SPRING IS COMING! - Danger and a Warning!!! - Let the Debate Begin, Again

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Read this article from http://www.alternet.org/ about pyrethroids, permethrin and deltamethrin, flea and tick products and their dangers to our pets:

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/123420/pesticides_in_pet_pro...

Last Spring, Ginger had a reaction problem with Advanix and I have read some people had reactions to Frontline. There were even huge discussions here on DK about Frontline not working, last year.

So, what should we do about the fleas and ticks of Spring?

Here in NJ, I never have a problem with fleas but the ticks are awful. I have used Citronella Spray and Castor & Pollux's Play Dead Collars. They smell great and keep flies and mosquitos away, but the ticks laugh at the smell.

What is everyone's recommendations for tick control?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Not covering ticks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack had to be put on Revolution last fall for an unrelated matter. (It is sometimes used for severe skin problems.)When I saw that it's supposed to work for parasites and heartworm, I asked why I shouldn't just use that for both instead of using the Frontline Plus AND the Heartgard. My vet said that the Revolution doesn't work so well against any of the things it's supposed to protect against. So we're staying with the Frontline & Heartgard.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

The tick has to be embedded for awhile to transfer disease. The Frontline doesn't repel, it kills once it bites. There are natural repellants. I like the Play Dead Collars by Castor and Pollux. they smell nice too. But you have to replace them fairly often. Citronella spay also works to some extent. The scary part is that if you dog has used Frontline and picks up a tick and brings it into the house and it falls off, it CAN bite you. So repelling is just as important as the Frontline in stopping Lyme Disease. Not o him but on you.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

EPA Report: Increased Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Control Products for Pets

Due to a recent sharp increase in the number of incidents being reported from the use of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for pets, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is intensifying its evaluation of whether further restrictions on the use of these products are necessary to better protect pets.

Incidents with flea and tick products can involve the use of spot-on treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos. However, the majority of the potential incidents reported to EPA are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on products. Spot-on products are generally sold in tubes or vials and are applied to one or more localized areas on the body of the pet, such as in between the shoulders or in a stripe along the back.

EPA-registered spot-on, topically applied flea and tick products have an EPA Registration Number on the label (look for EPA Reg. No. XXX-XX).
Incident report summary

Adverse reactions reported from the spot-on products range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and in some cases death. Over 44,000 potential incidents associated with registered spot-on products were reported to EPA in 2008. Pesticide registrants are required by law to submit information to EPA on adverse effects resulting from the use of any registered pesticide. The seven products in the table below represent about 80% of that total. MORE...

Promeris, Frontline, Seargents, Bio Spot and others are being looked at because of a rise in incidents in US and Canada.

[Mommy2Max]

scary!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

EPA to investigate Pet Flea and Tick Treatments

Environmental Protection Agency is reporting they will increase evaluation of spot-on flea and tick control products for pets.



“Incidents with flea and tick products can involve the use of spot-on treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos. However, the majority of the potential incidents reported to EPA are related to flea and tick treatments with EPA-registered spot-on products. Spot-on products are generally sold in tubes or vials and are applied to one or more localized areas on the body of the pet, such as in between the shoulders or in a stripe along the back.”



“Adverse reactions reported from the spot-on products range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and in some cases death. Over 44,000 potential incidents associated with registered spot-on products were reported to EPA in 2008. Pesticide registrants are required by law to submit information to EPA on adverse effects resulting from the use of any registered pesticide.”



According to the EPA the following pet flea treatment products represent about 80% of the reported adverse reactions.

Promeris Spot On for Dogs
Promeris for Dogs

Frontline Plus for Dogs

Frontline Plus for Cats

RF2004(CCSO)
Zodiac Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Cats 5 lbs and over
Zodiac Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Cats & Kittens Under 5 lbs
Farnam Companies Inc. Bio Spot, Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Cats & Kittens Under 5lbs
Farnam Companies Inc. Adams Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Cats 5lbs & Over
Farnam Companies Inc. Bio Spot, Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Cats 5lbs & Over
The Hartz Mountain Group Hartz Ultraguard Plus Drops for Cats
The Hartz Mountain Group Hartz Incontrol Flea & Tick Drops for Cats
The Hartz Mountain Group Hartz Ultraguard Pro Flea & Tick Drops for Cats
The Hartz Mountain Group Hartz Incontrol Advanced Flea & Tick Control for Cats 5lbs & Over
The Hartz Mountain Group Hartz Incontrol Advanced Flea & Tick Control for Cats

