It's kind of similar to how there were only 10 or so dogs and cats that died from the pet food recall, for quite a long time. Even though we all knew that wasn't true, and that the number was in the thousands. Maybe there's one "confirmed" case of ProMeris harming an animal, where the company actually saw it happen, or something. And everything else is just considered hearsay. Who knows.

Somewhat on-topic...have you heard about the reintroduction of ProHeart 6? I'd love to see you write a blog post about it with your thoughts. There's info here:

http://www.proheart6.com/

Janine June 6th, 2008 07:42:00 PM

Janine: You must be reading my post list. I just read about the ProHeart6 thing yesterday and it's definitely in the works. Thanks!

Dr. Patty Khuly June 7th, 2008 07:55:00 AM

I urge pet owners, especially dog owners, to visit this site:

http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/index.htm

It is regularly updated with info on veterinary drugs and links to news articles on the topic, from the consumer watchdog perspective.

Stefani June 7th, 2008 09:28:00 AM

Interesting article on ProHeart 6, got the linke from dogsadversereactions.com

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf50...

Stefani June 7th, 2008 09:31:00 AM

I won't be purchasing ProMeris or ProHeart, and will urge my friends to stay away also. Amitraz has been long known for adverse reactions, why would it even be marketed? And what person would go for the ProHeart6 with proper disclosure---crazy!

Frontline, Interceptor, and Heartguard are still working for my pets in New England---just need to remember to administer it faithfully.My dogs also haven't had a positive stool sample either, from the random samples. BTW, I have not heard of a heartworm case locally (MA or NH) in years, and it used to be a very big concern.

Barbara A. Albright/New Hampshire June 7th, 2008 09:06:00 PM

Here in Israel, we don't have heartworm. Instead, we have Spirocerca Lupi (known here as "park worm" http://www.chai-online.org/en/companion/health/car... ), and give our dogs a treatment/preventative every 2-3 months.
I have heard stories about Promeris interacting in a bad way with the Spirocerca Lupi treatment.
Since Advantix works well here for my dog, I don't see a reason to give Promeris just yet.

Xslf June 8th, 2008 01:54:00 AM

Amitraz is a miracle worker as far as I'm concerned. I had a horrible time controlling brown dog ticks last year. Frontline and K9 advantix were both totally ineffective. My vet told me to try the Preventic collar and it worked wonders. I don't keep it on my dog all the time, but I've got one on hand in case I need it. Amitraz is like any other pesticide, it can cause problems when not used according to the labeled directions.

Chip June 9th, 2008 01:48:00 PM

I have to say as a sales person that works for a distribution company that sells Promeris, I have not had calls about reactions. I have had calls that some people don't like the smell, but no adverse reaction calls. This is not to say there are none, just maybe not the blown up hype you read on the internet. As far as Pro-Heart 6, yes it is being re-released next week. Keep in mind this product has been successfully used for years in the rest of the world. It has never been taken off the market or had the huge negative opinion's in the other country's it has been used in. One thing to keep in mind, mfg. sales people want sales and will say what they think you want to here to sell their product. Promeris was an innovative product that could cut into the gravy boat of many sales people who had products we had to buy because there were not alot of options. When Vetmedin was approved, I did research on international sites to look for negative reports, I couldn't find any. I sell the product with confidence, the same can be said of Pro-Heart 6. Jury is still out on Promeris, but I have alot of repeat business. Bottom line is do your research. look at credable web site, be responsible.

Kathy June 9th, 2008 01:59:00 PM

Kathy,
Re: " Keep in mind this product has been successfully used for years in the rest of the world."

Can you point to a source for this information? My understanding is that the product used outside the US is different from the one previously offered (and the one newly offered) in the US. If you have information that the product is the same, I'd be interested to read about it.

slt June 10th, 2008 11:40:00 AM

Pro-Heart 6 is the same product as used in the rest of the world. There are a couple of label differences though. Ex... in Australia the product is a once a year dosage. In this country the label claim is 6 months.

Kathy June 10th, 2008 01:19:00 PM

Thank you Kathy. To my way of thinking, a 12 month dose of something may indeed be a different product from a 6 month dose of something. So Proheart 6 and Proheart 12 may be two different products. And possibly that difference is what killed hundreds of dogs in the US.

