Our 15 lb mixed breed cat had a very light flea issue. We were given ProMeris for large cats (9 lbs and up, 0.054 fl oz of 18.54% Metaflumizone, lot 10714801 — package right in front of me now). I cut her hair down almost to skin between her shoulder blades and applied the doze as prescribed in the literature that’s in the box with the applicators.

Within five minutes, the cat was observed to be foaming at the mouth, eyes dilated and dashing around our home from one hiding spot to another. She may or may not have vomited — haven’t found proof of that (yet). She was coaxed out of one hiding spot for a few cat treats, and allowed me to examine her. When calmed down, her respiration and heart rates were normal. Eventually, she took a little water.

I called our vet to report the issue. She said that there haven’t been many reactions she’s observed in either cats or dogs. She asked if the cat had licked the substance. Well, it’s between her blades, but I suppose a hind leg could reach it, then get licked. The fur had little of the substance on it, but as with any spot application, the entire dose doesn’t readily absorb into the skin — some will stay.

So did the cat lick a wetted paw? I don’t know. I’ve just bathed the animal (insult to injury for a cat) to rinse any residue. She’s not amused, but she’s alive. I suspect any new product will have some kind of adverse reaction percentage — but our normally docile cat certainly gave everyone a scare. I’ll be reluctant to use this on our dog. That’s a shame. I know meds for any animal can have a percentage that react badly, and perhaps our cat had some minor ingestion. But I can’t be sure that happened and I’m not willing to experience this again.