I've received a message today from one of the rescue's volunteers who's also a member of American Working Shetland Sheepdogs...

Warning:  Promeris Flea and Tick preventive (topical) has had an adverse reaction in at least three Shelties. 

The short story is that during the Memorial Day weekend, a family with three Shelties were going on vacation to the same place they've always gone, in the same manner and same transport as they always do.  This year, they'd run out of FrontlinePlus and decided to use a new brand of flea-and-tick topical preventive being offered by their vet; Promeris.

Within two hours, all three dogs exhibited signs of adverse reactions/toxiciy/poisoning - everything else was ruled out by the family (no food issues, no allergic reactions to anything else, and they'd not reached their camping site yet). 

The dogs have recovered.

There is discussion about the preventive being countered to the MDR-1 gene found in many of the herding breeds (and she did google); my own observation is that there is more likely a toxic reaction to the drug that is not related to MDR-1.

There are other cases being reported; Promeris only acknowledges a single case (of six dogs in the same pack, Huskies), but the internet conversation boards also suggests this has impacted Goldies and GSDs, among others.

Please exercise caution when using Promeris.  I personally will not use this preventive, in part because Promeris has refused to acknowledge other cases and are not examining their product for adverse reactions in a newer test case (corporate irresponsibility).

If you use Promeris, and have either a good case or a bad case to discuss, please let me know.  If you have a bad case to discuss, also pursue it with your vet for treatment and Promeris for case-reporting.  Promeris will not act on third-party reports of issues.

Promeris is only available through veterinary practices and is not sold over-the-counter or via internet suppliers.

dwain

Well I just recently asked my vet a question like that.  I asked him which flea & tick medicine he recommends.  He was SO ADAMANT about using Frontline Plus.  When my dogs have flea problems, I'll use Frontline Plus.

Hopefully, this time, this'll go through (having repeated issues with the "you must have mistyped" error message)...

My personal choice is Frontline Plus (and its not a vet discount thing for rescue either)...I've found it to be the most effective against fleas and ticks when compared to other topicals.  I've not had success with the herbal or holistic remedies and with a variety of long-haired dogs, ticks can hide REALLY well. 

All topicals are mild pesticides - even the cheesy brands like Topspot.  I've found the cheesy brands aren't worth spit (were not effective against fleas or ticks).  There's always a risk of chemical burn or toxicity responses when you use those applications (and you MUST follow the instructions - don't apply Frontline after washing the dogs, use the correct dosage for your sized pet and apply it properly - for most dogs, that's at the base of shoulder and neck - some other applications have you running a line down the dog's spine).

To me, the biggest issue with Promeris, is that its new (where Frontline and other topicals have been around for years and most vets are aware of toxicity issues), and in the eagerness to sell new products, folks may overlook the cautions that must be taken.  Promeris' "fault-free" stand is also very disheartening - but they won't do anything unless enough people scream about it (think "Menu-Foods").

Anyway, the choices are yours...just be prepared.  I'm continuing with Frontline Plus, myself.

dwain

Dwain,

Are you familiar with Advantix K9? I've used this for Pogo since 2005. Being in MD, it needs to be applied year round (as well as Frontline Plus). Pogo has never had a flea or tick plus it repels mosquitos very effectively. It is administered monthly (by size) and runs down the length of the spine. It is also waterproof (bathing/swimming). I highly recommend it especially with Lyme Disease and Black Nile diseases affecting dogs in our area.

I have used Frontline for several years, but, I don't use it every month.  I personally don't think it's not a good idea to use it 12 months, unless you are in an area where these alot of ticks and fleas.  My dogs have never gotten a tick from out backyard.  Fleas are another story, rabbits, squirrels, mice, raccoons, etc. carry many parasites, and that's how most dogs get them.  However, recently, I've been walking them and I found a tick crawling on Sarah.  I quickly administered the Frontline.  I found dead ticks, this is disgusting, but on our bedspread!  Frontline does work but it takes 48 hours to work.    

I've heard of K9 advantix...its cleared on the MDR1 list and I've not heard of any issues with it.  So is Revolution (revolution also provides a heartworm preventive).  I'm just partial to FLP at this point -  perhaps its worth looking into (I do cost/dose sharing - cost savings on the larger doses of FLP and then sharing over the smaller dogs - saves quite a bit of money each year when you've got six dogs). 

I do not like ticks at all (or fleas or mosquitoes)...I get completely creeped out when I find a tick carcass.

dwain

I too, have been getting lots of negative feedback on ProMeris.