Tick season was upon us, and my dog was bringing them inside so I picked up Sergeant's Gold Flea and Tick at my grocery store. Normally, I buy the expensive Frontline stuff from my vet. I figured what the heck, it's cheaper and probably works just as well. Big mistake.

Within hours of applying the medication as directed to my 100 lb labradoodle, the poor animal was in agony. Crying, whining, shaking, pacing, unable to sleep or even lie down for more than a few moments. He was obviously in distress, and I assumed it was the tick medication. So I shampooed him with our usual dog shampoo twice (once at 2 in the morning). It didn't help.

In the morning I called the emergency number on the package and was told this was a reaction to the pesticide used in the formulation. I was instructed to bathe the dog 3 times with a grease cutting dishwashing liquid, to disperse the greasy formula of the pesticide. I did as instructed and my dog finally found some relief. In the process of washing the dog late at night, I accidently got some of the residue on my skin, which burned until I too washed with dishwashing liquid. I know what a little of this stuff felt like on my skin - I can only imagine how my dog felt with a full dose.

The company was helpful when I called and they did help me solve the problem. But I won't be buying this product again. You probably shouldn't either.