Sammy was exposed to the product Vicks Vapo Steam® over a period of several months.

On December 10 1998, he was taken to our regular vet who gave him a shot of antibiotics (thinking that he might have a infection).

On December 14 1998, he was taken to a different vet (referred by regular vet) and was kept in hospital overnight. The main problem was lack of appetite, weight loss (10 pounds to 8 pounds), and constipation (an enema was used to clear up that problem. Blood tests (a vetchem profile and CBC) were done.

Hyperthyroidism was ruled out by a serum test sent to Lansing, MI.

On December 22 1998, he returned to hospital in serious condition (we thought we were going to have to put him to sleep). He was given fluids (IV) and was force feed by the staff. Lymphoma was then suspected. (The basic feline leukemia test was also negative, and bone marrow swears showed no evidence of neoplastic cells).

On December 29 1998, we brought him home. His condition began to improve slowly (we continued to force feed him with vet supplied canned food) and gave him a vitamin supplement (also supplied by the vet). On January 3 1999, he ATE for the first time by himself.

I had ran out of the Vapo Steam on December 28, so he wasn't exposed to the product for an entire week. On January 5 1999, I purchased the product and was going to use it --- when I realized that over the weeks' time he had been home -- he was getting better.

Sammy is on the mend after his near fatal brush with Vapo Steam, but the lasting effects of exposure to this product may have caused irreversible damage to his body!

Possible lasting problems include: constipation problems and lack of appetite.

If you are using this product and your cat and/or dog is showing the same symptoms, see your vet immediately!

This message is not posted to accuse Procter & Gamble of any wrong doing, but to provide information only.