In the future, use GARLIC for flea and tick control

best one to use is the minced kind for each dog - a 1/4 teaspoon is enough in each meal.  

No smells either, no side effects, its actually probably healthy -  I use it on ALL my dogs and never see a tick (we dont have fleas where I live) but I know it works for fleas too.

Oh and its a lot easier on the budget too

People you have to ask yourself when using those skin absorbend products IF you would use it on yourself or your children. If the answer is NO, then simply avoid it for your 4 legged pals too...

 I have never heard of promeris, but have you tried Frontline??

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Called did no good! They said it was a reaction to her injesting the product.  Now I do not know about you but I have never seen a dog lick the back of it's own neck!!!  At anyrate she is fine after being given Yohimbine, oxygen and IV fluids.  Will have to have additional blood work done in the morning to check renal function.  Thought it strange that one of the warnings I saw after the fact was that after administering product the animal is not to sleep with or around owners or children!!

After my last post my vet recommended Promeris for a rescue of mine that has issue with demodex. Although I had read all the warnings and things and it is not labeled for mange as of yet. I voiced my concerns but we decided to give her a dosage anyway under supervision (she had to stay at the vets as we just spayed her) and no better time than the present. She is a Border Collie and handled it without any problems. However, because of theses posts on this board we did muzzle her to make sure she could not ingest it!

My vet did visit with the rep about my concerns and what I had told her, and he did warn her again about ingestion. Do not put it where the dog can lick it. He did also say that it is not uncommon for a dog to be more quiet and sedate after administration. Nothing like mentioned above with the drooling and stuff unless they lick it up accoding to him.

The difference in this dog is already amazing! So far so good. I guess there may always be a chance that they could build up a reaction to it. But at this point we plan on keeping her on it and seeing where it goes.

You are NOT crazy!  I had to make an emergency trip to the vet w/my bichon frise--used promeris twice in the late summer/fall 2007 and did not notice any problems--perhaps i was not paying enough attention--used the third one i had remaining on 4/4/08--noticed very strong odor(stronger than I had remembered from previous applications)--by morning my baby was gagging, dry heaving, and staggering,,would not drink water, could barely walk--would stand and stare as if having a seizure--called the vet and he said bring her in--could be the promeris--he told me that he had seen this before and that they did not even sell it any longer--i could not believe what i was hearing--this was an animal hospital and a vet that i trusted and respected greatly--in a matter of seconds, i lost both! why didn't someone notify the clients that had purchased this if there was even a  remote possibility of adverse reactions?He administered the antidote and gave her subcutaneous fluids--now to add insult to injury, i was charged for the office visit and not even offered a credit for this pack of promeris--he stated that if i had any left, they would refund the $$ but since i had used the other 2 w/out issue, they would not do so--i could not believe what i was hearing--i was so upset i just said "i know, it's ok" and walked out the door--not my usual way of handling things but the emotions of the morning got away with me--had to drive over an hour to get to vet (my choice of vets)--i will not see him again if  at all possible--will continue to go there but request another vet--do not think he handled this appropriately--have had a doc/client relationship w/him for over 20 yrs.--first and foremost, this should have never happened.  i fault the hospital in general for not contacting clients. seond, the vet should have not charged me for the office visit  and issued credit on my bill for the promeris that caused this.i did buy sentinel but am having second thoughts about keeping it--i have lost my faith in this guy, the drugs, the system!

I had this happen with my cat. Talk about thinking she took acid or something. To this day she still has a major twitch in her back leg and she's just not right. For a month she twitched something horrible.

'My poor acid cat'

GARLIC is great i use the capsules and we havent had a flea in 2 years!!!!

This was cross posted from another site with permission.

This is Jo and this is a very important message to my family & friends who have dogs and cats and to alert you to the hazard of using a new flea and tick preventative called Promeris.

