Poor Baby

[Kims Critters]

I got a phone call yesterday morning from a very worried cat owner. She had adopted a kitten from someone that she knew from work. The kitten was infested with fleas. She went to Wal-Mart and got some dip made by Hartz. That was Saturday. By Sunday, the kitten was incredibly ill. On Monday, she called her vet and the vet said that there wasn't much that anyone could do as the kitten was beyond saving.

When she called me, I immediately got her in touch with my vet. She rushed the kitten in but unfortunately at 4pm yesterday afternoon, he passed away. She is inconsolable with grief right now. Unfortunately, she fell into the trap that all too many people fall into. Run to the local chain store for flea treatment to save a buck or two. The main ingrediant in the stuff she bought is pyrethin which has been proven to be toxic to cats. I don't understand why or how these products can still be labeled as safe for use on cats and kittens.

I told this woman to write to Hartz and lodge a complaint with them. That is the first step. I also suggested that she write to the FDA and to the AVA about this situation. Hopefully, with enough complaints, this won't happen again.

[lifeisgood]

this is really sad.

[PIFTails]

Sadly most cat lovers know the dangers of Hartz drops but for those who don't here is the Hartz victims website
http://www.hartzvictims.org/index.php

Hartz company know about a number of deaths, yet they refuse to help or even admit that there is a problem.

Why don't you get your friend to pass her story to the above website. Maybe it will help.

Rest in peace little kitten.

[Tryska]

that is so so sad.


i remember when i first got dolla as a kitten he had fleas. all i did was give him a warm bath with no soap, and they all kinda came off. it was his first day with me too. we bonded because i then wrapped him in a towel and cuddled him for the next ocuple of hours.


how come more people don't do that?

[animalsrcool]

omg :mad: hartz should not be selling flea medicine if it can easily kill poor cats! :( :no: im sure hartz knows what's in it (duh) so why can't they take it off the market or put a big warning that says MAY KILL YOUR CAT. cuz yeah, it can cause serious damage. i remember seeing hartz in my drawer. my mom almost used it once :eek: im going to throw it away now. poor kitties :worried:

[fillerbunny]

Ugh. I've heard so many horror stories over the past few years.. I'm shocked that they are allowed to keep selling these products, and even more appalled that the company seems to have no problem with doing so. Has anyone ever attempted to take legal action against Hartz? Perhaps a couple massive, high-profile class action lawsuits might persuade them to pull the drops.. or at the very least, persuade people not to buy them.

*irate* :splat:

[Kims Critters]

From what I gather, the EPA has all the hartz products on a list of things to be tested. Unfortunately, it may take years as the federal funding for the testing of already approved products is low. We did write emails to several places about the incident. I will not allow the complaints to fall on deaf ears. I am one that will make a pain in the butt of myself when I want to be heard.