- 2596-146¹ Control One-Spot for Dogs
(2.9% methoprene and 45% permethrin) - 2596-147 Control One-Spot for Cats
(2.9% methoprene) - 2596-148 Advanced Care Flea and Tick Drops for Cats (85.7% d-phenothrin and 2.9% methoprene)
- 2596-150 Advanced Care Flea and Tick Drops for Dogs (85.7% dphenothrin and 2.9% methoprene)
The investigation found that 141 cat deaths were directly attributable to having been treated either intentionally or accidentally with Product #2596-146, and an additional 17 deaths came from contact with dogs treated with that product. These deaths constituted 66% of the total deaths reported. Of Major Events (not resulting in death) reported, 316 were in cats directly treated with Product #2596-146, or having contact with treated dogs. These figures provide a compelling reason to observe label instructions in all products.
There were 202 deaths reported for Product #2596-147, (from data provided by NAPCC (National Animal Poison Control Center). Of those, 75 were considered unlikely due to product exposure, and 109 deaths were of unknown cause, partially due to incomplete information by the reporting persons.² Nine cases of liver failure and death were found to be attributable to that product.
Of "major events" (not death related incidents), 128 (76%) involved tremor and/or seizures, and 109 of the total 169 "were categorized as unlikely caused by 2596-147." It should be noted that this product does not contain permethrin. Its active ingredient is methoprene. However, with this ingredient alone, the report cited multiple cases of "possible dermal hypersensitivity, with symptoms of "hyperactivity, nervousness, trying to bite at application site, hissing, agitation, tachycardia, dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and panting."
A Packaging Mix-Up?
The EPA found evidence of a possible packaging mix-up, e.g. that the product intended for dogs was accidentally placed into packaging intended for cats - a possibility that certainly could account for the "unknown cause" conclusions, given the results of the report on the related product meant for dogs only. Hartz officials deny this possibility. But one of the report recommendations is for a "product relabeling and recovery program," to check the ingredients of products on shelves of retail outlets across the country, particularly those that might have old, outdated packaging, to preclude the possibility of a packaging mix-up.
For purposes of brevity, I will not include the reports on the remaining products. However, it is strongly suggested that the reader read the EPA report in its entirety, and form your own conclusions.
¹The EPA Product Registration Number
²The report further states: In the NAPCC
reports, there are notations in the narrative sections where the toxicologists repeatedly questioned owners and veterinarians about such exposure. Even if owners insisted that a cat was exposed only to 2596-147, an incident was still categorized as doubtful (unlikely using EPA categories).
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