Revolution is a flea treatment for dogs that has been developed by Zoetis. There have been some reports of dogs becoming ill after being given Revolution. Unfortunately, many dogs die after being given Revolution as well.
“I also am writing this to warn others. My dog was on Revolution for 3 years. She was covered with fleas so I had her on it all year round. She got sick in January, had diarrhea, and wouldn’t eat. After several days of this, I took her to the vet. They did blood work and were concerned about her kidneys and liver. The vet put her on antibiotics, anti-nausea meds, probiotics, and appetite stimulants. The next day she died suddenly at home before I could get her back to the vet. Her blood work showed high levels of toxins in her system which caused liver failure and kidney failure. In my research into possible causes, I discovered that there are many cases like mine regarding Revolution killing dogs from liver and kidney failure! This stuff is deadly!”
“I have used Revolution on my dogs for years with no problems. I have purchased it from my vet and online. This time, I purchased it online from a pet store that shall remain nameless because I don’t want to get sued. Revolution was packaged in plastic and sealed with a foil strip. I put Revolution on my dog, as directed. She was fine for about an hour and then started walking funny and falling down. I took her to the emergency vet who said that she had been poisoned and her red blood cells were dissolving. The cost to save her life was $5200 which I could not afford because I was recently laid off from my job as a nurse due to hospital budget cuts.”
Like any medication, it’s possible. But if your dog is healthy, the risk is very small.
Revolution can cause serious side effects in dogs that are sensitive to it. Allergic reactions can occur and can be life-threatening if not treated immediately by your veterinarian.
If your pet has a history of allergic reactions to flea medications, you should tell your veterinarian before applying Revolution to your dog or cat.
Pets that are sick or debilitated should not receive Revolution until they recover from their illness or condition. There have been reports of death in some sick or debilitated animals receiving Revolution. If you have any concerns about your animal’s health, consult your veterinarian before giving them any medication.
Do not use Revolution in puppies under 6 weeks of age.
What are the side effects of Revolution for dogs?
There aren’t many reported side effects with this medication, but there are a few: skin irritation at the site of application, vomiting and/or diarrhea, lethargy or depression, and drooling. These symptoms generally last between 24 hours and disappear without any medical intervention.
In rare cases, more serious side effects can occur after using this product. These may include seizures, incoordination, tremors, or behavioral changes (aggression, vocalization). If you notice anything unusual after applying this product to your pet, talk to your veterinarian.
Can a dog overdose on Revolution?
Yes, your dog can overdose on Revolution. However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid using it! You just need to be careful with it.
Some pets may experience mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite. There have been rare reports of neurologic dysfunction including seizures, tremors, and ataxia in dogs and cats receiving oral selamectin.
How long does it take for revolution to work on dogs?
Revolution can begin working in one day, but it takes approximately four weeks for 100% effectiveness. Even with one application, Revolution kills 98% of adult fleas within 36 hours.
Revolution reviews from dog owners
The flea and heartworm prevention topical is well-received by most dog owners. Reviewers love how easy it is to administer – just one treatment once a month. Revolution for dogs also treats and prevents several parasites, including ear mites, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. The preventative works quickly and effectively, many reviewers say. Owners say they trust Revolution to protect their pups from harmful parasites. Many experts agree that Revolution is a safe and effective flea preventative.
However, some reviewers report that the medication didn’t work for their dog because the dog continued to scratch or had fleas after treatment. Other pet owners say their dogs experienced side effects like vomiting after taking Revolution for dogs.
“I’ve been using Revolution for my dogs for a couple of years now. I started out with a different brand, but I switched because Revolution had a better price and included heartworm and flea preventative in one dose. At first, I was skeptical since it was so much cheaper than the other product, but it has worked great. This is the easiest way to prevent fleas and heartworms at once. It covers both. I also like that it will kill ear mites and hookworms. My dog has never had an adverse reaction to the medication, though I have noticed that she does eat more grass than normal when she is on it (once a month).”
“I bought the Revolution for my dog, but it seems he is not responding to it. I noticed that there are no ticks or fleas on his body, but he keeps scratching. I do not know if this is a sign that they have died inside his body, or if they are still alive and thriving.”
Hannah Elizabeth is an English animal behavior author, having written for several online publications. With a degree in Animal Behaviour and over a decade of practical animal husbandry experience, Hannah's articles cover everything from pet care to wildlife conservation. When she isn't creating content for blog posts, Hannah enjoys long walks with her Rottweiler cross Senna, reading fantasy novels and breeding aquarium shrimp.