YesBiscuit! June 10th, 2008 02:08:00 PM

Proheart 12 has 3x the moxidectin of Proheart 6.

observer June 13th, 2008 06:11:00 AM

After applying ProMeris to my 9 year-old collie, she experienced an alarming reduction in her heart rate and suffered many of the symptoms in the infamous one case. She required an injection to reverse the effects. I too am infuriated by the manufacturer's claim that blogs like this are based on one case. My vet alone has seen 5+ cases. It is one thing to claim that these cases are an acceptable risk, but to deny there are valid cases where others have had terrifying experiences with the drug is inexcusable.

VaLissa Padgett June 24th, 2008 01:25:00 PM

I am a veterinarian who does per diem relief work at several hospitals. I was involved in a case where a dog had an acute onset of lethargy with multiple episodes of vomiting the morning after ProMeris was applied the previous evening. Bloodwork and x rays were normal and the dog made a full recovery. That hospital took the product off the shelves and is no longer selling it. The office manager contacted Fort Dodge to report the adverse reaction and inquired to see if they would reimburse the client for the costs incurred. They are still waffling around on that question. But there's no question I will not be recommending this product to any of my clients.

Michael Roth June 30th, 2008 09:22:00 PM

My dog became very ill after receiving ProMeris. There are hundreds of other similar cases on the internet. Considering there are other equally effective (or more so...stuff did not work on my dogs or on others) and less dangerous alternatives available, why risk putting a loved one through possible seizures, vomitting, diarrhea, lethargy, pain, or possible death. I created a webpage with links to warn others. I wish somebody had told me and I'd had the sense to research this stuff before I used it. The vet I purchased it from is no longer selling this product. In a nutshell,using ProMeris to fight fleas is simply not worth the risk. http://hometown.aol.com/janey1098/ProMeris.html

Janey Darnell July 25th, 2008 10:14:00 PM

I dont agree with what people are saying about promeris. I have a boxer that had to almost put to sleep bescause he had canine demodex, he was on medicine for quit some time, going through scrappings,acid baths, than oral medicine, hair loss, itchy scally skin, and loss of appettite. Finally the scrappings came back with very few of the microscoptic bugs, so the vet put him on promeris.And since he has been on promeris it hasnt harmed him, no side effects,no signs of demodex, and i dont have to put my dog to sleep. As people say there is an ingredient amitraz in it, and yes there is but if you do research on amitraz you will find what breed of animals it hurts and what amitraz is used for, for example demodex. And as a owner of a dog and 3 children i look at what all the ingredients and get an understanding on the medicine or whatever it may be that i am going to administer to them.

kristina August 8th, 2008 04:50:00 PM

My dog collapsed and almost died following application of Promeris the other weekend. I am a veterinary nurse, qualified for a number of years and I teach clients how to apply flea treatments - so there is no way my dog ingested any of the product. I am lucky I was around at the time and able to start emergency treatment whilst waiting for the vet. He had a heart rate of 40, he was totally white and totally collapsed. It took 48hrs of monitoring, 3 different drugs and iv fluids to get him back to normal. I have spoken to the company myself who have informed me that european clinical trials are being done in september on the product as they are unable to tell me why reactions like this are happening. I am fuming, why then are we still selling the product? They are paying my dogs bill but I am not worried about money, my insurance would have covered it! My boss is seeing the Fort Dodge rep soon and I would like anyone who has the time to email me experiences with this product. mandygvn79@yahoo.com
Many thanks
P.S we are never selling the product in our practice

mandyg August 10th, 2008 08:40:00 AM

I have been using promeris on on my dog for 3 months it has worked great for my dog. She has demodectic mange which is a condition that was passed on by her parents. Since being on promeris her skin is shiney and healthy. She is also much happier the itchin has stoped.

Jessica September 28th, 2008 07:29:00 PM

I am having a horrible time with fleas right now. We usually use frontline, but it seems to be ineffective. We bombed the house last weekend, everyone except one cat got baths (i looked for flea foam for him, apparently it is no longer made). My vet only sells promeris now. I like to use as few chemicals as possible and am hesitant to use it. Can anyone tell me how safe/effective advantage is?

erika mccormick October 24th, 2008 05:45:00 PM

I used ProMeris on my JRT. A few hours later ,he was foaming at the mouth,lethargic,could hardly stand. DO NOT USE THIS. It is dangerous.I called the manufacturere and was treated as though I was imagining it!! My dog is 4 years old. I know my dog.He was sick for two days.I called the vet and informed him as to what had happened. Also called vets in teh Hosuton area and told them.Please tell your friends to beware of this stuff.

