The Side Effects of Frontline Flea & Tick Prevention
Fleas are bad - very bad - and ticks are even worse! Fleas don’t just irritate cats and dogs, driving them barking (or meowing) mad with excessive itching and biting, they also spread diseases which can transmit to people. Ticks, especially the paralysis tick, can be fatal.
Fleas have a four-stage life cycle: adult, egg, larva and pupa. These nasty little parasites bite, feed and breed on your pet. An adult female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Once your pet and home is infested, it is difficult to banish fleas entirely.
Brown ticks and paralysis ticks are dangerous to pets of all ages. Tick saliva has toxins that are passed on when they suck blood from your pet. These toxins irritate your pet’s skin, cause dermatitis and anaemia and can even lead to paralysis or death. Ticks also carry Lyme disease. Therefore, it is essential that you regularly protect your pet from fleas and ticks.
Frontline is a very fast acting and effective prevention for fleas, flea eggs and larvae, biting lice and ticks. On fleas, Frontline acts on three important reproductive stages, therefore successfully destroying their lifecycle. The ingredient fipronil affects adult fleas, lice and ticks, and methoprene affects the flea eggs and larvae. Frontline begins woking immediately to attack the parasite’s central nervous system, paralysing then killing them. Frontline can also be used to treat Flea Alergy Dermatitis.
There are a range of Frontline products suitable for cats and dogs that can be applied either monthly or bi-monthly. The dosage for dogs is dependent on the dog’s weight. The treatment comes in pipettes which is squeezed through your pet’s hair directly onto their skin between the shoulder blades where it can’t be licked. Avoid getting Frontline in your pet’s eyes or allowing them to ingest it. Frontline Plus and >Frontline Combo are different brand names for the same product.
After 24 hours, Frontline is distributed entirely over your pet’s skin and hair via their oil glands. Once spread, Frontline is water resistant though it is advised that you do not shampoo your pet for 48 hours after treatment. For paralysis tick control, you should continue to carefully check your pet for infestation, particularly during tick season. You may need to apply treatment every two weeks during this time. Refer to instructions on the packaging.
Side Effects
Frontline is a tested and safe treatment for cats and dogs. When used as directed, dangerous side effects are rare. It is intended for use on kittens and puppies over 8 weeks of age and can be used on pregnant or lactating animals. You will need to talk to your vet prior to use if your pet is on medication, has a weakened immune system, is sick, aged or if you are already using other pesticide.
There may be temporary redness or skin irritation at the site of application for 1-2 days which will cause your pet to itch or scratch. Some lack of appetite and diarrhoea may also occur. Your pet may drool if they lick the treatment before it has dried. If these symptoms persist or worsen, it could be a sign of an allergy so consult your vet.
Any adverse reactions or side effects using Frontline are usually due to incorrect administration or dosage. However, all pets are individuals and may be hypersensitive or allergic to the ingredients. If you notice any of the following side effects take your pet to the vet immediately:
- Swelling particularly of the face, lips and tongue
- Rash or hives
- Lethargy
- Vomiting or severe/lengthy diarrhoea
- Excessive salivation
- Uncoordinated movements
- Seizure
- Unresponsiveness or coma
Comment(s)100
I just applied my 5 month old kitten with her first frontline. She was more sleep after but what really got me is she had a bout of intense yowling 2 hours after that was way louder than normal. She went to lay on the ground and seemed the neck area where I applied FL may be irritated .
Which is why I'm here fuz I wanted to figure out possible side effects to look out for. Never thought of that with a flea meds since I've never seen different behavior after
Battery eyes, shaking, loss of appetite,letharic, ect.
I need to find a vet willing to accept the diagnosis and somehow treet.
Has anyone been successful with it clearing up?