This is a new product desgined to be a more effective product than other flea/tick treatments that was just released this year. It is available thru a vet and not currently on-line. I got Promeris this week for my 7 dogs (6 Huskies and 1 Golden/Airedale, and the results were debilitating for nearly all of them including me. Since my incident this week my vet has pulled it from distribution and alerted the manufacturer, Fort Dodge.

Here are my results:  Within less than 2 hours after applying, 4 of my dogs had vomitted from 2-4 times, 3 were disorientated and stumbling, 1 was dragging his back leg, 1 was salivating, I had very similar symptoms like an allergic reaction- my lips were swollen, eyes very red, mucous membranes such as eyes, nose and mouth were stinging. I was very disorientated-dizzy equilibrium and not able to drive. To make this a short story - all 7 of my dogs were admitted to the hospital for veterinarian care and 3 of them remained for care, IV fluids and observation for 24 hours. I was in the emergency room. I'm home now and so are the dogs. We're all feeling much better. Vet bills were over $2,500 and Fort Dodge is paying for these. Not only can the product cause this reaction it has a highly noxious odor that permeated the house and is just starting to disspiate after 3 days.

I'm sorry I'm not a German Shepherd dog owner but I wanted other dog owners to be aware of this product.

Thanks for reading

Sandy

If you want a healthy treatment for demodex -- take 1 cup water, boil, take off and add one sliced lemon.  The next day take the lemons out and apply to any areas that are affected by demodex.  I originally saw a Doberman that this treatment was used on -- the vets had told him that he would either live with it or put the dog down.  The demodex was all over her head and most of her front quarters.  Within four weeks she was completely back to normal.  And if it flares up at anytime he uses this on her and it goes away.  I just think that we are poisoning our dogs way too much.

Be cautious with garlic and other alliums (onions, shallots, etc.):  they can cause anemia.  Cats are particularly sensitive, but dogs can get it too.  If you are feeding garlic to your dogs, I would suggest getting them checked for anemia every now and then.  It's a very easy test and only requires a few drops of blood.  My experience has been that some individuals are more sensitive than others, but it could be that the "sensitive" ones were actually getting a higher dose than the owners said.

My experience has been that garlic does not work for fleas (although vaccuuming the sleeping areas, regular baths and combing does help a lot), but some folks swear by it.  I would definitely suggest Advantage or Frontline for flea-allergic pets.  The only times I have had problems with those were when they were not applied correctly (it can be tricky in fluffy dogs) and one dog who was allergic to the flea product as well as the fleas.

Unfortunately, lemon juice won't work for Demodex either.  However, many dogs *do* "grow out" of their Demodex eventually, and there are several effective treatments that can be used to speed this along and prevent secondary infections..  A dog should not be put down for Demodex unless it has developed uncontrollable secondary infections - I have only heard of this once and it was in a Sharpei.  Of course, dogs with Demodex should not be bred, but I'm sure you all know that.  Lemon juice is at least harmless but I knew one person that tried to treat the Demodex with turpentine (turpentine?!?!), so please use common sense when trying "folk remedies."

Also be careful with the cheap "spot on" products that use organophosphate and pyrethrin insecticides. These are basically concentrated forms of the old flea sprays and flea dips, and can be somewhat toxic to dogs... and some are deadly for cats!

It's not unusual for a new product to be introduced and then pulled when reports of problems start coming in.  Sometimes these things don't show up in laboratory testing, and it's not always the company's fault (sometimes it is - sometimes it isn't.).  The best thing is to try not to be the first one to try a new medication, if the old ones are working OK for you.