Nina November 5th, 2008 08:39:00 PM

I have a 15 y/o diabetic Jack Russell Terrier. I used Promeris on her and noticed some skin irritation, but since I bathed her regularly during the summer, I guess the true horror of this drug wasn't evident. Now it is January, and I have not bathed her for a few months, and I noticed a dark marking in the application area. She has a severe chemical burn in the Promeris application area. There is a 3 x 4 inch area of burned skin. I am treating her with an antibiotic ointment, and she is slowly healing, but I am concerned for her. I hope she makes it. My other dog showed lethargy and drooling after applying Promeris, but I thought it was just my imagination until I read these stories. I will never use this product again, have contacted the company and my vet (they have had hundreds of complaints and are not selling it anymore, and am considering legal action. I hope this company goes bankrupt. And yes, I am applying it properly. I am a Medical Technologist and have used Frontline for years with no problems.

Mary Matulaitis January 10th, 2009 03:40:44 PM

PROHEART6 KILLED MY 4 YEAR OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER, HUNTER, WHEN IT WAS OUT THE FIRST TIME. IT BROUGHT ON AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA AND LIVER DAMAGE. HE SPENT 8 DAYS IN ICU--A TON OF MEDS, 2 TRANFUSIONS OF 2 UNIT OF BLOOD EACH TIME, X-RAYS, ULTRASOUND, THE BEST OF CARE COULD NOT SAVE HIM. IT SEEMS AIHA AND LIVER DAMAGE WERE 2 OF THE LEADING REACTIONS THAT CAUSED DEATH. AND MY PRECIOUS BOY HAD BOTH. i WAS IN CONTAT VIA WEB AND PHONE WITH MANY WHO EITHER LOST A DOG/DOGS, OR ALMOST LOST A DOG/DOGS TO PROHEART6,. THE MAKER, FORT DODGE, WAS CALLING US GRIEVING DOG OWNERS, SAID WE WERE SPREADING RUMORS, ETC. WELL, IT WAS NO RUMOR MY HUNTER, JEANS TASHA AND NIKI, STACY'S PRECIOUS, JANCIE'S TROUBLE, MYRA'S DUKER,SUE'S BANDIT, LAURIES MURPHY, ETC, ETC, ETC DIED. ACCORDING TO THE FDA, ONLY 10 TO 15% OF THE REACTIONS/DEATHS WERE REPORTED. AND THERE WERE ABOUT 600 DEATHS REPORTED AT THE TIME IT WAS PULLED, MEANINT IT WAS ACTUALLY THOUSDANS THAT HAD DIED. AND I KNOW OF SOME WHO FOUGHT FOR A YEAR OR SO AND THEN DIED. ONE WAS A 2 YEAR OLD PIT BULL WHO WENT FROM A PUPPY TO AN OLD DOG AFTER GETTING PROHEART6. oZZY LIVED 2 YEARS, AND FINALLY HIS BODY COULD NOT AKE IT ANY MORE AND HE DIED. AS FOR IT BEING SO SAFE IN OTHER COUNTRIES. I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT AUSTRALIA. THERE THE PEOPLE RPORT TO THE PROPER GOVERNMENT AGENCY WHO IN TURN TURN THE CASE OVER TO THE MAKER TO "INVESTIGATE AND DECIDE IF THEIR PRODUT IS AT FAUL OR NOT". I CONSIDER THAT LETTING THE FOX INVETIGATE THE HEN HOUSE RAID. OF COURSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ADMIT THEIR PRODUCTIS AT FAULT AND HAVE TO PAY OUT VET BILLS AND POSSIBILY REMOVE IT FROM THE MARKET IN THAT COUNTRY. MANY WHO LOST OR ALMOST LOS A DOG IN AUSTRALIA HAVE COME TO AMERICAN FORUMS LOOKNG FOR ANSWERS. THEY HAVE NO FDA THERE TO INVESTIGATE AND HAE INFORMATIO FOR THE PUBLIC. THE FIRST TIME IT OUT IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE SO SAFE. THEY DENIED THEIR PRODUCT WAS KILLING OUR DOGS. NOW THEY SAY IT HAS BEEN REFORMULAED AND THE "RESIDUE SUSPECTED OF CAUSING THE REACTIONS HAS BEEN REMOVED". THIS MEANS ONE THING TO ME. THEY KNOW IT KILLED MY HUNTER AND ALL THE OTHERS. HE DIE OCT. 16, 2003 AND IT WAS PULLED FROM THE MARKET ON SEPT. 3, 2004. I HTE SEEIN IT BACK AND DO NOT TRUST IT. NOR DO I TRUST THIS PROMERIS. AS ONE VET TECH ON ONE FORUM PUT IT "PROHEART6, PROMERIS, PROCRAP." I FOUND THAT FRONTLINE PLUS DID NOT WORK WELL THIS YEAR----AFTR USING IT FOR YEARS. WE LIVE ON THE TEXAS COAST AND FLEAS ARE BAD. I HERDABOUT PROMERIS, BUT THEN DID A LITTLE RESEACH AND DID NOT LIKE WHAT I READ. MY VET SUGGESTED A CHEWABLE TABLET, COMFORTIS, BUT I WAS NOT WILLING TO TRY IT UNTIL I LEARNED MORE. HOWEVER AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL WHO HAD BEEN USING IT, I DECIDE TO TRY IT---HAD NOT FOUND ASINGLE NEGATIVE THING ABOUT IT ON THE WEB EITHER--AND IT WORKS GREAT. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT WORK AGAINST TICKS, ONLY FLEAS AND THAT CAN BE A BIG DRAW BACK IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TICKS. PS. IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PROHEART6, GO TO www.dogsadversereactions.com AND CLICK ON MOXIDECTIN. THE LADY THAT HAS THIS SITE ALMOST LOST HER PUG TO PROHEART6. THERE IS ALSO www.thepetgaurdian.com. THI LAY OOK IN ALL 3 OF HER DOGS THE SAME DAY FOR PROHEART6 INJECTIONS AND IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, ONE WAS DEAD OF LIVER, ONE WAS DEAD OF AUTIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMAI AND THE 3 WAS ON MEDS, AND 6 YEARS LATER IS STILL ON MDS AND REQUIRES CONSTANT VET CARE.

