EPA to mandate new labeling requirements, tighter reporting for spot-on flea and tick products
EPA to mandate new labeling requirements, tighter reporting for spot-on flea and tick products
Mar 17, 2010: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is going to make changes in the labeling and approval of existing and new spot-on flea control products to prevent possible adverse reactions for dogs and cats. The current label warnings have not been adequate.
Their decision is a result of a more than year-long safety review of these products showing an increasing number of adverse events had been reported. While a majority of adverse event reports were considered minor, other reports were much more serious, including seizures and even death. Noteworthy findings from the review includes inadvertent or intentional administration of canine spot-on flea products on cats, which winds up basically poisoning the cat due to a way too high dose. Inappropriate application of spot-on flea products poses greatest risk to cats.
Most spot-on flea products are NOT considered to be dangerous when used correctly, but rather the problem seems to be with people using the dog product on cats, or not following the dosing directions correctly. For example, some people put too much of the product on the cat, or use it again too soon, in the misguided belief that using a lot more will be better to get rid of fleas. Using more of the product than the directions say will not get rid of every last flea sooner, especially since fleas don’t live on the cat all the time. Instead, misuse of the spot-on products can wind up poisoning the cat or dog- possibly killing the cat or dog, and you will still have some fleas and flea eggs in your carpets. Combating fleas requires an increase in vacuuming your carpets and furniture, along with correct use of flea products.
In some cases, even with correct use, some dogs or cats may have adverse reactions. The new labeling will provide better warnings, better labeling instructions, dosage guidelines, along with possible symptoms of a problem.
Again, there is not a problem in general with spot-on flea treatments such as Frontline and Advantage, but rather that if not used correctly, there can be serious health consequences. Do, however, be cautious about buying flea products online since there have been some counterfeit products made which are packaged as if they are the real Frontline or Advantage, but are fakes, and they likely are not safe.
For the full information, see:
Related information: http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Breaking+News/ASPCA-Inappropriate-application-of-spot-on-flea-pr/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/601779