Side Effects of Flea Medicine

Pet owners will do nearly anything to ensure the comfort and safety of their furry friends. Fleas must be treated, of course, but a flea problem is something that can be misdiagnosed by pet owners. Not all itches mean a flea infestation. Before treating a scratching pet with an expensive flea medicine, pay a visit to your veterinarian and be sure you are made aware of any and all side effects.

  1. Skin Irritation

    • Most of today's flea medicines have minimal risk of major side effects. An irritation of the skin, especially at the spot of treatment, is the most common side effect. A redness or slight swelling may occur, which should disappear after a couple of days. This skin irritation may cause your pet to scratch the area of application. With OTC flea treatment, you also run the risk of administering too much of the medication, which can increase the risk of skin irritation. If the irritation is too severe following treatment, an oral medicine as opposed to a topical treatment may be the better choice.

    Allergic Reaction

    • As a side effect, an allergy to flea treatment medicine can be difficult to determine. The pet may be allergic to the fleas themselves, as opposed to the treatment. Signs of a minor allergy include licking its paws, rubbing its nose on the floor and scratching or biting at its body. If a pet shows signs of a serious allergic reaction to flea medicine, take it to a veterinarian immediately. If it is known that a pet has allergies to flea medications, it should be treated for fleas only by the vet.

    Loss of Appetite

    • Loss of appetite occurs most often when a topical treatment is administered. The animal licks the treated area and ingests some of the medicine. This will lead to a loss of appetite due to an upset stomach. The pet may also drool from ingesting the medicine, or have an increase in saliva. Most common flea control products have been proven to be non-toxic, with no lasting harm for the pet.

    Uncommon Symptoms

    • Always follow the instructions for any treatment you administer at home, especially when giving a treatment for the first time. Monitor your pet closely for the first few hours following treatment. Negative reactions to certain medicines, or other neurological effects may occur. If the cat or dog exhibits symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or seizures, contact the veterinarian immediately.