Question:
About five years ago, my family adopted a Sheltie-mix dog when he was 1 year old. After his second year, he started having idiopathic seizures often and many in one day. Since then, he has been on a continually increasing medication regime of phenobarbital and potassium bromide. About two years ago, someone mentioned that they had heard that Revolution could cause seizures. I discussed this with my vet, who assured me it was not true. I told her that I wanted to take my dog off Revolution, just in case, and we started him on Sentinel. In a few days, it will be two months since he has had a seizure (he usually had at least one a month). If he remains seizure-free, should I look for another vet to decrease his meds and hopefully discontinue altogether?
S.S., Arlington, TX Aug 02, 2009
Answer:
Your letter calls for another reader survey. Owners of dogs and cats whose companion animals have had problems with topical and oral anti-flea drugs should write to me c/o United Media Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016. Veterinarians should report adverse reactions to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). From my experience with earlier cases of adverse reactions to these products, I urge extreme caution since some animals have had adverse, even fatal, reactions. They should only be used as a last resort when alternative, integrative flea-control measures break down. In warmer states, where there is no winter flea kill, integrative flea-control programs can work well, but take time and effort. Products like Sentinel and Revolution can be a quick fix, especially during peak flea season, but these drugs do not stop pets from developing "hot spots" -- allergic reactions from fleabites. Dogs do develop neurological and other health problems from some of these products -- 44,000 adverse reactions to topical anti-flea and tick chemicals in pets in 2008 being reported to the Environmental Protection Agency. Go back to the same vet, and set up a protocol to monitor and wean your dog off the anti-seizure meds, making sure that his diet is free of potential epileptogenic wheat, soy and other high-gluten ingredients and azo food dyes. Supplements such as Lecithin and N-acetylcysteine may also prove beneficial.
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