Cat reacting badly to Advocate - anyone else?

[RoooneyMara]

I've noticed a few times that she has seemed a bit under the weather after I've treated her, but because it works, I've let this go (things like being sick, or having cystitis - which she tends to get when stressed)

However I didn't use anything for about 6 months, and on saturday I put advocate on her neck as ds1 had seen a flea in the house.

on saturday night/Sunday morning she was sick, and then when I got up, she didn't - she was lying still on the chair, didn't want any breakfast (she is normally very keen) and I then found she had had an accident on the carpet too (she has a tray, I can only assume she was too poorly/confused to use it)

She was hungry again within another 12 hours or so, and then yesterday she started spraying (cystitis) and that has now stopped, as usual.

I called the vets and asked if it could be the Advocate. They said yes, it could be, though they find fewer cats react to it than did to Frontline.

I've now read on the net that it contains loads of horrid toxins and I'm pretty concerned that people are giving this stuff to their pets.

Also I'm not sure what to use any more...a comb I suppose, diatomaceous earth maybe...and what to do with the Advocate I have left.

Poor cat looked terrible and I'm pretty sure it can be linked to this.

Any thoughts/similar experiences?

[cozietoesie]

Rooney

Of course it contains toxins - they're needed to kill the little blighters. Some cats might be more sensitive to them than others.

How is she now?

[RoooneyMara]

She seems Ok. A bit unsettled but otherwise she is eating, pretty much, and seems to be up and about generally.

I don't mean toxins as in a bit of permethrin or whatever - I saw on another cat forum a massive list of the things in it and what they do in testing, eg things that cause cancer, kidney failure etc in test animals, and possibly in humans...

I didn't realise it was that heavy duty iyswim?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Drugs can be toxins to an individual. Advocate contains moxidectin and imidacloprid both of which are fairly new drugs with many less side effects than permethrin, however, there is no drug that is totally free of side effects. The only other thing in it is an alcohol carrier and actual the alcohol carrier would fit with the kind of symptoms you are describing.
It could be worth considering a Seresto collar than contains imidacloprid and flumethrin so does prevent ticks from attaching and does not contain an alcohol carrier. My cats have been wearing these collars for 18months now and fitted properly they have caused no problems at all and no fleas or ticks. The real bonus is that the collar is effective for 8 months so for those of us who are forgetful it is very helpful.

[RoooneyMara]

Many thanks...the vet did mention the carrier might be responsible.

I will look at those collars you mention.

Bit fed up as the advocate is so blooming expensive, but I don't want her to go through this again.

Thanks again.

[RoooneyMara]

Just been reading this and now I'm not so sure.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Rooney as I mentioned earlier all drugs have the potential to be toxic in a few individuals. If you google any vetmed or human med you will individual cases. There have been individual cats who have reacted badly to frontline too. It is all about balancing the risks and benefits on a case by case basis. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a 100% safe product without side effects. However, the side effects are rare.

[lljkk]

Fleas give cats worms & the worms from the fleas (she already had, usually had them a while by the time you see a flea) may be causing same symptoms. I don't think you can say one way or the other.

[cozietoesie]

Rooney

As said above - it's a balance. Are you and the cat prepared to live with fleas?

[RoooneyMara]

Sorry I asked.

[MumnGran]

The symptoms perhaps also be those of a large number of worms dying?Advocate also kills worms, and they release toxins into the system. If the worm infestation is heavy, then the toxins can have an obvious effect on the animal..... and an "accident" outside the litter tray could be consistent.

LoneCat knows her stuff and the advice is very sound.
I am afraid people are just being honest in saying there are only 2 options.....not trying to annoy you. Pet owners either need to use chemical treatments/collars or live with fleas/worms etc. The effects of permanent infestations, for the animal, are far greater than the minimal risk factors of vet prescribed preventatives.

[RoooneyMara]

Thankyou, I didn't see any worms though in the accident...I had wondered about that.

Sorry. I appreciated most of the answers and clearly some people know their stuff, it's really kind to take the time to answer my questions.

But the most recent poster before you sounded very annoyed and a bit confrontational. I wasn't sure what I had done wrong in asking.

[Lbridge25]

Did you stop using advocate?

[dementedpixie]

My vet has changed our flea treatment to stronghold plus. Could you try a different one to see if it has fewer side effects?

[Heuschrecke]

Our vet, whilst still prescribing Advocate as one the flea treatments, has recently suggested that we use Broadline for both of them as it suits one of our cats better. Smaller cat wasn't too happy with Advocate - and, yes, they had the correct prescription for their different weights. So we're currently using Broadline for both of them.

[cozietoesie]

Always keep your vet in the loop. 🙂

[fenneltea]

One of my old cats reacted badly to advocate, he would become quite lethargic and stop eating and look generally unwell with a poor coat and his third eyelid showing. When it happened for the second time after flea treatment we used a different one and he had no further issues with the new one.