Home Scandal and Gossip Pet owner blames popular flea medication for dog’s death

Pet owner blames popular flea medication for dog’s death

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Ted DeSalvo, Windham, Ohio dog owner claims popular flea and tick medication killing his dog.
Ted DeSalvo, Windham, Ohio dog owner blames Simparica Trio a popular medication for flea and ticks for dog's death as he urges pet owners to be aware of the risks using such medications.
Ted DeSalvo, Windham, Ohio dog owner claims popular flea and tick medication killing his dog.
Ted DeSalvo, Windham, Ohio dog owner blames Simparica Trio a popular medication for flea and ticks for dog’s death as he urges pet owners to be aware of the risks using such medications.

Ted DeSalvo, Windham, Ohio dog owner blames Simparica Trio for dog’s death. How reliable are flea and tick medications and what risks await dog and cat owners? 

Should you be using flea medication for your pet dog? 

An Ohio pet owner has claimed a popular flea and tick medication led to the death of his dog, saying his veterinarian failed to warn him about the possible side effects.

Ted DeSalvo’s dog, 3-year-old Greta, was euthanized last month. The dog owner blames her death on Simparica Trio, a popular chewable tablet used to protect dogs against heartworm disease, ticks and fleas.

Who bears culpability over pet dog’s death?

‘She was a companion to me,’ DeSalvo of Windham told WOIO. ‘She was murdered in my view. She was murdered by this product.’

Greta had a chewable Simparica tablet June 1. The next day, the canine had seizures. The animal according to DeSalvo had been taking the medication once a month for two years.

‘Usually, she runs out of her crate, but this time, she didn’t run out; she hesitated. We looked inside, and she was shaking. She was having seizures,’ DeSalvo told WOIO. 

The dog owner immediately took Greta to the vet, where he says he was told it was a ‘neurological issue.’

‘We asked about the medication then, and at that time, she did admit … she’s seen that product do that to other dogs,’ DeSalvo said.

Greta progressively got worse over time, and her owner was forced to put her down.

‘She had no action. She was dead weight,’ DeSalvo said.

DeSalvo claims his vet didn’t initially warn him about the possible side effects of Simparica. On the back of the box, it says adverse reactions may include tremors, ataxia and seizures due to the ingredient sarolaner.

Adverse events warnings

‘Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders,’ the box reads.

DeSalvo says Greta had neither prior to her demise. 

‘This was not explained to us. This is not explainable that it was neurological, that it wasn’t the product,’ he said.

The Food and Drug Administration put out a fact sheet about adverse events associated with isoxazoline flea and tick products in August 2023. Simparica Trio is in the isoxazoline class. The FDA says while the products can and have been safely used in the majority of cats and dogs, pet owners should still consult with their vet to determine what product is best for them.

Zoetis is the company that makes Simparica Trio. In 2022, it put out a statement responding to another dog’s death after a pet owner took their frustration to social media.

The company said:

‘We are confident that Simparica Trio, which has been prescribed to protect over 10 million dogs since coming to the U.S. market in 2020, remains an effective and safe parasite preventative option for most dogs.’

‘Why are those warnings on the box if it’s safe?’

DeSalvo warns other dog owners to research every product before giving it to your dog and always ask questions.

‘Why are those warnings on the box if it’s safe?’ he said.

WOIO reached out to Zoetis. The company says they have spoken to DeSalvo and are investigating Greta’s death.

The company also released a statement:

‘We are committed to providing safe and effective products to veterinarians, pet owners and the animals in their care, and we sympathize with fellow pet owners when they experience a loss. We take the reporting of any adverse event very seriously, and our team works to understand each situation.’

An attempt to get a comment from Ted DeSalvo’s vet has yet to yield a response.

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