Careful with Certifect, a new tick/flea killer for dogs

Just a quick heads up to those of you with dogs, especially older ones or sensitive breeds.

I used this stuff on Motor this weekend, put it on Saturday morning and he became lethargic several hours later, probably 1 pm or so. I expected slight lethargy per the label (only warning on there) and left him to go to a derby party, expecting to be back several hours later with Adam getting home a little before me. When I got home he was very lethargic, wobbly, stiff legged, and confused. He was having difficultly drinking water and had an accident in the house. He's had maybe 7-8 accidents in his entire life (honestly I thinks it's less) so that's a pretty damn big deal for him. We looked up side effects online and came upon reviews talking about extreme lethargy, wobbliness, confusion, which progressed to seizures in some cases so we immediately washed it off. He developed diarrhea and needed to go out several times throughout the night and Sunday, the lethargy and mild wobbliness persisted throughout the day. He was also very anti-social, which is unusual. This morning he appears to be less lethargic, not wobbly, and is resuming his normal sociability (i.e. Begging and getting under foot while we are cooking), but still appears to have diarrhea.

I spoke with my vet's office this morning and they haven't had any complaints thus far, but will speak with the drug rep about it. I did notice that the problem dogs online appeared to mostly be older dogs or sensitive breeds, so maybe it's safer with younger non-sensitive breeds. Either which way, just a heads up about possible issues.

Thanks for the heads up. I was thinking of using this on our labs but will speak more to my vet about it first, or maybe just continue with Frontline until this has been out a while longer.

I have just used certifect on my dog too and also had a bad experience. A day after putting it on he became so sleepy I could hardly get him to move and he was having difficulty walking or getting up onto things. Then the diahorrea started, the worst he has ever had in his life, resulting in blood coming out with the liquid, and all over the room twice in the middle of the night. Now on his second day of diahorrea he still does not have control of his bowels and his bottom is leaking constantly. We told the vet about it and he didn't believe it was caused by certifect, as their rep had only warned them about vomiting, but it seems lots of other dogs have had experiences ( Amazon.com: Certifect for Dogs 45-88 lbs 6 month...) so I wanted to warn other pet owners as it's currently being promoted quite heavily in the UK.

Just curious, because my mind works this way, what breed are the dogs affected? Doesn't sound like a product I'd use again. Poor babies.
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Hi Cakemom

Mine is a west highland. And I think you're right it does seem to be certain sort of breeds that are being effected largely (collies/huskies). And sensitive/older dogs. But I'm not sure I'd risk it on any dog unless I was in an extremely bad tick area. It doesn't feel as though the side-effects are fully known/understood, and that the vets prescribing it are being given the right training/information to pass onto their customers. It's seemingly a fairly toxic substance that causes quite alarming/life-threatening reactions in some dogs. I definitely won't use it again.

Motor is a lab, but he is older (11). From what I've read it's like Dandh said, older/sensitive dogs and certain breeds (collies/huskies/etc)

Yeah, sounds like it. Those are sensitive breeds, same ones we had issues with when Remadyl (pain med) was first issued. I am with you still though, not a product I'm going to use.
I sure hope your baby is better.
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I put it on my two German Shepherds (7 and 8 years old) with no problems for the dogs, but the smell was a bit much for me. I hope all your dogs are better now- that sounds horrible, especially for something that is supposed to HELP them.

I have two Labs. Hunter is an American Yellow Lab and Max is an English Chocolate Lab. Both are almost 2 years old. This June was the first time I tried Certifect. The day I applied the medication both dogs were extremely lethargic but it wore off and the next day they were both back to normal. However about a week later Max started having tremors. At first they only lasted about 10 to 20 seconds now almost a month later they are lasting a whole minute. He has never had any health problems before and we are hoping as the medication fades from his system the tremors with subside. Also our yellow Lab Hunter has been vomiting at least twice a week since the application. When we consulted our vet she suggested it may have been a shock to their systems because we have always used Revolution (which is natural). The harsh chemicals in Certifect were too much for their systems to handle. I would never suggest this product, I love my dogs and it's just too risky.

Motor is pretty normal now, except he is having problems with his anal glands. Not really certain what that's about, but it was not an issue before the application.