Restrictions on Tick and Flea Products

EPA to Tighten Restrictions on Tick and Flea Products

By Kim Chipman, March 17 (Bloomberg) 

"The Obama administration said it will increase restrictions on tick-and-flea “spot-on” pesticides for pets because of a rise in adverse reactions in cats and dogs, including seizures and death.

“These are poisons,” Steve Owens, assistant administrator in the Environmental Protection Agency’s pesticides and toxic substances office, told reporters today on a conference call. “They are products designed to kill fleas and ticks.”

"The EPA will start reviewing product labels to determine which require more information and will develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements, the agency said today in a statement. Names must be different for products to treat cats and dogs to avoid confusion, the agency said.

"Merck & Co.’s Defend, Merial Ltd.’s Frontline and Bayer Healthcare LLC’s Advantage products are among dozens of brand names registered with the government as of May last year, the EPA pesticide office reported."

     We have reprinted a portion of this article because we receive so many questions about this topic, specifically about the safety of flea and tick repelling products that are applied directly to the skin. While the  EPA states that most incidents or deaths result from inappropriate application (e.g., using a larger dose on a smaller animal), we have seen adverse reactions on many dogs even when the products are used according to the manufacturer's directions.

    Please read the full article for further details on this issue.  The fact that the EPA is interested in this issue is of great concern to us.  Consider carefully.  The risks of an infestation of fleas and the resulting diseases they can bring must be carefully weighed against the risks of using strong toxic chemicals to keep them away.  

     One recommendation we have for you is to place a few drops of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) on the outside of your dog's collar. Do not let it touch your dog's skin directly.  It does not take much to be effective. We do not recommend this for cats.

    We wish you the best of good fortune as we move rapidly into flea season. 

Best wishes - Dr Adelia

EPA Alert for Flea and Tick Control Products

Folks,

When we talk about skin allergies in dogs, we recognize that many allergic reactions stem from a flea bite, no matter how careful we are in keeping them away from our dogs.  

However, flea control products have the potential to be quite harmful too.  The EPA has recently issued a special alert for spot-on pesticides (http://dogtravelnetwork.com/dog_travel_news/?p=456).  Please read this report if you use the monthly flea control drops.

A natural alternative to get rid of fleas and discourage them from approaching your pet between baths is to use aromatherapy from organic essential oils.  Our certified organic shampoo bars are wonderful for this purpose.  Plus, they lather very well, rinse very quickly and easily, and are an excellent value.  One bar lasts longer than a 16-oz bottle of shampoo, is easier to use, and is less than half the price.  (Read a Secret Shopper review here.)

Please use caution with any flea and tick treatment that is applied topically.  Check the ingredients and go online to find out how these things really work and what the risks are.  Almost in every case, a natural solution will be much more pleasant and certainly safer.

Health, happiness and dog love...

Dr Adelia