The Side Effects of Revolution Flea Medication
Revolution is a flea treatment for dogs and cats. It is a topical treatment applied monthly that kills adult fleas and flea eggs. Although side effects are rare, there are a few that can develop. Knowing the possible side effects of the flea treatment helps you identify when your pet needs medical attention. Call your veterinarian if any of these symptoms persist.
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Loss of Appetite
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One possible side effect to a dose of Revolution is change in appetite. If your dog is not a big eater to begin with, you might not notice a lack of appetite has developed. However, Eric Barchas, DVM, says that a decreased desire to eat is a common side effect of many pet medications. Lack of eating eventually leads to a nutritional deficiency and weight loss.
Digestive Upset
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According to Vet Info, less than 1 percent of animals develop digestive upset from Revolution. If your pet does get an upset stomach, diarrhea or vomiting also can occur. When this happens, your pet is at risk of becoming dehydrated.
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Temporary Hair Loss
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Some animals experience temporary alopecia, or hair loss, where the product was applied. This is often a sign of contact dermatitis, according to Pet Education. Sometimes, along with the hair loss, your pet can develop bumps or blisters as a result of Revolution.
Metabolic Reactions
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Since Revolution works by entering your pet's bloodstream through the skin, it can cause your pet to experience an increased heart rate. As the heart rate increases, breathing can become more rapid, indicating a possible reaction, according to Drugs.com. Also, as it moves through your pet's blood stream, it can cause a weakness in the muscles, resulting in tremors.
Drooling
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Revolution is supposed to be applied to the base of your pet's neck. This helps eliminate possible ingestion of the medication. However, some animals find a way to lick the site, ingesting the topical solution. When this occurs, your dog can begin to excessively salivate. According to Drugs.com, drooling can also occur.
Drowsiness
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Another side effect you might notice is drowsiness or lethargic behavior. According to Pet Place, a lethargic pet is often listless, hides from human contact and is reluctant to play. Any of these signs can be an indicator that your pet is reacting to the flea treatment.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit The spitz-dog and cat on a neutral background image by Ulf from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Typo: should have read:"that the medication COULD NOT be..."
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After having my small 8 years old dog put down due to severe epilepsy episodes I have been doing some inquiry with other pet owners who have had similar problems with Revolution. Despite my vet strong denials that the medication could be implicated the evidence strongly refute her opinion. My other dog and three cats recovered but needless to say Revolution will never be used in my household and I will always go out of my way to discourage other from using it on a small animal. Much more unbiased research needs to be done before the product is deemed fit for our small furry friend. My dog died needlessly and I wish I had been warned of the risk involved.