I find it absolutely mind boggling that you would be so ignorant as to spend your time complaining on a public blog about a product that you profoundly misused, or misunderstood.  Anytime you use a topically applied insecticide, caution should be used.  You don't spray raid on your kitchen counter and then lick it do you?  And garlic, garlic is great, and was also mis used in the late 1800's as a poison, dipped arrows and painted swords used to enter the bloodstream, and aid in death.  Anything, any chemical product, or even natural product for example, if not used with its intended purpose, strictly adhering to the instructions, and understanding the full nature of the product can be dangerous.  These symptoms, these irritating aggrivating symptoms, are temporary, and only happen if the product, specifically the chemical amitraz, is ingested.  This isn't some sort of pharmaceutical company consperacy to hurt you or your pets.  You are applying an INSECTICIDE to your animal.  Just like vaccinations and other drugs, hence all the human drug commercials, There can always be side effects, there can always be reaction.  What I don't appreciate is how people can publically run a name, a product, a company, a business, or even a person for that matter, into the ground - over the internet, on a "blog" or "message board", all because they don't understand why.  Why did this happen?  What caused this?  Don't jump to conclusions about how this evil product poisoned your dog and your super vet didn't get it either.  Veterinarians are not Superpowerful, all knowing individuals.  They may not fully understand the complications or adverse effects of a brand new product or drug either.  So, I guess my point is, don't jump to conclusions and burn the witches at the stake.  Do some research.  And if your vet you have used for twenty years, graduated from vet school thirty years ago, then he/she may not be completely up to speed on what the appropriate - safe uses are for these products.  Furthermore, this product is actually governed by the EPA.  It can't hurt people, water, or our environment in a devastating way.  And if you have questions, I would suggest contacting the manufacturer directly, before making all these vague and inaccurate judgements.  I'm soooo sick of people jumping to conclusions without all the facts, and litigation crazy.  Find out the truth before you start ranting on and on - on a public form of media.  And folks....this be true as well....don't believe all the hype you read on the internet - go to the source.

A knowledgable individual, who's been in the veterinary industry for over 12 years.  Currently have three dogs- and would never ever do anything to harm them.

In school we learned a lot about the government agencies and I know for a fact that the inert ingredients, while proprietary, have to be safe for the environment hence why they are regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Basically if the residuals of the product were to be disposed of incorrectly, lets stay tossed into a stream, the company has to prove that it will not affect the environment. I suggest you do your research before bashing products you nothing about. 

Expediency is the magic word. Manufacturers can pick and choose, "mix and match" what ever they want at free will, all based on market conditions and or availability. Hutton said himself after the "inert"(s) were questioned by numerous offsite toxicologists, they can use whatever they "think is safe". I personally find it hard to understand why manufacturers think rival manufacturers cannot identify the "inerts" while useing upgraded laboratory equipment especially with nosey University Students. Why not just list the "inert"(s) on the label for all to see ?

Also, EPA get's limited information about "inert"(s) from the manufactures at free will, and I might add there is NO requirement for them to do so. Even if a mandate through the OSH Act is approved for that Manufacturer to list the MSDS, it is always a partial list or converted to "mixtures". The sad incident with Trimper proved this.

In late 2001 NCAP and a hundred or so Universities (Pennsylvania included) petitioned EPA to list all "inert"(s) on the labels for public view. They have yet to make a simple decision. Facts are facts my friend, it's up to the individual user of the product to determine what is safe and what is not.

Besides EPA tests for short-term effects and lethal doses on what the manufacturers openly submit, all others including "inert"(s) are concidered "minimal" or chemical name not available.

If ya wanna call this a bash feel free ...

This is a reply to doglover2, I normally have better things to do than blog, but I will spend my time  tonight  to reply to you. If this  post saves 1 pet and its owner the experience I had then I consider it time well spent.I am not bashing my vet he is wonderful. But within 2 hours of applying Promeris to the back of my dogs neck she became disoriented and  began stumbling.  She had NOT licked the back of her neck. I bathed her immedialty upon presentation of symptons. Over the next few hours she began seizing  which she does not have a history of. She had to be taken to the vet (who came in on a Sunday afternoon to meet me) me and was immediatly rebathed and  monitored closely and given IV fluids for  approximately 36 hours. My wonderful vet actually took her home with him and cont the IVF and monitoring. He did not charge me for all of his time and efforts.He did call the company and they said it sounded like an overdose, which  by the way was correct for her weight by their charts.

