More Bad News for spot on Flea and Tick Treatments

The Center for Public Integrity has recently reported the EPA asked manufacturers of spot on flea and tick treatments to provide detailed information of adverse reaction incidents.  ABC News, in a recent story on flea and tick treatments, stated in 2008 more than 44,000 severe reactions and 1,200 deaths were reported.

The ABC News video is difficult to see; the side effects pets have suffered are severe.  The ABC story reports a 50 percent increase from 2007 to 2008 of deaths and severe reactions.  http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Story?id=7702101&page=1

The Center for Public Integrity states “If not for the rash of reports implicating these products in pet illnesses, the EPA would not have requested the more detailed information from manufacturers, said Dale Kemery, an EPA press officer. A team of veterinarians will then study the data in an effort to help the agency reduce the number of illnesses associated with these spot on flea and tick treatments. The EPA will also perform the evaluation faster than originally planned, Kemery said, although he said the agency does not have a timeline for the analysis or a proposed completion date.”  http://www.publicintegrity.org/blog/entry/1395/

With warm weather upon us, flea and tick prevention is a concern.  One natural option to fend off these pests can be found at http://www.pestigator.com/pets/.  This company offers proven natural flea and tick prevention products for your yard and for your pets.  Should you decide to try the products, please note on your order the phrase ‘Animal Lover Jan’.  Jan Ault works in animal rescue in Anderson, Indiana; due to her many recommendations of these products to pet owners, Pestigator.com has agreed to donate product to Jan’s rescue operation for every purchase she recommends.  Your order will also be providing flea and tick control to rescued dogs and cats.

While it is difficult to use on long coated breeds, a flea comb is also a tremendous natural flea treatment tool.  I use a flea comb on all of my pets regularly; so far, so good. 

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com

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Comments (3)

Said this on 5-31-2009 At 09:37 pm
Why any pet owner would put poison on their animals is beyond me. There are too many natural products that work so much better and will not harm pets, children or adults.
Angela
Said this on 5-31-2009 At 10:28 pm
please tell me which treatments work. I really dont want to use the chemicals but cannot afford an infestation either.
Mike S.
Said this on 6-3-2009 At 03:26 am
Frontline and Advantage are pretty much safe. The most common reaction to those are local irritation and itching at the site of application. Sometimes drooling can occur if the pet ingests the product, but it's usually no big deal. The bitterness of the product is what causes the drooling.

This article is mainly talking about products that contain permethrin and/or pyrethrin. I believe Hartz makes flea products with those ingredients. I know that in 2003 there was huge concern with the Hartz spot on flea and tick products. They had caused several deaths.

Natural products are ok, but not always effective. I'll stick with Advantage.
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