Spot On - Part Three

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Okay, so your pet has fleas and/or ticks. You've read all the articles and looked at the EPA's findings on flea and tick control products. Now what? If these spot-on products are safe, what do we as pet owners need to know?

How can I make sure my pet will not be harmed when I use spot-on flea and tick products?

Pets have varying sensitivities to pesticides. You should closely watch your pet during and after treatment and watch for any signs of an adverse reaction, especially when using these products for the first time.

Pet Poison Helpline experts agreed with the EPA's assessment that when used correctly, the incidence of severe or fatal reactions to spot-on products is very low compared to the number of applications applied by pet owners each year. The data indicated that spot-on products are generally safe when used appropriately and according to the directions.

Should you choose to use these products, there are some tips for using topical flea and tick spot-on pesticides. It goes without saying.....always read and follow the directions on the package carefully. "The key to ensuring pet's safety when using flea and tick products is to be vigilant about following the instructions on the package," said Dr. Lynn Hovda, DVM, DACVIM, director of veterinary services for Pet Poison Helpline. "Knowing the exact size and weight of your pet and not assuming a product can be used for all types of animals is essential for using the correct medication and appropriate dose for your pet."

Tips for safe use of spot-on products:

• Always read the directions on the label.
• Pay attention to any warnings on the label.
• Follow the directions exactly as printed. If product is for use on dogs, do not use on cats. If the label says use weekly, do not use more often. If the product is for the house or yard, do not use on your pet.
  
• Make sure you are using the correct spot-on product for your specific pet and particular pest problem.
• Know the exact size and weight of your pet and use the correct dose amount. Do not guess or estimate.
• Do not use these products on kittens or puppies unless the label specifically allows for such use. For puppies or kittens, use a flea comb or consult your veterinarian .
  
• If you have multiple pets, keep them separated after after application until the product is dry to prevent them from licking each other and ingesting some of the pesticide.
• Consult your veterinarian before using spot-on products on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to flea and tick medications.
• Check the active ingredients. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommends pet owners avoid products that contain organophosphates (such as chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon and malathion). They also recommend pet owners avoid products with carbamates (carbaryl or propoxur).
  
• The HSUS says pet owners may want to consider using products with insect-growth regulators (IGRs), which are not pesticides. These will prevent the next generation of fleas, but will not kill insects already on the pet. Common IGR products include ingredients such as lufenuron, methoprene, pyriproxyfen, and EcoKyl.

What do I do if my pet has an adverse reaction to a spot-on flea and tick product?

Treatment with a fast-acting topical flea and tick medication can cause itching or brief irritation at the application site as the product does its job and kills pests. This can cause the pet to fidget and scratch. This should be short-lived and leave no redness or irritation on the skin. Carefully monitor your pet for any other reactions.

• If your pet shows any unusual reaction soon after application, immediately remove any remaining product from the pet by bathing them in mild soap (Dawn dish detergent is great for this) and rinsing with large amounts of water....unless the product specifically states not to do so.
  
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows symptoms of illness after application. Symptoms of poisoning include poor appetite, depression, trembling, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea or excessive salivation.
• If your pet needs immediate medical care, call your veterinarian or local animal emergency clinic. Pet owners can also contact the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.
• The Pet Poison Helpline is available at 1-800-213-6680. They charge a fee of $35 per incident which includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case.
  

Who should I contact to report a reaction? There are several routes you can take.

• Contact the registrant (manufacturer). Pesticide manufacturers are required by law to report incident information to the EPA. Contact information can be found on the product label. Clearly identify the name of the product used, the EPA registration number, the type and breed of animal affected, the symptoms observed in the pet, and any other details pertaining to the incident.
  
• Contact the EPA directly. Contact information can be found on their website.
• Contact your veterinarian. Veterinarians have access to a reporting mechanism called the Veterinary Pesticide Adverse Effects Reporting portal to report incidents.
  

How can I get information regarding a specific pesticide?

The product label contains most of the information you need to know to use the product safely.
To view product labels, see: http://oaspub.epa.gov/pestlabl/ppls.home.

The EPA registration number has two parts. Enter the first part in the first block and the second part in the second block. If the number has three parts, ignore the last part.

For information about pesticide toxicity, contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) which provides objective, science-based information about a variety of pesticide related subjects. NPIC also lists state pesticide regulatory agencies, and provides links to their websites. NPIC can be contacted at 1-800-858-7378.

Next time we will look at natural alternatives to chemical pesticides for flea and tick control.

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Spot On - Part Two

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Previously, we looked at the problems some people are having with spot-on flea and tick products. Now let's take a look at the EPA's findings, their recommendations, and the steps they are taking.