I am NOT bashing my vet. The product obviously has problems and if people do not report it it will not be corrected and pets will continue to have adverse reactions and possibly death. It is terrible to watch this happen to any animal. I would make one last comment but you may consider it a bash, I hope the  stock has gone done in this company due to the posts about their product because hopefully it means less pets are at risk. (Sorry for yor loss)

DOGLOVER2--Ignorant, I'm not!  i questioned my vet at length prior to purchasing--the vet even applied the first dose( and only other one my dog had -i mistakenly rept. that she had two prior to the incident)in the office right in front of me--i followed his instructions--my dog could not lick the spot it was applied--she suffered a serious reaction folowed by weeks of diarhea  and apparently permanent kidney damage--the vet i have used for 20 plus years and the vet that treated my dog for the poisoning stated to me that he had seen this before and that they (the vet office) were not selling it any longer---so why should i be upset?  If this had been a medical doctor,  he/she would have been held to the flame professionally and legally.  If this vet office had made one small decision to notify their clients that purchased this, all of this could have been prevented.  I think it is their obligation to do so.  They have a sophisticated computer system and i am certain they could have easily determined which clients purchased this and easily sent a mass mailing--it has only been on the mkt for a short time which also makes this task easier.  It is the responsibility of the vet profession to make these sound judgements.  we as pet owners depend on that.  as for my vet being foggy and uneducated because of years out of school, that is an ignorant statement coming from you.  think about it.  i am suspicious of your motives for such an inflammatory post..the reason for blogging about this: awareness, plain and simply.  and if i want to complain about the way the vet handled the situation, i have the freedom to do so.  message boards are for sharing experiences and unfortunately, my experience involved specifics that call to question this professional's attitude and judgement.

Until a vet sees that a product is producing reactions in more than 1 or 2 patients per practice (sometimes more), it is generally considered an isolated situation which unfortunately is not a reason to pull a product.  The more that people talk about Promeris, the more awareness there will be out there. I hope Fort Dodge can redeem themselves after this, but I do not blame the veterinarians one bit.  We have to trust the manufacturers of our products and if we can't, there is a big problem with our society.

Hello. I am not a German Shepard owner but I am trying to go on as many sites as I can to warn about the risks of ProMeris. I have an 11 yr old Siberian Husky. We recently switched to ProMeris on the advice of our vet. Two night ago, when pulling what I thought was a normal plug of shedding husky hair, I noticed that there were large clumps of dead skin on the end of these hair strands. On the way to the vet, I was talking with a good friend and telling her of what was going on with me baby and she confirmed that she is going through the same thing with her Shepard and had also switched to the ProMeris recently. Now my beautiful boy has a large bald spot between his shoulder blades where the medication was applied and is on medication to treat his skin for 21 days. Please be very careful with this medication. I have read many things since finding the spot on my dog that scares me to death. The smell is AWFUL and so much worse than any of the other topical flea/tick meds. I hope that all find this helpful and heed the warning

Good Thread. It looks to be of importance outside the DB 

I found an interesting article about Amitraz overdose in children, one of the active ingredients in promeris.

<a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/449342">article</a>.

Add me to the list of people who assumed something being sold at the vet's office was safe.  I didn't take the time to research ProMeris and am very sorry.  Unfortunately, my dog was the one to really suffer.  I have made a webpage of what happened in an effort to warn others.  Am also switching to more natural flea control methods.  (Links included).  http://hometown.aol.com/janey1098/ProMeris.html

Janey Darnell, Forsyth, MO

I absolutely love Promeris!  I have 2 gsd, 3 great pyrenees, a collie (who has demodex) and a pomeranian along with various foster dogs. I also have 16 cats (including foster cats) which I have used it for.  I have no luck with Frontline Plus for fleas and it doesn't kill ticks until they bite. Promeris paralyzes their mouths so that they can't bite. I have had no adverse reactions.  When Frontline Plus came out, there were problems with it too. 

