieved to hear that she is getting better! Poor girl! Thank goodness too that you were on the ball and caught it and figured out what it was! That could have been disastrous! What a great dog mom! :)
The only natural way I know of to HELP prevent fleas is to put Brewer's Yeast in her food. Other than that, there's really just no substitute for insecticidal flea preparations. The ones you get from your vet are usually quite safe. Don't let the bad experience with Hartz put you off the good ones. FrontLine is safe, as is Advantage. I would stay away from the preparations that are taken internally and the ones that cover a multitude of pests just in case she does tend to be sensitive, you don't want to overload her, but I have even used FrontLine TopSpot on dogs with seizure disorder in the past with NO ill effects whatsoever, and one of them was a six month old puppy. Adams also makes a line of wonderful flea and tick preparations. They have a mist that can be used as frequently as once a week and it is safe for use on puppies and kittens as young as four weeks of age. Of course, before using anything at all I would discuss it with your vet just to get their opinion. They may be able to suggest something completely different.
With regard to natural treatments, however, one that you can use to treat your yard (which is very important, it's a lot easier to keep fleas off the dog if your yard isn't infested) is to plant chrysanthemums all around the yard. There are two species of chrysanthemum in particular, Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and C. coccineum, which produce the pyrethrins necessary for controlling and killing fleas. The best part is these plants are harmless to animals unless ingested in large quantities, so if your dog or a neighbor's cat decides to have a munch, it won't hurt them.
Well, you and your pup go enjoy your night's rest. You both deserve it after the hellish day you've had. Please keep us up to date. :)
Ghilly
The only natural way I know of to HELP prevent fleas is to put Brewer's Yeast in her food. Other than that, there's really just no substitute for insecticidal flea preparations. The ones you get from your vet are usually quite safe. Don't let the bad experience with Hartz put you off the good ones. FrontLine is safe, as is Advantage. I would stay away from the preparations that are taken internally and the ones that cover a multitude of pests just in case she does tend to be sensitive, you don't want to overload her, but I have even used FrontLine TopSpot on dogs with seizure disorder in the past with NO ill effects whatsoever, and one of them was a six month old puppy. Adams also makes a line of wonderful flea and tick preparations. They have a mist that can be used as frequently as once a week and it is safe for use on puppies and kittens as young as four weeks of age. Of course, before using anything at all I would discuss it with your vet just to get their opinion. They may be able to suggest something completely different.
With regard to natural treatments, however, one that you can use to treat your yard (which is very important, it's a lot easier to keep fleas off the dog if your yard isn't infested) is to plant chrysanthemums all around the yard. There are two species of chrysanthemum in particular, Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and C. coccineum, which produce the pyrethrins necessary for controlling and killing fleas. The best part is these plants are harmless to animals unless ingested in large quantities, so if your dog or a neighbor's cat decides to have a munch, it won't hurt them.
Well, you and your pup go enjoy your night's rest. You both deserve it after the hellish day you've had. Please keep us up to date. :)
Ghilly
Another update. My dog ate about a half of a cup of food and drank about the same amount of water. That makes me think she must be on the mend. I'm hoping. I feel I can relax a bit now anyway. Now to get rid of the fleas. Do you know of a natural way to rid her of the fleas? I've read that Dr. Bonner's peppermint soap will do the trick. Maybe I will try that. At least it won't hurt her. I'm off for a good night of rest now. With my dog right beside me. :)
Thank you, for the reply. I did get her checked and as far as we can tell she's alright. I'm scared though as all she wants to do is sleep. She hasn't ate very much and hasn't drank any water. I'm hoping she's just tired from the whole ordeal, but I don't know. I understand that there is a pesticide in the collars that can damage the kidneys. That's what I'm afraid of right now. I'm so mad at myself and the Hartz company. Me for not knowing better and the company for selling an item that isn't safe. Like you said, we assume these products are safe or they wouldn't be on the store shelves. I will keep you updated, Ghilly as things go along. I'm hoping she makes a full recovery. I'll never get over this if she doesn't!
GET YOUR DOG TO AN EMERGENCY VET ASAP!!!!! I CAN'T SAY THAT STRONGLY ENOUGH!!!!!
In recent years, MANY animals have had bad reactions to products made by Hartz, Sargent's and Zodiac. All of these brands are traditionally sold in the pet aisles of grocery stores and are very easy to come by. Because of the availability, many people feel they must be good or safe, and nothing could be further from the truth.
If you do a Google search of Hartz Mountain flea and tick products, adverse reactions, you will come up with THOUSANDS of links to animals that have either gotten sick or died from using these products.
Don't wait for morning! Go right now to your local emergency vet so that they can begin supportive treatment. And PLEASE post back and let us know how your dog is doing!
Ghilly
In recent years, MANY animals have had bad reactions to products made by Hartz, Sargent's and Zodiac. All of these brands are traditionally sold in the pet aisles of grocery stores and are very easy to come by. Because of the availability, many people feel they must be good or safe, and nothing could be further from the truth.
If you do a Google search of Hartz Mountain flea and tick products, adverse reactions, you will come up with THOUSANDS of links to animals that have either gotten sick or died from using these products.
Don't wait for morning! Go right now to your local emergency vet so that they can begin supportive treatment. And PLEASE post back and let us know how your dog is doing!
Ghilly
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