In response to an apparent increase in reports about dangerous side effects of spot-on flea and tick product, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the pesticides used in these medications. The products in question are generally sold in tubes or vials and applied locally to the pet's skin.

While the EPA said these products are useful to protect people and their pets from fleas and ticks, they now recommend precaution. People should watch their pets closely for any adverse reactions.

The EPA is also looking to see if certain chemicals in these products have a higher rate of side effects. Dr. Charles T. Gaskin, a Washington State University professor, studied the complains received by the EPA and stated that the chemical Cyphenothrin accounted for 43% of the reported reactions. Two other chemicals combined - Imidacloprid and Fipronil - accounted for 30% of negative reactions. All active ingredients are being examined, as well as the inert (inactive) ingredients that are not identified on the labels. They are also studying possible misuse of the products by pet owners.

The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center also examined its data from pet owners' calls about these products. They found two key things about the use - or misuse - of topical flea and tick chemicals.

According to their findings, when dogs and cats were treated according to the directions, the likelihood of severe adverse reactions was significantly less: 7% no illness despite call, 69% mild illness, 22% moderate illness, 2% major illness, and .1% death.

They stated that when pet owners did not follow the directions properly, the animals were significantly more likely to have a severe reaction: 18% no illness despite call, 17% mild illness, 45% moderate illness, 2% major illness, and 2% death.

Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA veterinary toxicologist and Senior Vice President Animal Health Services, says "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. Pet parents should not discontinue using products as directed by the product label when faced with a flea infestation."

EPA officials have indicated that misuse of the products - such as treating cats with products made for dogs - was behind many adverse reactions. Pet owners, however, are insisting they used the flea and tick products exactly as instructed, or used less than the recommended dose.

Dale Kemery, a spokesman for the EPA, states that "while we do recommend that pet owners consult their veterinarian if they have questions or concerns about the use of flea and tick products, there is no reason to believe that products purchased from reliable sources are counterfeit or substandard, or that pet owners are not capable of following product label directions." Kemery said consumer error doesn't explain everything. "There are issues that go beyond the misuse of the products. We cannot attribute a particular proportion of incidents to inappropriate use versus other issues. Clarity of label instructions and the weight bands for doses are key issues that need to be addressed."

On March 17, 2010, the EPA met with representatives of the companies that market these products and Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Authority (PMRA) to discuss their analysis of the incident reports, the Agency's conclusions, and an action plan needed to minimize adverse effects to pets. Canada has had similar concerns. They have very similar products registered, and some from the same companies as those sold in the U.S. The USDA is also working with the FDA since they regulate some similar products, and the USDA wanted to learn about their processes and its experience of incidence with animal drugs.

Their findings were that most incidents were minor, but unfortunately there were some severe reactions and some pet deaths. Small breed dogs were affected more than large breeds, and cats were equally affected. The amount of a single dose needed to vary more for small to large dogs to prevent overdosing. Label warnings against the use of dog products on other animals, especially cats, are not working well enough and need to be evaluated. The Agency also found that the data now required to determine the safety of these products for pets does not accurately predict the toxicity seen in the incidents reported. They determined that mitigation is necessary to prevent adverse effects to pets.

Based on the results of their analysis, the EPA presented a regulatory action plan to help prevent future incidents. Some of their recommendations are:

• Narrowing the weight ranges for some products to reduce the likelihood of overdosing (more catagories for weight ranges).
• Changing the names on the products so that dog and cat products are more easily distinguished from one another.
• Make labels more understandable (larger fonts, pictograms).
• Providing more information on inert (inactive) ingredients and prohibiting alternative formulas.
• Requiring a standard reporting procedure for adverse reactions.
• Requiring a range of animal types to be used for safety testing to account for variations in breed sensitivities, ages, and body sizes.
• Conduct pre-market clinical trials.
• Conditional registration for new products, meaning that future registrations for topical products will be restricted by appropriate conditions and time limitations to allow the EPA to monitor the safety of these products after they hit the market.
• Post-market surveillance reporting on incidents.

Most manufacturers would not comment on anything because of several on-going class-action suits. They did, however, express support for changes being proposed by the EPA to address the safety of topical products as a whole.

Dr. Michael Dryden, a professor of veterinary parasitology at Kansas State University, applauded the EPA's proposals. "I would say, it's about time," said Dryden, whose expertise in the field has earned him the nickname Dr. Flea. "Virtually everything they talked about will make things better.'

Dryden added that despite the problems identified by the EPA, modern topical flea and tick products are far safer and more effective than parasite control of 20 years ago. "Animals used to die all the time from insecticide application. We are exposing ourselves, too, to these insecticides and these dips and these foggers. We are so much better off today than we were then."

So, with all this information about the products, their uses, and their possible risks, how can I make sure my pet will not be harmed when I use a spot-on flea and tick products?