RF9908 Spot On
Zodiac Groomers’ Spot On Pack
Zodiac Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Small Dogs 16–30 lbs
Zodiac Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Medium Dogs 31-60 lbs
Zodiac Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Large Dogs Over 60 lbs
Zodiac Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Puppies, Toys & Miniatures under 15 lbs
Farnam Companies Inc. Bio Spot Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Dogs
Farnam Companies Inc. Companies Inc. Bio Spot Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Dogs (16 to 30 lbs)
Farnam Companies Inc. Companies Inc. Bio Spot Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Dogs (31 to 60 lbs)
Farnam Companies Inc. Companies Inc. Bio Spot Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Dogs (over 60 lbs)
Farnam Companies Inc. Adams Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Small Dogs 16-30 lbs.
Farnam Companies Inc. Adams Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Medium Dogs 31-60 lbs.
Farnam Companies Inc. Adams Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Large Dogs Over 60 lbs.
Farnam Companies Inc. Adams Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Puppies, Toys, & Miniatures Under 15 lbs
Farnam Companies Inc. Bio Spot Spot on Flea & Tick Control for Puppies Under 15 lbs

Sergeant’s Cyphenothrin Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sergeant’s Silver Flea and Tick Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sentry XFC Flea and Tick Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sentry XFC Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sergeant’s Silver Squeeze-on for Dogs

Sergeant’s Cyphenothrin + IGR Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sergeant’s Gold Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sergeant’s Gold Flea and Tick Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sentrypro XFC Flea and Tick Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sentrypro XFC Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sentrypro XFC Flea and Tick Squeeze-on for Dogs Extreme Flea Control
Tradewinds Triforce Canine Squeeze-On
Tradewinds Triforce Canine Squeeze-On for Dogs 9 lbs to 20 lbs.
Tradewinds Triforce Canine Squeeze-On for Dogs 21 lbs to 39 lbs.
Tradewinds Triforce Canine Squeeze-On for Dogs 40 lbs to 60 lbs
Tradewinds Triforce Canine Squeeze-On for Dogs 60 lbs. or larger.



For further information visit: EPA Article

Truth About Pet Food Article

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

US EPA Announcement Counterfeit Pesticide Products for Dogs and Cats

[Sharon & Monty]

We have brown ticks, deer ticks and fleas in this area. I've had dogs years ago, no medications to be found except for tick collars which as we know arent a good thing. I have been thru many flea infestations in years gone by.......UGH! The fleas loved me more than the dog. On the other hand the ticks loved my husband more than the dog!! One time while at the vet discussing the new topical meds were coming out for ticks and fleas,my husband requested that he be allowed a prescription because he was always infested with ticks. The vet laughed and said that any of the prescriptions for dogs would probably allow for a chance of cancer if given to a human. However he said he felt it safe for dogs because their life expectancy is so much less than a human............... and so, i reluctantly give my dog medications for ticks and fleas and other vermon... :(

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I can sympathize with you Sharon. I actually stopped using all spot ons and have been using a product called Cedarcide for 2 years now. I live in a high tick area and have a quarter the ticks I used to. Spot-ons do not repel, they only kill after it bites. They can still fall off and bite you or your family. Cedarcide repels all sorts of biting and crawling insects and is all natural and can even be used on you. Cedarcide.com is where I get it. It's a little oily so I spray it on a fabric bandanna or collar. Works great and like I said, I have been off the spot-ons for 2 years. Good Luck.

[Marcy and Cocoa]

Hello - 

 

Does anyone know anything about a new product called Simple Guard?  It is meant to be a replacement for Frontline with the advantage of repelling fleas/ticks in addition to killing them if they bite.  I read somewhere online that it is just an alternate name for Vectra - a product used by some vets in my area (NJ) as an alternative to Frontline.  Any info?  Thanks.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I have not heard about that product, Marcy and this is a very old discussion from 2009. Since I started it two years ago, I began using Cedarcide Best Yet (cedarcide.com) and Diatomaceous Earth (earthworkshealth.com) and I have not had any problems with fleas or ticks. I have not used any spot ons since 2009 and I have 6 dogs and many, many rescue fosters come through my home. I never plan on going back to any of them. BTW, I am also in NJ and used to have a huge tick problem. I have only found 1 so far this year.