To worry that we've poisoned our cat?

[dandelionsticks]

Sorry, posting on AIBU for traffic and in the hope that a vet/someone more knowledgeable can advise. Our cat was due its flea treatment today. We use Frontline Plus with 10% friponil. I applied it this morning. My DH has just come home from work and also applied it assuming that I hadn't until he realised the mistake. This is the first time we've ever done this in 13 years and now we're really worried we've poisoned our beloved cat. He's 13 yo so an elderly cat otherwise in good health. I immediately washed his entire neck area to get rid of it as much as possible but I assume the stuff is absorbed pretty immediately. I locked the cat flap to keep an eye on the cat - he seemed okay so far - but now my DH has accidentally opened the door and the cat has run out (he likes to be out at night) and won't come back in (he's already eaten). I'm now super worried in case he collapses somewhere. Where we are, it's impossible to find our cat once he's roaming. On top of it all, we're going away early doors tomorrow so only have a friend coming over to feed daily but the cat doesn't usually appear when friend comes. So we've no way to check up on him.

Is anyone able to advise? I'm really terrified that a double dosage of Frontline means my cat will OD somewhere :(((((((

Is there a customer service number on the box that you can ring for advice?

If you ring a vet they will have an out of hours vet available who will be able to give you advice. Really hope the cat is ok!

The over-the-counter treatments are not as strong (nor effective) as some of the vet prescriptions, so try not to worry. Many of the shop treatments work by migrating the flea treatment through the coat of the cat for 24-48 hours. If the cat allows, baby wipe around the neck and shoulder area when he comes back. There is more cause for concern when the wrong flea treatment is administered...like a dog flea treatment put on a cat.

An elderly cat should not be out at night, even though they are noctural creatures (I own four). They are unlikely to be seen by cars, and there are predators out there like foxes. If you have concerns about your cat, pop him to the vet for an emergency appointment over the weekend.

I don’t want to worry you but having had a similar experience with my elderly cat (she was also very petite, weight matter in this situation) I would take them to a vet ASAP

So not only did DH double does but he let poor cat out to ! DH would be sleeping outside !
But accidents do happen my neighbour a similar thing a few years ago but just gave his small cat the dose that was meant for his much bigger one he also washed as much of as possible ( that how I found out about it , he was scratched to bits , puss did not appreciate the bath ! ) His cat was fine .

Its a bit late now but try to decide who will medicate all pets ( and DCs) in future it should always be just one person .

Is it prescribed or a shop bought treatment?

@dandelionsticks it says it’s tested at several times the dose due to many women having husbands like yours you washed it and it says avoid washing for 2 days after application so it should be fine.

Q. I applied a pipette of Frontline this morning and my husband applied another this afternoon. Will this cause a problem?

A. Frontline has been tested at several times the recommended dose and appears to be safe but if you see any side effects then call the vet.

www.petprescription.co.uk/flea-control-for-cats-frontline

Honestly I think your cat will be fine. You would have to put so much of that stuff on to cause an overdose... we're taking like ten of the things. I doubt they'd even be allowed to sale it if it was so potent that a double dose would cause injury as these things can so easily happen. Try not to worry too much, but If you are still worried, you could call the vet for a quick chat or try contact the company as someone else suggested.

I work in a vets. I would say your cat is probably going to be fine. All they'd do at the vets is give your cat a wash, and you did that pretty much straight away. Just watch out for any adverse affects.
Sickness, diarrhoea, lethargy. The dosage rate on something like that, is quite high for it to cause a massive problem.

Thanks everyone. I'm slightly calmer now as (after posting) I stood outside in the dark quietly calling for my cat to come back and he did. I've given him another wash and more cuddles and he's currently lying stretched out on his side watching me type this. He seems his usual relaxed self which is a good sign as it's been an hour now since the second dosage.

FatherBrownsBicycle, thanks. I've just seen this as well that safety tests involve putting 5 x the dosage on cats and kittens monthly for 6 months with no harmful effects. Which suggests, as Scoobydoo71 pointed out, that the non-prescriptive stuff isn't as strong. We get it from Pets at Home over the counter (no prescription).

Scoobydoo71, I agree with you on the risks of an elderly cat going out at night. It's an ongoing discussion we have at home and also with our vet. My DH and our vet both feel that the stress caused if we keep him against his will at night would be more harmful than the risks of foxes and other cats when he goes out at night. Our cat cried at the door so much when we trialled keeping him in at night. He feels that our cat is still fighting fit - he's as agile as he was when younger - and would more than hold his own against another fox or cat (I've seen him fight off younger cats in the day time who have tried to encroach on his territory). What we may do is put a bluetooth tracker on him to see where he roams and when as my DH suspects he comes in when we've gone to bed.

Again, thank. you everyone. Cat will be kept in tonight for observation and we'll take him to the vet tomorrow if he shows any sign of distress.

Thank you so much for the advice and reassurance.

Its good to know he is back home and seems to be ok

Update for all: my cat seems fine. I kept him in to keep an eye on him and stayed up until 1am before falling asleep. Only to be woken at 3am by cat persistently miaowing in my ear as he wanted me to unlock the cat flap. I've not been able to fall asleep again. Will be exhausted today but a small price to pay to know that my cat is fine. Phew!

GladTo hear it! Cats are as much trouble as children sometimes!

Glad to hear the cat is fine, but you may consider improving your comms with your hubby. It could have been worse.

Not that my DH would ever do cat work (the ninja killer is entirely my responsibility), but in our house it would be impossible to double dose because I write the date each dose is to be administered on the sachet.

We have spot on worm and flea treatments, which can't be given within a fortnight of each other, and my vet gives me several doses of each in advance to cover 6 months between check ups.

So when I pick them up, I immediately work out the dates they should all be given and write it on, to remind myself. It may be an idea to do the same OP.

glad that he seems fine
if the box l has several doses, why not write the date you administered it on the box?
I do, and its just me & the cat - no danger of partners/housemates giving a dose in error