Watch Out for Topical Flea Products!

[toke]

This is why I cut the Frontline dose way down for my 4 lb Zoey...

More pet owners report injuries from skin products

By MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press Writer Matthew Daly, Associated Press Writer 8 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday as it outlined plans to make the products safer.

The EPA said it will develop stricter testing and evaluation requirements for flea and tick treatments that are applied to a pet's skin. The agency also will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need to say more clearly how to use the products.

The EPA's effort follows increasing complaints from pet owners that the "spot-on" products have triggered reactions in dogs and cats, ranging from skin irritation to neurological problems to deaths. Cats and small dogs appear particularly vulnerable, the EPA said, especially when given products intended for larger animals.
Steve Owens, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, said new restrictions will be placed on flea and tick products, with additional changes for specific products likely — including possible changes in some product formulas.

"These are poisons," Owens said. "These are products designed to kill fleas and ticks — and they do their jobs."
The EPA is committed to better protecting the health and safety of pets and families, Owens said, but added that pet owners "need to carefully read and follow all labeling before exposing your pet to a pesticide."

The agency announced last April it was increasing scrutiny of topical flea and tick products because of the growing number of bad reactions reported.

The EPA said it received 44,263 reports of harmful reactions associated with topical flea and tick products in 2008, up from 28,895 in 2007. Reactions ranged from skin irritations to vomiting to seizures to, in about 600 cases, death of an animal.

An EPA spokesman said he did not have a breakdown of how many deaths were dogs and how many cats.
Dog and cat owners say their pets have suffered burns and welts on their skin; started to drool excessively; begun to shake uncontrollably; lost control of their legs or experienced other neurological problems after using the flea and tick treatments.

A 2009 study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported that the majority of illnesses linked to proper use of topical flea and tick products were mild. Cats were more susceptible than dogs to illnesses and deaths from misuse of the products, the report said.

"The important take-home message is that although adverse reactions can occur with all flea and tick products, most effects are relatively mild and include skin irritation and stomach upset," said Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president for animal health services.

Pet owners should keep using the products as directed when faced with a flea infestation, Hansen said.
Georgia-based Merial Ltd., which makes the popular Frontline tick and flea treatment, defended its product and disputed the EPA data.

"The number of adverse events reported for Frontline has remained consistently low since the product's introduction in 1996," the company said in a statement e-mailed to reporters. The vast majority of reactions are minor, the statement said.

In a 29-page report, the EPA said the majority of problems for dogs occurred in smaller dogs, weighing 10 to 20 pounds. Some incidents occurred when products intended for larger dogs were given to smaller animals, the report said. Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, miniature poodles, Pomeranians and dachshunds were among breeds where problems occurred the most, the EPA said.

Similarly, many problems for cats occurred when they were given treatments intended for dogs. The EPA is likely to require companies to revamp labels to clarify that products intended for dogs should never be used on cats, Owens said.

[Toppers mom]

Topper who is now up to 6 pounds can't take a full dose either. I don't know how much turmoil I put him through before I figured out what was making him scratch like crazy and loose hair. Now that we do the treatment half at a time he doesn't seem to have any problems with it. I think they need to make a doseage for smaller dogs not up to 20 pounds it is a big difference.
Tammy & Topper

[_Chrissy_]

The K9 Advantix I give my pups is for 10 lbs and under.
Max is 7 lbs and Mickey is about 5 now (not sure).

[Patti]

I always hate when I have to put it on mine. I only use it during our summer months and I split the 5 lbs and under Rdvolution between 2 of them. Mine are not outside much anyway.

[OlivesMommy]

Olive seems to be fine with her flea meds (she's had them twice now) but I do think that I'm allergic to it I develop a rash on the back of my hands, but I'm not sure what it's from. Now that it's gotten worse since yesterday (when I put the flea med on her again) I think it may be from that. Oh well, more important for her to be flea free! My hands will stop itching eventually.

[BanditSocks2]

I know some people split the dose. I wonder if I could since it's for a "up to 20 pound" and my guys are 5 and 6 pounds(ish).

[katy-yorkie]

Originally Posted by BanditSocks2

I know some people split the dose. I wonder if I could since it's for a "up to 20 pound" and my guys are 5 and 6 pounds(ish).

I have 4 and 6 pounders and I'm going to start splitting the Frontline. I too wonder how much I have poisoned those precious puppies. When I was using Promeris, Buster would be sick for a few days. It was horrible. On the back of the Frontline it says you can apply every 2-3 months. I'm sure that depends on where you live and if your dog is outside a lot.

