Flea & Tick control for pets

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a press statement last week regarding their concern and investigation into “Spot-On flea and tick control treatments”, stating that following an increase of incidence reports in 2008:

“the EPA will begin reviewing labels to determine which
ones need stronger and clearer labeling statements. Next, EPA will
develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both
existing and new products. EPA expects these steps will help prevent
adverse reactions. In dogs and cats that can include skin effects, such
as irritation, redness, or gastrointestinal problems that include
vomiting or diarrhea, or effects to the nervous system, such as
trembling, appearing depressed or seizures—from pet spot-on products.“

The EPA press release does state that those pets are higher risk of adverse reactions are small dogs and that cats exposed to products meant for dogs is a concern. They also state that 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. EPA recommends that owners consult a
veterinarian about the best way to protect their pets from fleas and
ticks or whether pesticides are needed, especially before using any
product on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on
pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide
products. 

Among immediate actions that EPA will pursue are:

· Requiring
manufacturers of spot-on pesticide products to improve labeling, making
instructions clearer to prevent product misuse.

· Requiring more
precise label instructions to ensure proper dosage per pet weight.

· Requiring clear
markings to differentiate between dog and cat products, and disallowing
similar brand names for dog and cat products. Similar names may have led
to misuse.

· Requiring
additional changes for specific products, as needed, based on
product-specific evaluations.

· When new products
are registered, granting only conditional, time-limited registrations
to allow for post-marketing product surveillance. If there are incidents
of concern associated with the product, EPA will take appropriate
regulatory action.

· Restricting the
use of certain inert ingredients that EPA finds may contribute to the
incidents.

· Launching a
consumer information campaign to explain new label directions and to
help users avoid making medication errors.

Sounds like a great time to research natural methods of controlling fleas and ticks on your pets!

dalgal | My Bio & Articles