Flea and Tick Protection Severe Allergic Reaction

by Julia
(Ohio)

Is it true that Australian Shepherds and Collies have a susceptibility to a severe reaction to some flea and tick protection? My 9 year old female Aussie had a dreadful experience and was partially paralized for three days. She had just received her rabies shot, bortatella and distemper shot. I brought her home, she seemed fine and administered her flea and tick protection Frontline. After about a half hour I noticed she was acting rather odd and lethargic and asked her to go outside with me. She could not get up! Her hind legs were totally useless! I called the vet immediately and she told me to give her some Benadryl and keep a close eye on her and bring her in the next day if she did not show any improvement. My Aussie was an extremely active and fit frisbee and agility dog. We walked 4 miles every day as well. She recovered very slowly over the next three days but I took her in anyway. The vet was very non-committal about what happened. Saying only she had never had a dog react to the immunizations before. My Aussie was still very wobbly when she saw her, and she acted like my dog being unable to walk for three days was no big deal?

Since that time my Aussie has displayed several signs of nuerologic disorders in the form of weakness in her back legs (her hips have been checked out and are very sound) and mysterious fainting after moments of high energy or distress of any kind (a dog playing too rough with her in the dog park or thunderstorms) all new symptoms since her initial incidence. I researched that Aussies and collies have a susceptibility to some flea and tick remedies and they can cause severe allergic reactions and seizures.

Did I damage her by giving her the flea and tick remedy or was it because I gave it too soon after her shots? My dear Aussie went from a healthy active and robust athlete to an old dog over night. Has anyone heard of this before? I LOVE Aussies and will always have one in our family but I do not want to subject my dog to anything like this again! Please help!