[joeys mom]

Before flea season hits hard this year, you might want to check with Frontline's customer service. Their representive came into our vets office while I was purchasing my K9 Advantix. I was having to purchase one for under 10lbs and one for over 10lbs. Mine weighed 11 lbs and one was 5.2 lbs. I was asking about the frontline due to it being for under 20lbs. Another client said she split the dose between her two minature pomerians. He told her that was something she should not do due to it compromising the effectiveness of the product. He also stated the company had more calls that flea season, that the product was not effective against fleas. When questioning the customers, several said they were spliting the dosage. I stayed with the K9 Advantix because of the lower weight dosage. But had to apply every 28 days instead of 30 for it to keep its effectivness. We live in the woods and go weekly to the farm so they are exposed to alot of those pesty creatures!!! Alot could also depend on where you live. Fleas don't really exist is CO. Our guys loved living there, especially the outdoor golden retrievers!!! I saved alot of money living there with 4 dogs and 2 cats...

[Maximo]

Does anyone here not use flea and tick preventatives?

I read this news report and I'm thinking about not using it this year.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Does anyone here not use flea and tick preventatives?

I read this news report and I'm thinking about not using it this year.

I don't wanna risk it. I didn't use anything (heartworm or flea/tick) through the winter months and I JUST started it back up again. Jackson is outside a lot though and in the beginning of summer last year (when on Frontline) he got like 10 ticks in the span of a few weeks... they are just so gross and I'd rather not deal with them. Once I put him on K9 Advantix in July, he's had no ticks to my knowledge and it's been nice not having to deal with it. Plus Jackson already had lymes disease once and I don't wanna go thru that again either.

[Zeus08]

Last year I used Revolution for under 5lbs. I think I am going to stick with that this year even though Zeus is 7lbs.. Fleas are not really in our area. Thanks for to the OP.

[TLC]

I struggle with these products too, I hate them, and really do not want to use them....HOWEVER...Diseases from Tick are WORSE!!!! So the better of the evil is to use a product

I use Frontline Plus. TJ is 7 lbs and Roxy is 5 lbs. ~ I do split the dose on them. We also have our yard treated for ticks.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Does anyone here not use flea and tick preventatives?

I read this news report and I'm thinking about not using it this year.

I don't unless Ellie actually gets fleas (very rare). But she is almost always inside and I'm not concerned about lymes in our area. I absolutely would be doing something if tick-borne illness was a concern.

At our old house, we got the lawn sprayed for bugs instead. It worked well for us.

[Maximo]

Thank you both for your feedback.

Originally Posted by Britster

I don't wanna risk it. I didn't use anything (heartworm or flea/tick) through the winter months and I JUST started it back up again. Jackson is outside a lot though and in the beginning of summer last year (when on Frontline) he got like 10 ticks in the span of a few weeks... they are just so gross and I'd rather not deal with them. Once I put him on K9 Advantix in July, he's had no ticks to my knowledge and it's been nice not having to deal with it. Plus Jackson already had lymes disease once and I don't wanna go thru that again either.

I've been meaning to ask you, are there any permanent or long-term effects from Lyme Disease? I didn't know dogs can be reinfected and go through the same symptoms.

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I don't unless Ellie actually gets fleas (very rare). But she is almost always inside and I'm not concerned about lymes in our area. I absolutely would be doing something if tick-borne illness was a concern.

At our old house, we got the lawn sprayed for bugs instead. It worked well for us.

I do use Interceptor for heartworm and other parasites year round.

My guys don't see much grass other than our lawn which we spray for bugs, although I'm not crazy about the guys being on the lawn treated with chemicals.

I have yet to see a single tick or flea here, so I think I might risk it and hold the Frontline this year. (hope the expensive year's supply I have on hand has a long shelf life in case I want to use it in the future )

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Thank you both for your feedback.

I've been meaning to ask you, are there any permanent or long-term effects from Lyme Disease? I didn't know dogs can be reinfected and go through the same symptoms.

I do use Interceptor for heartworm and other parasites year round.

My guys don't see much grass other than our lawn which we spray for bugs, although I'm not crazy about the guys being on the lawn treated with chemicals.

I have yet to see a single tick or flea here, so I think I might risk it and hold the Frontline this year. (hope the expensive year's supply I have on hand has a long shelf life in case I want to use it in the future )

YES ~ Tick Diseases can be deadly...