I will post another entry shortly to address the correct usage, precautions, and signs of problems. I will also list actions to take and who to contact in the event of an adverse reaction.

For further reading and more in-depth information on the EPA's study, go to their site at:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/petproductseval.html

The EPA's Protecting Pets website:

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/pets.htm

Enhanced reporting of the investigation, the chemicals used, and the companies and individual products that were analyzed:

http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480abc643

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Spot On - Part One

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I have to admit that I am having trouble with this blog entry. Why? Because the staggering amount of information on all sides of this issue is overwhelming, and I'm not even sure where to start.

I guess I'll start at what prompted this entry to begin with, and then break the subject down into several manageable entries.

Just this past week a friend of mine told me that her sister had used a particular spot-on flea treatment on her dogs, and they became very sick. My friend asked me if I was familiar with these side-effects, which I was not. I personally do not use chemical flea treatments on my pups and don't have much experience with them. Her email compelled me to start doing some research on the subject, and what I found blew me away.

The products I am talking about are the spot-on flea treatments for dogs and cats (ie: Frontline, Hartz, ProMeris, Zodiac, Sergeant's Sentry Pro, BioSpot, K9 Advantix, and many others). These are topical flea treatments that are applied between the shoulder blades or down the back of the pet, depending on the individual product's instructions.

I found site after site of people posting stories of horrible side-effects, even deaths, from using these treatments on their pets. ConsumerAffairs.com has heard scores of stories from pet owners across the country who say their dogs and cats started to shake and tremble uncontrollably, drool excessively, vomit, have seizures, suffer burns and welts on their skin, whimper in pain, lose control of their legs, and experience other neurological problems after using these products. Most reactions began almost immediately after application of the product, so there is little doubt as to the cause.

First, let's take a look at exactly what these products are and the chemicals they contain.

There are approximately 70 products registered with the EPA as "spot-on", for direct application to dogs or cats to control fleas or ticks. These products have an EPA Registration Number on the label.

Pesticide products used on pets contain active ingredients that aid in flea and tick prevention. Spot-ons are generally packaged in tubes or vials, and are applied to one of more localized areas on the body of the pet. Spot-ons used on dogs and cats contain active ingredients (pesticides) that kill fleas and/or ticks. Their active ingredients are chemicals such as amitraz, cyphenothrin, dinotefuron, etofenprox, fipronil, imidicloprid, metaflumizone, permethrin, pyriproxfen, or S-methoprene. These products can be purchased from retail outlets, veterinary clinics, or over the internet.

Let there be no misunderstanding here. All the chemicals listed above are chemical pesticides. They are poisons designed to kill fleas and ticks. All of them are toxic at some level and have the potential for side-effects. They are regulated by the EPA, a few by the FDA.

That being said, I'm sure you know many people who use these products on their pets and have no problems. Most pets do not seem to have any obvious reactions, though effects from their long-term usage are relatively unknown.

How common are these side-effects? 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 1200 cases, death of an animal. Small dogs and cats seemed to be the most affected. I could not locate EPA statistics for 2009. A 2009 study by the ASPCA reported the majority of illnesses linked to proper use of topical flea and tick products were mild, with cats being more susceptible than dogs to illnesses and deaths from misuse of the products.

Dr. Steven Hansen from the ASPCA says "We don't have very many cases of true neurological issues when these products are properly used." He states that pet owners often use the products incorrectly, misread the directions, and/or overreact to how their pets respond.

When the companies that make these products were contacted, many did not respond. One of the worst offenders (and the one my friend's sister had issues with) is Sergeants, and their Sentry line of spot-on products. They had no response. Hartz did respond and said they welcomed the EPA's suggestions and want to ensure that their products are as safe as possible. The product that seemed to have the least number of problems is Frontline.

From the various consumer sites I visited, it seems the standard response when someone calls their helpline to report a reaction to the drug and to find out what to do, the blame is most often put on the consumer for applying too much product, or using the wrong product on the wrong animal (dog meds on cats, etc). They often insist that the person had to apply it wrong in order for there to be a problem.

I'm sure in some cases that is true, but certainly not in all. I find it very frustrating that many of these companies seem to think consumers cannot read and follow directions, and take little or no responsibility for the results.

Should we stop treating for fleas entirely? No! An infestation of fleas can pose serious health problems for animals - anemia, tape worms, and other health issues. There have been cases of puppies and cats that needed blood transfusions, or even died, from severe flea infestations.

I will stop here for now simply because I have enough material to write a small novel, and I don't think any of us really want me to do that. I will post another entry in a few days that covers the EPA findings and their recommendations, how to safely use these products, and what to do if your pet has a reaction. After that, I will follow up with a post on natural alternatives to flea and tick chemicals.

Until then, stay safe!

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