SANDRA January 11th, 2009 04:44:28 AM

I own a 5.5 year old female Cavalier King Charles, and the pet nearly passed away after an application of Promeris 2 weeks ago, that we had tried on recommendation from our vet (we used to use Frontline).

A couple hours after the application, our dog started fainting, and could not stand on its leg anymore. My wife had the good reaction to wash the dog immediately and thoroughly, and we took the pet to the emergency local vet (it was in the evening) where the dog stayed overnight, and did fine in the end. The vet gave it a Dawn wash, heart monitoring (the rate had fallen low) and fluids injections.

It tells me one thing: there are adverse reactions to Promeris, and the level of due diligence and vetting done on vet products seems to be something that is neither thorough nor very scientific.

IMHO this product should never have been on the market in the first place, especially when you can read the EPA submissions and reports, where most if not all the focus is on the product effects on ticks and fleas, yet ignore most of the effects on the pets themselves.

Some internet researches are showing that the EPA takes the problem seriously:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/foia/reviews/281250/281250-2006-11-30a.pdf

they seem to question Fort Dodge marketing of that drug for puppies, which at least is  a start, but I can see most adverse reactions accounts here and elsewhere on adults dogs and cats instead.

Their European counterparts reports similar issues too:

http://www.emea.europa.eu/pdfs/vet/press/pr/39100906.pdf

though the fact that the drugs was still approved is appalling.

For the full list of EPA reports on Promeris:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/foia/reviews/106201/

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/foia/reviews/281250/

Joelimome April 12th, 2009 08:19:20 PM

Just to give some extracts of some of those EPA reports:

I am quoting exerpts from page two, which is a report on Amitraz one of the tow components of Promeris, based on submissions to the EPA by Fort Dodge (NB: this dates afrom 2006!)

