Frontline Mix-up

[LindaTX]

This week I inadvertenrtly gave 2 of my cats Frontline Plus that was for the dogs (45-80 lbs)  The vials were mixed up.  I caught the error when I was dosing TJ so I immediately washed off as much of it as I could.  The problem is either Aramis or Mommycat got the other dose and I don't know which one it was.  I called the Vet's office and they told me to keep an eye on them and if they started throwing up, then bring them in.

Has anyone ever dealt with this?  I feel like I poisoned my cats.  I worry that there might be problems that show up later, like with their liver or kidneys.  I just feel awful about the whole thing.  

[zodiacqueen]

Thanks Linda.  My feelings were hurt that you thought that I was being insensitive(I think that's what you thought).  I just want you to know that I care very much about the regulars AND their fur kids on this forum.  And, all I want is for all of us to have happy, healthy kitties and have a good relationship so that we can help each other and others that visit our forum.

[LindaTX]

Thanks everybody, the kitties all seem fine.  Sorry ZQ, I know I was out of line regarding your comment. I'm sorry!  We got 2 doses of Frontline for the puppies when they were neutered.  Then I bought a box of 3 doses (dogs) and a box of 3 doses for the 3 cats. $38 bucks each at Sam's.  My daughter was here and gave the puppies their "free" doses and the gave Barney a dose from the new box, leaving 2 doses.  I gave a dose (cats) to one of the cats and waited till later to dose the other two cats.  In the meantime, either my husband or me or my daughter put the wrong vials back in the wrong boxes.  There were 2 doses left in each box.  I really think it was my husband who did it.

[margypops]

I didnt see your post till now Linda and a similar thing happened to me I only gave tweety the one vial, and she was so sick I took her to the vet and he said she must have been allergic to the frontline , I think I put a post up here about it , a few weeks back She started twitching a lot I thouht she was having seizures, the vet gave her a cortisteroid shot and after 2days she was okay .Dont feel bad we all make mistakes .Glad to hear the cats  are okay now I am afraid to put anything on Tweety .

[zodiacqueen]

Wow!  Sorry, didn't mean for my post to be offensive.

Why do I bother replying????

[DJADe123]

If I understand correctly Frontline is the same product, only the quantity changes.  Advantage works for cats and dogs but Advantix is the one to watch out for as it is toxic to cats.

None of it is "wonderful" but better than the misery and potential disease of fleas.  I had a cat once who miscarried when we dosed her with Frontline, though the vet said it wouldn’t hurt her.

I also get larger vials and measure them for the cats.  At one point we had 4 cats a dog and 2 ferrets.  Treat all 7 animals 3 times for $49 or spend $343 to do the same thing.  Our old vet understood financial common sense and gave us the exact measurement for cats using an insulin size syringe.  He has since retired, but when the rubber in the syringe wore out we took it to the pharmacy and the pharmacist was able to sell us a couple of the same size & type to use.  The smaller the animal, the trickier the dosage, but most people are NOT too stupid to read a syringe and to pay such a high price for someone else to measure .5cc seems insane if you are on a budget like most people are

[AppleBr]

At least here in Brazil Frontline Plus Dog is fipronil 10 g plus s-methoprene 9g
And Frontline Plus cats is fipronil 10g plus S-methoprene 12g.
No Permethrin.The diference between the plus and the simple one is the "methoprene' - and its present in both

here is a link I just found
http://www.ehow.com/info_8319046_differences-frontline-plus-cats-dogs.html

But its all fine if ends fine :-)
You must mail the sugestion about the  vial colors to Merrial

[Jade59]

Morning Linda...I'm happy to hear all is well with your kitties.  So many families have a variety of animals (my niece has 2 cats, a dog, and a ferret!) and it could be easy to grab the wrong vial when dosing everyone, so identifying them with colors or just in a more obvious way is a GREAT idea!  

[LindaTX]

Gee, thanks....ZQ...I wasn't exaxtly going to spend time flogging myself and no, you're right !  "I didn't do this 'on purpose'!" I am however very convcerned for my cats.  

The website made me feel a little better, Opus,  plus I was able to talk to my daughter at length ( the one that's moving to a land far, far away).  The cats seem fine after I washed off as much as I could).

Apple I know there is something in the Dog's dose that cat's can't metabolize.  I think it's called Permethrin.  Anyway, I think the worst is over.  I think they need to color those vials a "dog" color and a "cat" color, maybe black and white.

[AppleBr]

Don't blame yourself and don't worry too much.
If nothing happened til now them probably nothing will happen in the future - the only difference between Frontline for cats and for dogs is the amount of product in the vial
I already bought and used the one for Dogs slipped for 3 cats - but measuring the right dose - or almost, this is a hell to be done so they sell the thing in proper sizes.Lab and vets don't recomend this but if you take care enough and have no money for individual cat ones it can be done eventually .
Probably the dose you gave him was still in the security border.
I don't think this product can have residual effects but if your vet say so, please tell us!

[LindaTX]

Thanks everyone, I will read that website, Opus.  They all seem to be doing fine. The Vet's office did say the first 24 hrs was the most dangerous and we had no issues.  I need to call and ask about later effects, like on the liver and kidneys.

[zodiacqueen]

Don't beat yourself up over this!  It's not like you did this on purpose.

Depending on how long ago you gave the cat the wrong dose, I would immediately give the cat/cats a bath to get off as much as possible.  If you're not sure which cat to bathe, then wash as many cats as you need to.  Hopefully your cats don't act like they're possessed when you bathe them!  =)

[Jade59]

What day did this happen?  If it's been a few days with no repercussions, I don't think there will be, but I've never dealt with this myself, so can't say for sure.  I believe there was at least one other poster who made this mistake and the cat reacted almost immediately, so if it's been more than a few days with no one vomiting, you are probably safe.  What did the vet say about it effecting the liver or kidneys?  You could always take both (I know, easy for me to say) in for a blood test to make sure.  

Aramis is looking great, btw, and love the warning on the pillow!!  Isn't that for sure! haha

So sorry, Linda.  Try not to blame yourself - it was an innocent mistake.  As if you don't have enough stress already with the pups...  

♥