My Billings Gazette

(April 16, 2009 EPA release) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is evaluating the safety of spot-on pesticide products to control fleas and ticks for pets following a sharp increase in adverse reaction incidents.

In a statement released Thursday, EPA reports that it is intensifying its evaluation of whether further restrictions on the use of these products are necessary to better protect pets. In 2008 alone, more than 44,000 potential adverse reactions were reported to EPA, ranging from skin irritations to seizures and, in some cases, death.

Although incidents with flea and tick products can involve the use of spot-on treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos, the majority of the incidents reported to EPA are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on products. Spot-on products are generally sold in tubes or vials and are applied to one or more localized areas on the body of the pet, such as at the base of the neck, in between the shoulders or in a stripe along the back. This advisory pertains only to EPA-registered spot-on flea and tick products; these products have an EPA registration number on the label.

EPA advises that pet owners take precautions when using these spot-on products. Specifically, the EPA urged pet owners to carefully follow label directions and to monitor their pets for adverse reactions after application, particularly if using a product for the first time.

The agency also suggests that pet owners should consult a veterinarian about how to use flea and tick products responsibly and effectively.

EPA plans to “meet shortly” with spot-on product manufacturers to address the issue. The meeting will be held in conjunction with Health Canada, the Canadian health department, which has identified similar concerns about the use of spot-on flea and tick products.

EPA recommends that veterinarians report any incidents with the National Pesticide Information Center’s Veterinary Pesticide Adverse Effects Reporting website.

For the complete EPA release statement and a list of the products and their manufacturers, see here .

(note that "RF2004(CCSO)" in the list refers to 5 Hartz Mountain products, interesting that the brand is not listed by name, only the chemical).

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What the EPA didn't tell you is that these incident reports have long been reported for over a decade.  And that several agreements with manufacturers of these products in the past to "re-label" the products with graphics depicting application instructions and stronger warnings on the label have done little to reduce the number of incidents related to the products.  What the EPA didn't tell you is that there are safer products available, that are more effective, carry a guarantee if the product fails or causes an adverse reaction (as long as purchased by your vet) and that products sold through your vets do not contain permethrins or their derivatives.

Tips For Pet Owners:

Please choose and buy responsibly, choose safer products sold only by your veterinarian, who can discuss with you the appropriate flea and tick product for your pet's individual needs.

Over-the-counter products easily found at any drugstore, grocery store, pet store or online, are cheap methods that are often ineffective, and potentially deadly as well.  Don't assume that because they are marketed and available on the shelf that they are safe.  The same applies to botanical or "natural" products claimed to treat fleas and ticks in pets.

Do NOT use dog products of any type on cats. (many dog products contain permethrin and it's derivatives, which are toxic to cats).

Do NOT split large doses and give to more than one pet.  This is a sure way to not only predict ineffectiveness at best, and to increase the toxic potential, at worst. 

Veterinarians and pet owners are encouraged to report pesticide poisoning incidents to The National Pesticide Information Center/AVMA's Reporting Website.

More on the issues....