Author: Pissed off

In: Ummm...

2009-02-02 10:22:45

We had a TERRIBLE experience last night.  We were preparing to head over to a friend's house for a Superbowl party.  They told us to bring the dog (Molly) and she could play with their three dogs.  In preparation we gave Miss Molly a bath and dried her off, then I made a terrible, horrible, devastating error.  Earlier in the week I had purchased SentryPro flea drops (from where is irrelevant).  After a few hours I read the instructions and applied the flea drops to her neck and back, exactly as the instructions informed.  She was he fine cheerful, energetic self all afternoon.  Running down the halls and jumping on my (trying to sleep) wife.  After a few minutes, we decided to put her in the crate for a bit while we took a nap.  Around 3:30 in the afternoon, I got up to start making chili cheese dip for the party.  The house was quiet, everyone was asleep.  I decided it was past due to take Miss Molly out to potty. I opened the crate and she shot across the room (in what I mistook as excitement).  I noticed right away that she was acting really strange, squirming on the floor, walking sideways, jerking, and drooling EVERYWHERE.  Suddenly I thought about the flea medicine I had administered earlier and rushed here to the sink.  The wife and I applied some regular dish detergent and bathed here down hoping her symptoms would subside.  Still no luck. 

Within 20 minutes we had Molly down to the emergency vet and upon explaining the situation they immediately took her to the back.  Impatiently we waited for about two and a half hours until the doctor brought us back into one of the patient rooms and explained the situation.  Those over the counter flea "remedies" have a more than 80% chance of allergic reaction.  If left untreated the jerking and drooling suddenly turns into seizures.  Luckily we had washed her down and got her to the vet in time.  They held her for a bit for closer examination, gave her some muscle relaxers and anti-drooling medication, and the wife and I a nice bill (we would have given up the house for Molly).

It has not been a full 24 hours yet, she's sleeping A LOT, still jerking her back legs a little, but overall seems to be feeling much better.  I know it may sound foolish, but please keep little Molly in you're prayers. 

Moral: PLEASE be careful with over the counter pet medications.  Flea, tick, anything... please be careful.  There are tons of stories about over the counter flea medications causing allergic reactions.  I pray that no one has to go through watching your beloved pet suffer, but if something like this does happen (as it can with even the best high end, vet only, medications) here is a run down of what to do. 

Wash your pet IMMEDIATELY with Dawn or Palmolive dish soap. The "de-greasing" agent in these soaps helps to wash away to the medication.

If there is drooling you can use a can of tuna, or salmon, or other type of fish.  They drool to get the bad taste out of their mouth, the canned fish helps. 

Immediately get them to an emergency vet.  Seizures can be fatal to your pet. 

The wife and I both feel terrible for putting Molly through this, but we know better now.  Regardless of cost or convenience, getting this type of medication from the family vet is always safer.  I'll step off the soap box for now.

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