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/foia/reviews/106201/281250-2006-08-21c.pdf

"COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Overall, the findings from these studies do not indicate that an adequate margin of safety exists between the companion animal (dog) use exposure and that at which symptoms of toxicity occur.  This is particularly evident in the Chihuahua study (MRID 46672102), in which possible indications of toxity occurred at 1X. [Editor note: meaning this is a potentially toxic product even at normal dose]

[...]

All animals survided until the termination of the study. There were no treatments-related effects in any of the doga [Editor note: a grand total of six Chihuahua dogs] on body weight, hematology and clinical chemistry parameters or overalll general health. [Editor note: meaning all was well] Clinical signs observed immediately after treatment included: hyperactivity (4/6 treated dogs) and pruritis (5/6 treated dogs) with pruritus occuring for up to 7 hours [Editor note: meaning four out of the six dogs were feeling so well that they were hyper and itching] . Lacrimation occurred in 1/6 of treated dogs 24 hours after the first appliaction and in a different treated dog immediately after the 2nd application. The only female dog in the treatment group vomited one time on the first day post-treatment with both treatments suggesting a treatment-related effect. [Editor note: all is so well that one of the poor Chihuahua female puke her guts out upon application of the product. extrapolating form this very large canine population would 16% of the dogs puke too? Puking is not serious after all, sure.]   A small swelling was also observed at the area of application in 3/6 treated dogs at day 2, 7 and 11 post-application but was gone by day 21. [Editor note: half of the dogs experienced swelling, but really all is well] None of these clinical signs was observed in the untreated control dogs.

[Editor note: now let's get creadit to the EPA for the following]

This 21-day toxicity study in the dog is UNACCEPTABLE/NONGUIDELINE and does not satisfy the guideline requirement for a companion animal safety study. Only one dose level was tested and the number of animals tested (5 males and 1 female) was inadequate.

[Editor note: not comments: draw your own conclusion]

[...]"

the rest of the report and other is just applaing... that drug show not be on the market.

Joelimome April 12th, 2009 08:47:04 PM

I've use Advantix 20 on my dogs for over a year now without problems, but I got the Advantage 18 for my cat and that's quite another story.  First of all I was never told to separate my dogs from the cat when i treated them, but they don't really roll around on the floor playing as much as they used to and I changed my dogs to a monthly tablet for fleas because of the terrible odor of the Advantix 20.

Last night I heard something outside and I thought it was the dogs wrestling around with the cat so I called the whole bunch inside. The dogs came in but not the cat. Lover (that's his name) was lying on his side, I thought he was playing with the bushes, but at a closer look I actually think he was having a seizure, I'm also a registered nurse. I went into my nurse mode and observed him closely. I called for my husband and returned to Lovers side. He was coming too but he had these spastic twitches like tetanus, and his breathing was very labored. He was salivating, and could barely meow. I wrapped him in a towel, I could feel he was having the twitches over his whole body. I wasn't sure what was going on but I knew it wasn't good, it seemed neurological. I placed him in the cage to keep him separate from the other animals and started praying. It was 2AM so I knew I had several hours before his vet would be in. He kept trying to eat and drink but for some reason couldn't so I hand fed him a small bite to eat. I tucked him in hoping and praying for the best.  

This morning he seemed better so I fed him a small portion of food by hand and went to class. When i returned from class Lover was even better. i decided to check his symptoms out on the internet. Well lo and behold his symptoms were the same as cats with reactions to advantage. I went to the vet who told me to keep doing the same things I had been doing and that it seemed like he would have no permanent damage. It was frightening to say the least. 

How could a company manufacture a drug like that for poor defenseless animals. i thought I was doing a good thing treating him with this med. I almost killed him!

No more Advantage for my cat or dogs!!!!!

candi reeder April 23rd, 2009 05:56:21 PM

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jeff June 10th, 2009 03:59:50 AM

Promeris saved my dog's life.  I have a yorkie with demodex (mange).  He was having to take ivermectin daily.  It was horrible.  It is odd to me how some dogs get sick after promeris and some don't.  He's been using if for about 8 months with absolutely NO problems.  It is a miracle drug for him.  Ivermectin usually stops working over time.  When I upped his dosage he would become very, very sick.  I thank God for Promeris. 

Carla June 20th, 2009 12:19:36 PM