Since the introduction of Bayer Animal Health’s Advantage® topical (aka “spot-on”) flea control product for dogs and cats in 1996, the control of fleas has never been the same. Prior to its development pet owners had to combat fleas with a combination of pet shampoos, dips, sprays, powders as well as insecticides to kill flea populations in the house and yard. With the introduction Advantage® that all changed; primarily as a result of the products safety and its efficacy at killing fleas and continuing to do so for 3-4 weeks at a time. Since that time many new spot-on flea control products have been introduced and now there are over 50 varied products for the consumer to choose from. Some of these products are sold over-the-counter and utilize older pesticides in a different or more concentrated form, thus explaining some of the toxicity issues that have been reported by consumers. As well, consumers who purchase them do not always apply them properly or apply adult dog products to puppies or cats resulting in toxicity problems. To help minimize incidents that may be caused by product misuse, EPA is reminding consumers to always carefully read and follow all instructions on the label for these products. As well, before using these products on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products, EPA recommends that a veterinarian be consulted.
Regardless, many of these topicals have been incriminated in pet illness and health problems and due to an increase in the number of reported adverse reactions the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is intensifying its evaluation of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control. Adverse reactions reported range from mild effects such as skin reddening and irritation and mild temporary listlessness to more serious effects such as seizures and, in some cases, death of the pet.
We recommend our clients follow these EPA recommended safety tips with regards to spot-on flea and tick products:
• Consult your veterinarian:
o Before use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products.
o If your pet experiences an adverse effect.
• If you use a spot-on product or any other pesticide on your pet, carefully read and follow the product label.
• Use flea and tick control products only on the animal specified by the product label ─ for example, dog products for dogs only and cat products for cats only.
• Follow any label prohibitions against use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown sensitivity to pesticide products.
• Apply only the amount indicated for the size of the animal being treated.
• Do not apply to kittens or puppies unless the product label specifically allows this treatment. Pay attention to the age restrictions for puppies and kittens on the label.
• Monitor your pet for side effects or signs of sensitivity after applying the product, particularly when using the product on your pet for the first time.
• If your pet experiences an adverse reaction, immediately bathe the pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water.
• Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes). Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. You will want to have the instructions at hand, as well as contact information for the manufacturer.
Pet Care Veterinary Hospital only recommends a limited number of the available topical flea and tick products and chooses items not intended for the over-the-counter market. Our selection is based on those demonstrating many years of the safe application to millions of pets and those that are effective in killing these unwanted parasites.
Our clients should also be aware that we have available two very safe oral pill products for flea control. Capstar® from Novartis Animal Health is approved for use in both dogs and cats and has almost immediate killing action on the fleas. It is very safe but only lasts for 24 hours. We advocates it use in cats with severe flea bite dermatitis on an every other day basis in order to kill new fleas as they hop on the cat from an infested environment. This will help break the flea life cycle within the home and help control fleas long term. For dogs a better approach is to consider Comfortis® from Lily Animal Health as this product is an oral pill that is safe, very effective with fleas dieing within hours of administration and it lasts about a month. Unfortunately it is not approved for use in cats and neither product helps with tick problems. For tick problems in dogs we recommend the Preventic® collars which are very effective in controlling ticks.
Flea and tick products can be appropriate treatments for protecting your pets and your family’s health because fleas and ticks can transmit disease. While many people use the products with no harm to their pets, EPA recommends that pet owners take precautions when using these products. People should carefully follow label directions and monitor their pets for any signs of an adverse reaction after application, particularly when using these products for the first time.
Peter G Fisher, DVM
By learning how to eliminate flea infestations in your dog without using chemicals, you are on the road to having a happier pet, a healthier family and a lighter financial burden. Eliminating fleas is pre-requisite to having a dog in the house, as well as to having a healthy dog.
Advantage Flea for Dogs…
Interesting capstar flea control post….
Maybe you have ever heard about the Environmental protection agency and flea control products? Why can’t everybody adore felines to the extent we all do? It is pretty unsettling everything that some of these products are causing to our cats.