The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced today that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is intensifying its evaluation and closely monitoring the use of topical flea and tick products on pets. The flea and tick killers under the most intense scrutiny are commonly known as "spot-on" treatments, but all flea and tick products are of interest. This announcement is in response to the more than "44,000 potential adverse reactions to spot-on flea and tick products reported in 2008."Read full report by the EPA: Increased Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Control Products for Pets
If you have questions about a flea or tick product or suspect that your pet has had an adverse reaction, please contact your veterinarian immediately. It is always important to read directions carefully and to only use products determined to be safe for the species (dog or cat) you are treating. In particular, cats are very susceptible to poisoning from certain pesticide products.
If an adverse reaction to a flea product (or any drug) is suspected, please see the "Reporting adverse events" information from the AVMA.
Related Reading:
- FDA - Protecting Pets
Additional pet and pesticide information from the FDA - EPA to Increase Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Pet Products
From Franny Syufy, Guide to Cats - EPA to Boost Analysis of Flea and Tick Pet Products
From Jenna Stregowski, Guide to Dogs -
Flea life cycle and control
Flea-fighting resources on the Veterinary Medicine site
Photo: Electron micrograph of a flea © Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Comments
The article is misleading. The EPA has not placed the entire industry under scrutiny, just four manufacturers, and their seven products, which combined account for 80% of the 44,000 Adverse Reactions reported to the EPA during 2008. All of the other manufacturers and their products only account for 8,800 reported reactions. That’s a big difference.
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/flea-tick-control.html
Thank you for your comment. While it is true that the EPA states that the seven products listed in the table (on their page) represent about 80% of the 44,000 total, they do not state that the are monitoring only those 7 products.
I have contacted the AVMA and the EPA for clarification.
Kimberly Anne May, DVM, MS, DACVS from the AVMA replied with the following:
“The products mentioned in the statement altogether account for about 80% of the reported adverse events, so there are obviously others that had much lower reported problems and weren’t included on the chart. They’re looking at all of them, though, to see if further regulation is necessary.“
It important to note that the EPA have always been monitoring these products because manufacturers are required to report adverse events. From the EPA site:
“Pesticide registrants are required by law to submit information to EPA on adverse effects resulting from the use of any registered pesticide” and that the “EPA is carefully evaluating all available data, including incident data, to help identify and if necessary, take prompt regulatory action to address risks.”
This announcement is to further awareness, beyond the required manufacturers, for pet owners and vets.
I also heard back from Dale Kemery, spokesperson for the EPA who replied:
“We are evaluating incidents associated with all spot-on products to identify products that may need further regulatory action.“
He said that all flea and tick products containing pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the focus of the EPA monitoring.
Please note: EPA spokesperson Dale Kemery and Kimberly Anne May, DVM, MS, DACVS from the AVMA have granted me permission to post their comments here to help clarify this recent news release.
I became very suspcious of these treatments after my cat developed and subsequently died of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). I read that there has been an increase in IBD over the last decade. I wondered about the correlation of these systemic treatments and IBD. How can a pesticide that is absorbed by the body possibly be safe? I sure wish I had taken the time to think this through before subjecting my beloved cat to what may have possibly caused his demise. Please continue to report on this.
So, for someone who is about to take their two dogs and cat to the vet for annual checkups, flea and tick medication, and immunizations, what is the safest tick preventative to use? We know it’s going to be a bad tick season where we live in New England because we have already found 2 ticks on the animals.
Michele,
Please look at this site: http://www.arbicoorganics.com
They have natural products for cats and dogs.
I have also used Sergeants Nature’s Guardian flea and tick spray for my cats with good results. Some of the cats I care for live outside, so I try to cover all of them.
This product contains the following:
Peppermint Oil
Cinnamon Oil
Lemon Grass Oil
Clove Oil
Thyme Oil
and some Isopropyl alcolohol.
You can use it safely and it smells good.
My pest control company, Lamb Exterminating, uses ONLY natural products around the exterior of our home. Wintergreen and Clove are the main ingredients. We live beside the woods so have many little creatures around, but the natural products work superbly, are not harmful to humans, animals or the environment, and they have a lovely scent of herbs and spices.
I agree with you this looks as though it may be a bad tick and flea year. We live in Soutern Virginia and I have seen problems already. ARBICO ORGANICS may cost a little more, however the products your veterinarian may try to sell are less safe and likely more expensive.
Try these excellent products. The company also has an excellent BioCare Flea Trap – it’s safe, highly effective and non-toxic.
The product contains a little pad, a low light, and its infrared rays catch everything. The product is manufactured by SpringStar Inc., Woodinville, WA. 1.800.769.1043, if you wish to order it directly from them.
It is the best flea device I have yet seen. I have four indoor cats and I look after three (spayed) outdoor cats.
Best wishes,
Nuala Galbari
Michele,
Incidentally, I have been using Arbico products for years.
I have one 16-year old cat (very healthy) and one 18 1/2 year old Siamese Snowshoe, who is still full of energy and plays the piano. All my cats are strong and healthy, have regular shots and veterinary checks, and are fed a combination of natural raw food, and some dry kibble and tinned food. Variety is the key.
My 16 and 18 1/2 year old cats are also given Arbico’s Immune System Defense capsules once per day, and they like a little Gerber Baby Food (Chicken, Beef or Turkey only) about twice per week. Don’t use the Gerber ‘Ham’ — it has too much sodium. It’s also a good idea to change food brands often, and offer raw/natural foods to cats and dogs. Ideally, any dry foods should have meat or fish as the main ingredients, not grains. Check labels. Try to buy natural brands as much as possible.
Wishing you a happy, safe summer and healthy animals!
Best wishes,
Nuala