I’m pleased to say as of 2 days ago I think my dog has turned a corner although it has taken months of hard work to get her there. First of all wash your pet in a degreasing dishwashing liquid, I used fairy. The last few months I have been feeding her a full raw diet and giving her 1 blackmores brand milkthistle tablet. Her diet consists of raw meat, mainly kangaroo but I do switch it up with goat beef and lamb. A little offal. Some sardines. Sweet potato, kale, free range egg and eggshell 2 double strength fish oil capsules and coconut oil. I alternate some of the above. And also some colloidal silver but I think the best thing I have given her is bone broth. Amazing stuff. Last week she still struggled to jump, she could barely make it around the block on her walks and all she did all day was just lay around and not move. She’s still not 100% but 2 days running now she has been on big walks and kept up the pace. I’m over the moon. Also look up the group on Facebook frontline/frontline plus a neuro-toxic poison. There’s a petition on there to get frontline banned. I hope I’ve been some help. If you look up the above group you will see my comments on there. Feel free to message me for any advice I hope your baby recovers
Before bath my dog was dull, not attentive, muscle twitches, whining, didn't drink water not even a single drop, didn't eat for 18 hrs straight...completely dehydrated,.... Thanx for the solution worked like a charm..... This fipronil should be banned never gonna use it again.... I would rather work more to pick out those ticks than this chemical shit
From wat i have observed.. after the application..my 🐕 became dull and lethargic ... he didnt respond to anything...
He stays like that untill i give him a bath next day...
I think the chemical irritates his skin or has some adverse nausea like effect on him ..
But when i bath him the next day... his energy comes back and he acts normal again like everyday.. hes only like that untill i bath him...
I just use my regular oat shampoo on him... nothing special to remove all the chemical...
I prefer to sprays his body with fipronil instead of applying that 3 or 5 ml of liquid behind his head... it highly concentration and he didnt like it...
Spraying all over body with diluted one and bathing him next day has done wonders!..
https://youtu.be/EdayGZc5Qr0
I belive this product is not safe for younger or older animals, despite what it says in the box/instructions. And I repeat what Mel have said in her post: "as soon as you see symptoms wash your pet". It helps.
Isso é normal ?
Carey - 8 years old - mixed breed - 35 lbs
We applied Frontline Gold for the first time ever to our dog on 01/16/20. Within 5 hours she would randomly scream out in pain/because she was scared and jump into our arms. At the time we thought maybe she hurt her leg or back and would touch her spine, rotate her legs, etc. without finding any indication of soreness anywhere on her body. This would happen sporadically on Friday and Saturday. By Saturday evening, it was happening more frequently. And at this point we realized that our dog was having mild seizures. She was not losing consciousness, but she would cry out/get this look about her and then burrow into us and her whole little body would tense up, she would lick her lips (salivating), and stretch out her neck and put her head high into the air. We took her to the emergency vet and they have since started her on seizure medication and a sedative for now because she is absolutely terrified when one starts to come on. Secondly, she is spending the day at her primary vet receiving fluids and staying under observation - and we will do this again tomorrow. Her behavior is different - she is very clingy - and she has tremors constantly. We feel completely helpless.
Carey was in perfect health prior to application of the Frontline Gold and nothing else has changed in her routine other than that. Frontline refuses to accept ANY responsibility. In fact, when we asked how to get their medication out of her, their only response was to bathe her - which we did 3 times. This medication is so poorly researched that they do not even have a way to reverse it if a dog has a reaction - and that is because according to them, "it is impossible for their product to cause these symptoms."
We are really hoping to wean her off of the seizure meds by the end of the month once the Frontline should be worn off. I really hope she will be able to go back to normal once the poison is out of her body. Frontline should be ashamed of both the fact that they poorly researched this medication/did not provide accurate side effects to the customer, and the fact that they so easily just say it is impossible for their product to cause any of this. DO NOT USE THEIR PRODUCTS. It simply isn’t worth it.
Thanks for your quick response
Frontline Gold had no negative effects on my 3-year-old Labrador Retriever.
I unfortunately used front line on my 5 month old kitten 6 days ago. On 4th day I washed her with fairy liquid. She has not improved nor got worse after bath. Her left side legs and eye are very weak. Cannot walk properly or jump. Is this reversible- Im really worried I cant see any improvement as yet. Although the fits have stopped.
This was #2 of a six-pack, so she had gotten the same lot batch the month before. I called the Frontline hotline and was basically told that they knew of no adverse effects except for the foaming at the mouth if they get it on their tongue. Why are all of us having similar issues and yet Frontline doesn't seem to be aware or care??
