New incident report
Incident Report Number: 2024-1485
Registrant Reference Number: 2024-US-003531
Registrant Name (Full Legal Name no abbreviations): The Hartz Mountain Corporation
Address: 200 Plaza Drive, Suite 402
City: Secaucus
Prov / State: New Jersey
Country: USA
Postal Code: 07094
Domestic Animal
Country: UNITED STATES
Prov / State: OHIO
PMRA Registration No. PMRA Submission No. EPA Registration No. 2596-125
Product Name: Hartz UltraGuard Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs
Liquid
Yes
Unknown
Site: Animal / Usage sur un animal domestique
No
Animal's Owner
Dog / Chien
Jack Russell Terrier
1
Female
4
10
lbs
Skin
>15 min <=2 hrs / >15 min <=2 h
>30 min <=2 hrs / >30 min <=2 h
System
Persisted until death
No
No
Died
Treatment / Traitement
(eg. description of the frequency and severity of the symptoms
On 14-Feb-2024, a 4 year old, 10 pound, neutered, female, Terrier - Jack Russell dog, in unknown condition, with no known concomitant medical condition, was administered 2 sprays of Hartz UltraGuard Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs (Tetrachlorvinphos) via the topical route by the animal owner. The owner appliedone spray on the dog's back and one on its legs. This was an extra label use due to the low dose applied. This was a first time use and the product was used as prevention against ticks. Approximately 45 minutes post-application, the dog had two seizures (approximately 10 minutes apart) then developed labored breathing. Approximately 75 minutes post-application, the dog died. No veterinary evaluation or treatment had been performed. No further information was received.
Death
Assessment: This product contains tetrachlorvinphos, an organophosphate insecticide, that is considered to have a wide margin of safety in dogs when applied per label directions. The active ingredient is present in low concentration and is poorly absorbed across intact skin. If product residue were ingested only mild GI upset would be expected. The severe signs leading to death are not consistent with the product and use described. The amount applied in this case was also below the recommended dose on the product label. A hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reaction is possible with exposure to any product but seizures are not a typical first sign. Other causes including severe underlying flea bite anemia, unknown toxin exposure, trauma, neurological and metabolic diseases and more should also be considered. Without diagnostics, including necropsy, the cause of death is unknown and the relationship between product use and outcome is inconclusive. The information contained in this report is based on self-reported statements provided to the registrant during telephone interview(s). These self-reported descriptions of an incident have not been independently verified to be factually correct or complete descriptions of the incident. For that reason, information contained in this report does not and cannot form the basis for a determination of whether the reported clinical effects are causally related to exposure to the product identified in the telephone interviews.