What "medication" doesn't have some sort of a side effect in at least some people.  Animals are like people.  Some are more sensitive than others.  When a person begins with a new medication the side effects are more apparent and then gradually go away. 

Promeris also works miracles for demodectic mange!  My collie (collies can't be treated the old fashioned way with ivermectin because they are sensitive to it) had to go through dips of amitraz (which is in Promeris) weekly and then biweekly.  She was beginning to have it come back and Promeris has kept her cleared up.  I also have used it on 3 foster dogs for demodex and it has cleared them up. 

If anyone gives heartworm prevention to their dogs, do you know what Ivermectin is?!  If Promeris is poisonous, then Heartguard should be considered so too... As should wormers.  But who wouldn't deworm their animals? 

A little mutt (probably part Shiba Inu) took up with my dad 6-7 years ago. This dog was feral, so Dad hired a professional trainer to help him socialize the dog and teach her basic obedience. The trainer fell head over heels in love with the dog, and when Dad died, the trainer took the dog.

Yesterday the trainer called, devastated, to let me know that the dog had died. At her vet's recommendation, she had switched from Frontline to ProMeris. She applied ProMeris for the first time on Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday morning, while she and the dog were taking their first walk of the day, the dog suddenly collapsed, seizing violently. She convulsed hugely for about a minute -- seizures so strong that her body actually came off the pavement. Then she died.

The trainer has worked with dogs, breeding and training, for more than 30 years. She absolutely knows how to apply flea medication properly. She presently has no other dogs in her home, so the dog didn't lick ProMeris off another dog. There is little chance that the dog ingested the drug. The proper dose was used, it was applied properly, and less than 24 hours later an otherwise healthy dog was dead.

It's possible ProMeris was not at fault, that this is just coincidence, but given that this dog had no history of seizures yet died from a seizure soon after receiving a drug known to cause seizures, it's suspicious. The dog's body has been sent to a medical school for necropsy.

www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/214687.html#214746

I don't care what breed it is my vet still won't recommend it and won't carry it and won't even give a prescription for it.  There have been too many issues with toxicity that don't involve ingestion and they include lethargy and death.  What they didn't include to his satisfaction was an acceptable reason such as an issue with the dogs health. 

IT IS NOT YOUR IMAGINATION - ProMeris does cause adverse reactions in dogs.

My fiance lost her sheltie to Ivermectin last year -- prescribed as a prophlactic (!) against mites she didn't have (one of my dogs had them).

I can read research (I have a doctorate) so I combed the pharma Ivermectin trials and was shocked.  A drug they reported to vets as safe had caused a very high % of adverse reactions in many dogs on which it had been tested.  In many trials, dogs with initially negative reactions to low doses were pulled from the trials and therefore never exposed to the regular dosage levels - and never reported.  My vet had no clue of any of this, and of course my fiance (an historian, not statistically skilled) was trusting and later devastated.  These trial notes are available if you know how to research and interpret them, but I suspect this is much more common that we generally realize.

Be skeptical!

She did forgive me and my mitey dog, for which I am very thankful.

Posted my response to your same post here

www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/218202.html

Nice try though.

 I have a 7 year old female and had a similar reaction. I did not make the connection until the second application.  Very larthargic, drinking excessive amounts of water. Her symptoms lasted almost a week. Thanks, Tim

Tv24 - I made the connection after the 2nd application as well.  Way too coincidental for me.  It's been a year now since I switched back to Frontline Plus and what do you know....my female hasn't exhibited ANY of the signs that I initially posted. 

Personally, I wouldn't use this product again if it were given to me for free.  I'd throw it away.  In fact - that's exactly what I did with my 3rd unopened application that I had.