More Bad News for spot on Flea and Tick Treatments

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

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.

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/367/1/More-Bad-News-for-s...



In December the Center published a report detailing the increased number of illnesses linked to spot on treatments containing pyrethroid insecticides. The EPA has announced it is looking at all spot on treatments and not just products containing pyrethroids.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Lynne,
Thanks for the info.
I looked in the pestigator website. It doesn't say how often you have to spray. Daily?
Do you use it?
I have never had a flea problem in the 30 years we are married. I do, however, seem to always have pups that love to bury their heads and come up with ticks! Do you know how would I use their products to protect Samantha? Will it proctect her from the ticks?
Adrianne

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I just started checking into it. I have never had a flea problem either, except for years ago when I lived in FL. But we do get ticks here. I didn't use the spot-ons last year because we had an issue with the Advantix and I used all natural stuff. So far this year, the natural stuff seems to be working. I have only found a couple of ticks, none embedded. I was going to check out this Pestigator. I'll let you know what I discover.

I get email updates from the FDA and EPA and a few weeks ago I got one on this investigation on these other spot-ons. Some of the stories are really scary. I am afraid to use any of them.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Samantha is due for her monthly spot in the next couple of days for the flea/tick and heartworm. I am going to hold off on the spot but what do you think about the Heartguard?
I HATE ticks!!!!!

[Janie]

This is scarry. Please keep us updated.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Just saw this and shared with our families on our group page. I came across it from a You Tube video, then searched for the written article (dead speakers). That article link as well as a few others are here if you have any interest:
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trinitydoodlestailsfromhome/forum...
We live in Fl, and the fleas have been horrendous this year ~ while they have never been an issue in the past we are in hand to hand combat trying to not allow them to be an issue. One topical spray we have used is Natural Chemistry De Flea ~ it kills instantly (told someone last week that the kids think this is better than salt on a slug), though it needs to be applied often. I have looked at Cedarcide with interest, but I would prefer to speak with actual users rather than read edited testimonies on a web site ya know? Diatomaceous earth has faired well outside ~ but again it seems to need it often. We prefer to use Mule Team Borax inside as it is not as dirty as DE and works similarly. Repetition and diligence seem to be key, but not the 'easy' road for sure. Would LOVE to hear what has worked, not worked and at what point ~ prevention or solved infestation?

P.S. I think the mosquito and the flea may be neck in neck for the Florida State Bird =)

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Forgot to add that though I am sure that you are aware, many of these products are also a great risk to humans - not just long term either. There are many pyrethimin (sp? sorry in a hurry) based products and some now carry a warning against using if you have asthma or have sensitivities to ragweed. I have personally experienced a severe reaction some time back when head lice was traveling through my son's school, he had an asthma attack and I had an allergic reaction ~ it was only after using that we found much information pertaining to this.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

The Wall Street Journal article reporting same.

An increasing number of pet owners are reporting what they believe to be harmful side effects from over-the-counter and prescription flea and tick treatments. The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates topical pet treatments, says the number of reported incidents stemming from so-called spot-on flea and tick treatments -- drops that are applied directly to a pet's skin, usually on the back -- increased 53% to 44,263 in 2008 from the previous year. As a result of the increase, the EPA said last month that it is intensifying an evaluation of spot-on products.

Product manufacturers are required by law to pass along reported incidents to the EPA. In its advisory on the topic, the agency said it is evaluating all spot-on products and posted a list of those it is examining. The list includes products by major manufacturers such as Sumitomo Corp.'s Hartz Mountain Corp., Central Life Sciences, Bayer AG, maker of Advantage, and Merial Ltd., a joint venture between Merck & Co. and Sanofi-Aventis SA, that makes Frontline products. EPA advises consumers who buy treatments from any of these companies to read the label closely and apply the products as instructed.

Incidents reported to EPA range from skin irritation to seizures and sometimes death, the agency says. The reason for the rise in incidents is unclear, the agency says, adding that it is investigating the size of the market relative to the increase in reported incidents. "We are investigating and having discussions to learn more about the problem and will take action when we determine that it is warranted," EPA spokesman Dale Kemery said in an email.

