Certain drugs are known to have acute side effects to the health of the patient. One of the most trusted and used drugs for pets for prevention of fleas and ticks – Promeris -- has been found to cause Pemphigus Foliaceus (PF), an autoimmune disease that affects the skin of the dogs. Wounds are caused to pets’ faces. Nasal canals and ears are also adversely affected by the condition.

The study that has revealed this shocking truth studied and researched around 22 cases of canine before arriving at the conclusions. Following the revelation, Pfizer Animal Health which manufactures the drug has decided to stop its production. The existing supply of the drug will be available till the time the stocks last or until 20^th September 2011.

The drug was initially a product manufactured by the drug company Wyeth/Fort Dodge Animal Health and has been in use since 2007 in Europe and the United States. But now seeing the precariousness of the situation, the company has decided to stop the production of the drug in the market.

Even before the drug was launched in the animal drug market in the States and Europe, there had been reports that revealed the harmful effects of the drug on the canine patients. But due to a lack of thoroughness, such reports had to be overlooked.

This latest study, however, is quite conclusive as it has compiled its study report based on the wounds that appeared on pets which were treated with Promeris. However, those canines which already had previous incidents of skin wounds were not included in the study so as to ensure that there is little room for error.

Statistically the breeds of dogs that get PF through natural circumstances and genetics are the Chow Chows and the Akitas. However, Promeris was found to induce PF in breeds like the Labrador Retrievers as well. The main reason that this study was carried out was to find out about the best way to manage PF induced by Promeris. The analysis was conducted by the North Carolina State University under the lead of Dr. Thierry Olivry. 

With the help of this study it has been brought to light that the usage of the vital drug Promeris for its remaining time needs to be done with extreme care and caution. Right now, there does not seem to be any new replacement drug to fill the empty slot that Promeris will leave on account of its discontinuation.