Halfway down this page is an article written by a visitor about six years ago: Suzy. She said that she had a very bad experience with Bob Martin’s spot-on flea treatment because it poisoned her cat. At the time I did a bit of research and decided it was a naturally occurring substance called margosa extract a.k.a. neem oil which was the culprit. It is not listed as a poison by the Pet Poison Helpline in America and apparently it is safe at the proper concentrations. It has wide uses in areas other than as an insecticide for companion animals.
Further, the Pet MD website says that neem oil has not been used as widely for cats as it has for dogs and horses. And they recommend caution particularly as cats are fastidious self-groomers. That advice was provided in 2018. So is quite recent. There are no veterinary health warnings as far as I’m aware.
However, I have unearthed a study called: Apparent adverse reactions to neem (margosa) oil in cats. The report is unavailable to me except for a table which you can see below. The table provides data about the clinical effects from 99 apparent cases of feline adverse reactions to neem oil reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (London).
The top adverse reaction is listed as increased muscle activity in 56 cases. It’s a long list including convulsions, tremor, twitching, ataxia, lethargy and hyper- salivation. These are all nervous system problems. Clearly neem oil can harm the nervous system of domestic cats. I am sure that it is rare but I don’t know how rare.
Notwithstanding the rarity, cat owners should be aware of this potential danger before they make an informed decision. There are alternative products which may be safer. I don’t know.
Below is the article written by Suzy
This was first published on Oct 12, 2016.
I’ve had a very bad experience with a Bob Martin ‘spot on’ treatment. I need advice and also to get this off my chest. I will no doubt post to Bob Martin via Twitter of my bad experience as I see Twitter as the only way these days to get things done, forget lawsuits, it seems naming and shaming via Twitter works better. Or so I’m advised.
I have used Bob Martin ‘spot on’ since Tiger Lily came to live with me and a year on she got fleas, which are currently so bad she scratches a lot of the time 🙁 .
Bob Martin’s containing; margosa extract 3% w/w, ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate 9.8% w/w. Also contains diethylene glycol ethyl ether 86.95%.
This is flea and tick spot on 24 weeks protection with 6 tubes and a chart to record exactly the date you administer each tube, as it must be built up over time.
This box almost poisoned Tiger Lily. I am most upset with myself for being ignorant about this. I had no idea. I assumed stupidly that all these Bob Martin boxes sold were the same ingredients. THEY ARE NOT.
Not only did this not kill the fleas properly as she scratched again a few days after each application but somehow each tube had a bigger and worse affect on her. I am very upset by the experience as I had used only Bob Martin boxes which are easily available and the previous ones worked fine and for a couple of months after just one application unlike this last one.
It’s only now after visiting the amazingly helpful and caring staff at my local Pets at Home store, with their help and the vetenary staff asking the vet on duty which ones I could use. They spent ages with me checking each box for the ingredients. We were all appalled at how the listing for the ingredients is tiny and hidden and near impossible to find quickly on many of the boxes.
And also all the different ingredients on each box and each manufacturer used various concoctions and different ingredients on very similar looking boxes. It’s a mine field. We struggled to find some box with ingredients on! I’m fuming. So we’re the staff there. It’s very wrong of these manufacturers.
Note from Michael about the ingredients with reference to toxicity:
Margosa extract 3% w/w. Margosa is known as Neem. It comes from India and has various purported health benefits but Wikipedia states the following about it:
However, insufficient research has been done to assess the purported benefits of neem. In adults, short-term use of neem is safe, while long-term use may harm the kidneys or liver; in small children, neem oil is toxic and can lead to death. Neem may also cause miscarriages, infertility, and low blood sugar.
Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate 9.8% w/w — Insecticide with “the only demonstrated hazards relate to eye and skin irritation.”
Diethylene glycol ethyl ether – this seems to be a solvent. It appears to be slightly toxic and can cause redness in the eyes. There is little information on this chemical.
My guess is the Margosa is the culprit. But just a guess.
Below are some more articles on flea treatments.
I just want to thank you all for the information you have provided. My cat has had a reaction to wilko spot on treatment which has the same ingredients as bob Martin stuff. I have (and was about to use) the BM design wormer but I will now put it straight in the bin. I am sorry for all the bad stuff you all have experienced but I thank you again for sharing your experiences.
I’ve read recently that Dawn dishsoap can be used to kill fleas. This product is used by rescuers to remove oil from various birds and sea life.
I have to find the instructions, but I believe that for cats, a small amount in warm water would work to bathe cats in. Then let it stay on a few minutes before rinsing off.
I haven’t tried it yet, and don’t look forward to bathing my cat. But I was thinking about applying a solution around her neck, where she can’t lick it, then rinsing.
I’ve heard from several people that using food grade diatomatious earth has worked well. Follow directions, and don’t inhale powder. At little on the cat’s bedding and other favorite spots kills fleas.
Since our weather has turned cold and rainy, my cat doesn’t seem to have fleas. I never want to use any spot on products again, even if recommended by vets. They also recommend Hill’s Prescription foods, and one look at the label will tell you it has the same ingredients of the cheapest pet food, at a much higher price. Most vets don’t know about these things, other than what they’re told by the manufacturers that give them freebies and discounts.
Since I started feeding raw cat food produced by a local company, she’s regained her health and beautiful coat.
Thanks a lot Eva. Very helpful and many thanks.
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether is a solvent in the lacquer, printing, metal and chemical industries. … involving lung oedema, slight liver injury, and extensive kidney damage. … Studies have also shown that inhalation exposure in humans can lead to … In animals, inhalation of higher concentrations can result in testicular cancer, low sperm count, upper respiratory issues and foetal birth defects and severe pain and irritation to the retinas turning them cloudy. sometimes blindness occurs along with neurological disorders. Ingesting these ingredients causes toxic poisoning, seizures, coma and death. Inhalation in humans can lead to renal , liver and kidney failure and upper respiratory damage and severe headaches. In water it is very soluble and poisons drinking water, our water, lakes, rivers etc….
Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate 9.8% is an irritant and prolonged use of this ingredient along with Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether can cause cancer.It is found in butane lighter fluid to mention one of it’s uses !
Margosa I believe is neem oil [ tea tree ] and is toxic to humans and cats. None of these ingredients should be licked and therefore ingested by a cat or dog.Try to stop your pet from licking their fur?!..
Margosa can cause cerebral oedema, irreversible brain damage, and traumatic damage and …..because it contains (neem oil) or permethrin, which is a Poisonous insecticide.
Eva- this is what I found out so far on the subject.
I’ve found a natural product that repels fleas and ticks for cats and dogs. This doesn’t KILL fleas, but PREVENTS them, so once your animal is free of fleas, this is a safe product for continued use.
It’s made from geranium and peppermint plant extracts in an almond oil base. (It is a bit oily)
It’s called Herbal Defense Squeeze-On. It’s from Only Natural Pet online. A 3 months supply of 3 vials only cost $15 US.
This company offers “holistic veterinarian formulated” by Dr. Jean Hofve, foods, treats, supplements and remedies. I received samples of 1 POUND of their dry cat food for only $1.99 free shipping, with a $5 coupon on my next order!
They also have RAW freeze dried cat food.
Take a look at this company; I think it’s one we can believe in.
What a horror story. It must have been so painful for you too. It would have killed me. Thanks for posting and sharing. I hate flea treatments but sometimes – a lot of the time – they are a necessity but they are dangerous. A lot of people apply too much or use dog treatments on cats etc.. These poison cats and kill them. It’s horrible.