Spot-on treatments generally kill fleas and ticks by affecting their nervous systems, and some products contain chemicals that keep flea eggs from developing. Veterinarians consider them more effective than other treatments, such as shampoos and sprays, and say their use has increased in recent years. "The market has moved dramatically toward spot-ons in the last 10 to 15 years," says Steven Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist and director of the Animal Poison Control Center at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Manufacturers are required to submit safety and efficacy studies of their flea and tick products to the EPA before they go on the market. The EPA says safety standards are the same for brands sold at pet retailers -- such as Hartz and Bio Spot -- as they are for those that are sold at veterinary offices, like Frontline and Advantage.

Consumers who believe their pets have had reactions to spot-on treatments are increasingly questioning the products' safety. "I will never put flea and tick medication ever again on my dog," Ms. Croezen says. She says Saki is doing better, but is still taking medication for her anemia.

As spot-on treatments have grown in popularity in the past decade, online forums like HartzVictims.org and BioSpotVictims.org have popped up for people who say their pets have experienced side effects following the use of flea and tick products. The Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group, has a site called Greenpaws.org that advocates ways to take care of fleas without chemical treatment, such as using flea combs and washing a pet's bedding once a week.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

My Flea Regimine & Journal
6/2/09 Still no fleas. Flea regimine still working No capstar not spot ons . Thinking I should start Program, but nothing has happened so maybe not.
5/3/09 Still no fleas Not using program or capstar. Flea regimine still working.
My Flea regimine still working. I am thinking I might start program soon but no fleas so far.

1/21/09 85 degrees outside. Still no fleas. Not using program or capstar. Flea regimine still working.
My Flea regimine still working 9/20/08

My Flea Regimine Still working 6/19/08

Added apr 21 08
Wash dogs in Dawn detergent
Mix Dawn ½ & ½ Put on DRY dog. Leave on dog 10 minutes. The Dawn removes the greasy skin on the flea which kills it. After 10 minutes rinse dog.
Use conditioner. I like VO5. Slather on. Brush the conditioner in with a slicker brush while wet on dog. Let stay 10 minutes. This helps prevent mats. Rinse dog.

I put nematodes in the lawn in 07. Expensive but seems effective.

It is May 08 100 degrees outside. I have not used anything but garlic & yeast on their food. So far no fleas. I do have the Capstar at hand & ready to go but haven’t needed it so far. Also haven’t used Program. Haven’t needed Dawn.

July 15, 2007 Frontline Plus once a month. Doesn’t seem to be working well lately . the fleas seem to have become immune to it. I alternate it with bio spot or Adams (same stuff) None of them seem to work better or worse.
I now use Program, a once a month pill. This is birth control for the fleas so although they may get on the dogs, they don’t reproduce.
If I have a flea outbreak, I use CapStar. It can be bought without a RX but I forget where. I got it online. It kills the fleas in ½ hour but with the program, which sterilizes the fleas, it seems to last about 5 days & can be repeated with no ill effects. At least no one died yet.
I flea bomb the house & wash all bedding 14 days apart
I sprayed the lawn, then bought nematodes, trememdously expensive. I don’t know what actually works because I’m doing so many things. Apr 21 /08 Apr 21/08 I think the nematodes are working as I haven't had bad flea problems since I put it on the lawn. I think its about 2 years.

I feed minced garlic & Nutritional yeast on the dogs food daily.
I check for fleas on each dog daily. If there is one flea on one dog, they all get a capstar.
Hartz oatmeal flea shampoo also works for a quick fix

Capstar pill immediate kill but only good for 1 day. I actually found it worked for 5 days. Two days less than Frontline, biospot & Adams

Plan Give Capstar to everyone same day bomb house & spray lawn. Spray bed wi natural stuff.

Hi Sues, I'm thinking advantix this year bcs since we haven't had heartwork problem in socal in the past, I haven't been doing heartworm stuff. My vet says that heartworm will only become a problem if they get bitten by a misquito that has bitten a dog wi heartworm. Since we now have so many rescues here from the gulf, this could now become a problem. Advantix seems to be the only one that advertises that it protects against misquitos. So is it? Does it? Also, Frontline doesn't dissapear when you wash the dog. Advantage does. what about advantix? Also, Karma, my white poodle seems to have become immune to frontline. I used biospot last year. But I remember hearing some bad things about biospot but I don't remember what. She is now pregnant and I'm afraid to use anything. I'd love to hear his answers if you get to ask any or all those questions. Puppy love from Joy & furry folk

http://www.fleaaway.com/frequentlyaskedquestions.htm Flea away

It's petshed.com heart guard regular & generic. No rx needed. Frontline cheaper. From Australia. Shipping $6 comes in a week.


