EPA - flea & tick meds

[bruinsBoxers]

Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:33 am (PDT)

http://www.epa. gov/pesticides/ health/flea- tick-control. html

Increased Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Control Products for Pets

Resources

* <http://yosemite. epa.gov/opa/ admpress. nsf/eeffe922a687 433c85257359003f 5340/cb98fe802d1 162a78525759a006 86ef0!OpenDocument> Advisory: Increased Scrutiny of Flea and Tick Control Products for Pets
* <http://www.epa. gov/pesticides/ factsheets/ flea-tick. htm> Taking care of fleas and ticks on your pet

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.

In reviewing the list of seven products, please note the following:

* This information is subject to revision as new information becomes available;
* This information does not account for the market share of these products;
* This information does not reflect the severity of incidents;
* This information does not reflect potential misuse of the products; and
* If incidents are not reported by pet owners or registrants, this may affect the potential accuracy of this list.

In addition, a cause and effect relationship between these products and any individual adverse reaction or incident has not been confirmed. EPA is carefully evaluating all available data, including incident data, to help identify and if necessary, take prompt regulatory action to address risks. By collecting, compiling, and reviewing the incident data, EPA is able to make better decisions to reduce risks and target other regulatory activities.

For some of these products, the same product is distributed by another company under an agreement with the primary registrant. EPA requires that the label for the distributor product be identical to that of the primary product (in terms of uses of the product, precautions, etc..). Distributor products can be identified by having a three-part EPA registration number instead of a two-part number.

EPA Registration Number

Product Names

80490-2

Promeris Spot On for Dogs
Promeris for Dogs

65331-5

Frontline Plus for Dogs

65331-4

Frontline Plus for Cats

2724-504
or
2724-504-270
or
2724-504-2596

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

2724-497
or
2724-497-270

RF9908 Spot On
Zodiac Groomersâ Spot On Pack
Zodiac Spot On Flea & Tick Control for Small Dogs 16â30 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

2517-85

Sergeantâs Cyphenothrin Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sergeantâs Silver Flea and Tick Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sentry XFC Flea and Tick Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sentry XFC Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sergeantâs Silver Squeeze-on for Dogs

2517-80
or
2517-80-83333

Sergeantâs Cyphenothrin + IGR Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sergeantâs Gold Squeeze-on for Dogs
Sergeantâs 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.

Regulatory agencies are taking action

Health Canada has identified similar concerns about the use of spot-on flea and tick products. Health Canada and EPA will be meeting with product manufacturers shortly to address this issue, including whether further restrictions are necessary to protect the health of pets.

[Ron]

Curious as to why there is an "increase" in incidents. Have the active chemicals changed?

[bruinsBoxers]

Most likely because more people are reporting the problems their dogs are having .

[JoeV]

interesting facts. Basically it is telling us that 44K out of 55 million (approx. # of dogs in the US) were affected. Since this finding does not tell us the percentages of each incident's severity (from itching to death) it seems too shallow for me to just completely take my dog off spot treatments.
All I know though is that if I had not used frontline last month, my doggie would have had 4 ticks in her after hiking. fortunately, all 4 were dead and just laying in her fur.

[KeeperBoy]

I personally would never put a pesticide on my dog. It just doesn't feel right to me. Fleas won't likely kill your dog so I figure if I ever have a problem I will just deal with it then.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by KeeperBoy

I personally would never put a pesticide on my dog. It just doesn't feel right to me. Fleas won't likely kill your dog so I figure if I ever have a problem I will just deal with it then.

ticks are what worry about

[KeeperBoy]

Ticks are pretty easy to see though and I've known several people who have had ticks on their dogs even when they use the preventative. Our vet has also told us that something like 95% of dogs with lyme disease are fine as long as they get treatment within a week of the onset of symptoms.

I guess I'm more into holistic medicine than I ever realized. I just can't justify lots of meds/vaccines.

[JoeV]

Originally Posted by KeeperBoy

Ticks are pretty easy to see though and I've known several people who have had ticks on their dogs even when they use the preventative. Our vet has also told us that something like 95% of dogs with lyme disease are fine as long as they get treatment within a week of the onset of symptoms.

I guess I'm more into holistic medicine than I ever realized. I just can't justify lots of meds/vaccines.

I doubt you'd stick to holistic if your dog ever got Lyme's and even after treatment during the first week (if your lucky to catch it by then) it might have symptoms that persist years afterward:
"In my experience, five percent of dogs will have some type of relapse of signs such as cardiac or neurological difficulties even after treatment . Some of these patients will experience chronic, lifelong joint pain from the damage caused by the bacteria and its direct and indirect stress to joint tissues" (thepetcenter.com)

[KeeperBoy]

And I'm sure you would be more into holistic medicine if your dog had neurological damage because of putting TOXIC chemicals on their skin every month. It's a doubt edged sward. For my animals, I will not over medicate or put chemicals on their skin.

[JoeV]

Originally Posted by KeeperBoy

And I'm sure you would be more into holistic medicine if your dog had neurological damage because of putting TOXIC chemicals on their skin every month. It's a doubt edged sward. For my animals, I will not over medicate or put chemicals on their skin.

touche - yep there are positives and negatives associated with this.