Just in from the EPA:
(Washington, DC - April 16, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is intensifying its evaluation of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for pets due to recent increases in the number of reported incidents. Adverse reactions reported range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and, in some cases, the death of pets.
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. Pet owners may also want to consult a veterinarian about the responsible and effective use of flea and tick products.
The press release goes on to say that "Incidents with flea and tick products can involve the use of spot-on treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos. However, the majority of the incidents reported to EPA are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on products." This is particularly timely in that in the Western hemisphere at least, we are entering flea season again. (I just posted a blog about fleas a couple of days ago.) Since fleas are not only annoying, but are hosts for disease, it is important to keep our homes and our pets flea-free. Therefore, it is somewhat alarming to find "spot-on" flea products previously considered safe, to be under the gun
An associated EPA document offers more specific information:
Adverse reactions reported from the spot-on products range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and in some cases death. Over 44,000 potential incidents associated with registered spot-on products were reported to EPA in 2008. Pesticide registrants are required by law to submit information to EPA on adverse effects resulting from the use of any registered pesticide. The seven products in the table below represent about 80% of that total.
This document goes on to list several disclaimers, including the fact that the information known this far "does not reflect potential misuse of the products," e.g. "off-label use," such as using flea products formulated for dogs on cats. Other potential misuse could be ignoring the label warnings to avoid use on young kittens, or sick or older cats.
Of the seven spot-on products under scrutiny, one product, Frontline Top Spot for Cats, has appeared for some time on my list of Flea Control Products for Cat. I have temporarily removed that product from the list. I will be following the EPA investigation and will return it to the list if, and when it has been cleared by the EPA.
The EPA also offers Safety Tips for Pet owners in the use of flea products.
Related Reading:
Learn to Read Flea Control Product Labels
Topical Flea And Tick Products Under EPA Watch (Vet Medicine Guide)
EPA to Boost Analysis of Flea and Tick Pet Products (Dogs Guide)
Comments
Oh, this is GOOD to read!