Foster Smith Mega tablets.. (think there's garlic in them, too) And if you don't believe they work to repel fleas... there still a great supplement good for skin hair etc (vitamin B's) Good luck Barb!!!

https://www.fleatreat.com/welcome.html


Home
Pet Web Library
The Flea Control Center
OTC & Black Market
Counterfeit Flea Products
1: Why Fleas Are Bad
2: Flea Biology
3: Modes of Treatment
4: Is Resistance Futile?
5: Additional Questions




We learned long ago that insecticide use represents a selection factor in a flea population. The resistant individuals survive and pass their genes on to offspring. Eventually a resistant population is produced. We would like to avoid creating a population of fleas who laugh at our best insecticides and there are two ways of doing this:

The first way to avoid resistance: Change products periodically.

This seems simple and even obvious. If you want to make a resistant population then keep exposing the population to the same insecticide and after enough generations your population will be resistant. If you switch to another insecticide, the group will be totally sensitive to the new insecticide. After a few more generations, change again.

Working against this method is the fact that advertisers encourage people to continue to use a product they like and this is, in fact, what people tend to do. The power of marketing is strong though, technically, it is better in the long run if a household alternates between two flea products each year.

The second way to avoid resistance: Use a flea sterilizer.

A group of fleas that survives exposure to Frontline® or Advantage® cannot pass on their resistance genes if they have been sterilized by a second product. Program® interferes with the production of chitin (the hard material making up the insect exoskeleton). The adult flea has already made its chitin but its off-spring need to develop a chitin egg-tooth to escape their eggs after development into larvae. A larva whose mother has had a big drink of lufenuron-laden blood will not be able to hatch.

Another such sterilizer is Methoprene (the “plus” in FrontlinePlus®). Methoprene was developed as an additive to flea sprays and foggers. It is totally non-toxic (it does not even kill fleas) and represents a group of insect control agents called “insect growth regulators” or “juvenoids.” Methoprene mimics a youth hormone of the flea so that larvae who consume it in flea dirt cannot mature and eggs laid by female fleas who have been topically treated with it cannot develop. Twenty years ago, this compound was a miracle in flea control. It enabled the life cycle to be broken in two places for the first time. Now methoprene is rather “old hat” but it has been included in Frontline to prevent Frontline resistance.

Resistance is an important phenomenon and it should not be ignored. Our clients may inadvertantly be promoting resistance without realizing it.

Listen for this clue:

* At first the product worked really well but now I have to apply it again after 2-3 weeks. It doesn’t last the whole month anymore.

When someone starts to use the product more frequently in this way, they are increasing the selection pressure and creating resistance more rapidly. What they should do in this situation instead, is add a sterilizer or change to another product.

In conclusion, fleas are here to stay one way or the other. Know as much about this pest as you do about the dogs and cats that it feeds upon. You cannot know too much when it comes to flea control.

Last updated: August 31, 2002

Shampoo Away Fleas FAST
with NO Pesticides!!!!!!