Does anyone know of any products that are safe and effective?
Thanks!
Now three weeks later if providing essentially “hospice care” our dog is walking and eating better. Spirit is improving and although her walk is like a drunken sailor, she is able to get around some. I’m hopefully when the Frontline is worn off, things will be better.
DO NOT USE FRONTLINE. TOO RISKY!!
Also, maybe don’t euthanize if your dog experiences these issues. Maybe a little time and things could improve. I’ve had to euthanize a couple older pets and it’s not easy to do.
I've used Frontline Plus a few times before, purchased from the same store, applied on my same dog, without any issues and I followed the directions exactly as I always have.
For some reason, this last treatment quickly caused a large sore on the application area. I attempted to remove the Frontline with a gentle bath at that point. Within a few days, my dog began losing balance when walking, drooling out of one side, became nauseous after only taking a few bites of food, appeared to be losing site in one eye, and struggled to even get up on the couch.
The vet mentioned other dogs with severe adverse reactions to Frontline in recent months as well and suggested bathing them with dish-soap to remove the application as soon as possible.
The cats vomited more than usual last week but to be honest, I didn’t think it could be the Frontline. I thought it may have been something they ate. However, I have just noticed that one of our beautiful cats has lost a patch of hair and the skin has blistered exactly where that stuff was.
I feel really bad and wished I had listened to my partner.
I am horrified that vets and vet schools don’t seem to know about this. I feel so bad for those that had their pets put down because of this poison. Believe me, I’ll get the word out!
He has a veterinarian appointment today. I washed the area with Dawn dish soap as was told to do this from the veterinarian. Please keep him in your thoughts. Please beware!
I’m so glad I found this website, I washed him as soon as I found this information out on here in dish soap and already he seems so much better. He is able to jump up again and is much more lively.
Hoping he continues to make a full recovery.
I don’t recall him ever showing adverse side effects.
His breathing is slightly rapid and he just seems generally miserable.
I had used Frontline Kitten on my cat a few times and while he did not like the application part, he seemed to be fine otherwise. I don't think I ever got the full dosage on him though since he is wriggly (probably about half). I waited until he was a year old to give him the adult formula but again - never got the full dosage applied. He didn't show any signs of fleas so I didn't worry too much about that. Yesterday was the first time I'd applied a full dose and I completely regret it. His pupils dilated after and he wouldn't let me pet him at all- just ran and hid. He gets sleepy after vaccines so I wasn't too concerned about it. Left for a few hours and when I went to check on him it was clear he hadn't moved. His eyes were hazy and he wouldn't let me touch him at all (he's normally a total cuddle monster). Called the vet, they said it couldn't possibly be the frontline since its topical and recommended that I continue to monitor him. A few more hours went by - he had barely eaten all day, was still recoiling from my touch and I noticed his third eyelid showing. Found this blog and washed it off. He started purring as soon as I began washing it off- like he knew what the problem was but couldn't tell me. After about 30-40 minutes he let me pet him again and didn't leave my side for the rest of the evening. He seems back to his normal self today and has his appetite back.
I will never use this on him again.
I will mention when I speak with her tomorrow . I think they don’t believe in these reactions as they encourage them , just as small # people with vaccine injury are dismissed because most people do fine .
However, he seemed like he was about 90% better on day 9 (03/29/2022). By day 10 (03/30/2022), I could say he was all good. I gave this timeline so that anyone who has a dog going through issues due to Frontline crap can see that there is hope. Jack came out of the hell he was in and hopefully your dog will too. The vet was of no help and didn't say much even when I mentioned that I found so many people online who are complaining about Frontline plus. I guess there's nothing much vet could do when it's neurological issues.
I won't use this again. No good
I also got the frontline us for my dogs and they all still have fleas. It's horrible. Wth has happened??
I put frontline on my 13 year old mini schnauzer, within 4 hours he had a seizure. He then went on to have two more in the next 24 hours. I’m convinced it was down to this flea and tick treatment. Fingers crossed it’s now two days later and no more seizures, but he still isn’t himself and won’t jump up on to the sofa. I thought this was a weird symptom, but having seen the comments, apparently quite common.
Over grooming, itching, biting and scratching for over a month after the application.