BELIEVE it or not!
Home YES! I admit it! I use Dawn dish soap (the non-ultra kind) to kill fleas in my shop. ANY shampoo diluted with a little bit of water and applied to a DRY DOG will kill fleas! Dawn just works FASTER and BETTER because it is a strong degreaser. I started using this technique after a shampoo manufacturer that makes no flea shampoo told me that it would work. He didn't say use Dawn, he said use ANY SHAMPOO, but an older groomer friend of mine said it worked, so I tried it. I had been dipping and was getting concerned having seen poisoning by dips occur in cats and dogs. I wanted to prevent it from happening to ME. So this was the solution for me. I have not dipped or used a pesticide other than Di-Limonene in over 6 years. Now I do not even use Di-Limonene. I don't have to! AND I am NEVER Out of flea shampoo!
OK, hold on..... here is why it works.
Fleas have this ability to survive underwater. I have been told they emit a greasy barrier around their bodies forming a bubble to protect them from water and it holds oxygen in. By dissolving the grease bubble you allow water to get to the flea and they drown. Fleas are also very soft bodied. They DO have an exoskeleton that allows them protection, but soaps dissolve this and then they cannot breathe.
The way to use this product (or any other shampoo you choose) is SIMPLE! Take a bottle (I usually use an old dish soap bottle) and mix 50% water with 50% shampoo. Then, starting with the head of the animal, apply this mixture to the pet in a line that goes down the back of the pet. Then using your sprayer, add JUST enough water to get the shampoo to lather a little bit and spread around the pet. It does not take much shampoo to do this! Add more water and shampoo as needed to apply this solution thoroughly to the dog or cat. Allow it to sit for a minute or two, as many as 5 on heavily infested animals, and then rinse. I use my recirculating washer to rinse with as it also bathes the pet for me using the existing shampoo, which cuts down on water consumption, shampoo usage and time. I simply put fresh water in the tub while the pet is sitting and rinse it using the system after it has sat the required amount of time. This reduces the need for rinsing, washing and then rinsing again. I then rinse and using a soothing shampoo rebathe the dog to ensure that all the soap is removed and the skin is treated to prevent itching. Conditioner can be applied afterward if needed, but rarely if ever do I have to add this after I am finished.
DO NOT WET THE ANIMAL FIRST! If you do, the fleas will react by creating that grease bubble we talked about earlier and you will be fighting a harder to kill flea than if you never give them a chance to do that!
As this technique is highly effective, I never use pesticides in my shop. I do keep Capstar on hand and dogs that are HIGHLY infested get a Capstar when they arrive or as the go into the tub just to be sure all the fleas are dead upon the pets departure from my shop. I also always make sure I notify the owners f their pets condition and what we did to help them with the problem, as well as suggesting they do their part at home.

Advertising this non-pesticide approach to pest control can be of HUGE benefit to you in your salon. By showing that you care enough not to poison the animals and the environment and yet care enough to help eliminate the problem, you gain a market share of the client base that CARES how their pates are treated and wants a safe effective way to treat their animals. You don't have to share the secret of Dawn or the fact that all shampoos will kill fleas if applied to a dry pet, simply say, "We use NO DANGEROUS CHEMICALS to kill fleas." I tell people who want to know how it works, but most don't care as long as it does.
Holly F and Fs mom
Be careful, the Dawn may dry out thier skin
Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:21PM
65.244.105.130

Hi,

We use Dawn at the grooming shop if a dog gets skunked. It is pretty potent.

My fear would be that it could dry out their skin if you use it too often. I'm not sure I would use it more than every 6 - 8 weeks on a Doodle.

Also, make sure the fleas are dead. Something weird happens when fleas get wet - it is like they get paralysed.


Good Luck,
Holly

Foser Smith Mega tablets.. (think there's garlic in them, too) And if you don't believe they work to repel fleas... there still a great supplement good for skin hair etc (vitamin B's) Good luck Barb!!!

www.earth.google.com
Soogee (Sue G.) and Doc
I get my Frontline Plus from Australia...
Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:49PM
67.87.75.15

but you don't need a prescription to order from them. I found them to be the lowest on the internet...vetshoponline.com my heartguard I get from entirelypets.com also the cheapest I've found. I've been using them for years. I would hesitate to use the stores own generic medication. It might be fine....but sometimes the added ingrediants are not the same

Michele & Fur friends
repellant recipe
Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:27AM
72.2.76.112

Full strength essential oils:
Lavender, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Sage, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Sweet Orange, Eucalyptus, Citronella, Pine Needle.

Mix equal parts of all oils (Use colored dark blue or amber glass bottle). I got an amber bottle with an eye-dropper top from the phamisist. Use some this oil mixture to make the spray as follows and store the rest in a cool dark place to make more spray as needed.

In a 4 oz. spray bottle...I add 2 full droppers (between 1/4 to 1/2 tsp) of repellent oil mix and fill the rest of the way with water. Shake WELL before using.
Spray on the dog, yourself, bedding, carpet, ect.
Repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

shanmcd
mozzies!
Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:38PM
71.32.58.78

we had loads of mosquitos where we used to live, here are some things i would do for the lab...

1. peppermint essential oil
2. skin so soft (makes his coat shiny...but maybe not so good for doodles)
2. in a pinch GIN!!!! just splash some on the doos and rub all over...moizzies hate it

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Wow, what about Ticks? I don't have a flea problem at all. Will this work on ticks?

Also, as far as mosquito's, the Castor and Pollux Play Dead Collars seem to work well in keeping them and flies away. I made it all last summer without any spot-ons, I am going to do another one this year. I don't have the details you do.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I also bought natural collars that I put Rose Geranium drops on. They really smell nice and works fro about a week to keep them bug free. Then I put more on the collar.