There’s been a lot of trepidation about the safety of flea and tick collars and spot type skin applications for pets and the toxic exposures to dogs, cats and the people in their families. The EPA continues to look at this problem. In the meantime, many people are looking into natural products to see what works in our geographical areas, in some cases hoping they don’t end up having to “bomb” the house.

Merck Research Laboratories, in the form of Peter Meinke and colleagues, have also been looking at this problem given the continued increase in pets in homes nationally, now over 150 million. One way to bypass the issue of people exposure to unsafe levels of cancer-causing pesticides is to build a better delivery system, like a pill. And now there is one that has tested as 100% effective for 30 days for both fleas and ticks, in cats and dogs, and that’s a first. I am always concerned about side effects and any dangers of administering internal medication that travels throughout all the body’s organs, but reportedly no toxic effects have been noted.

The flea and tick pill is based on a substance found in a type of fungus. I’ll probably wait until it’s clear what else is in it and it’s in widespread use before I consider giving it to my dog.  But that’s just me:) Read on…

As reported in my recent list of non-toxic alternatives for Earth Day, the EPA is re-examining flea and tick spot type applications due to a sharp rise in adverse effects reports.  In case you hadn’t heard, in a related story the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an organization comprised of scientists, lawyers, and others, filed a lawsuit in California to protect consumers from toxic chemicals in pet products.

“New NRDC Analysis Reveals Flea Collars Create Toxic Chemical Residues on Pet Fur that Threaten Human Health. In new scientific analysis also released today, NRDC found high levels of propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), another carcinogenic neurotoxin common in household pet products, on pet fur after use of ordinary flea collars. NRDC is also petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), calling for the removal of these chemicals from pet products.”

The study, the first measuring propoxur residue on pets’ coats, found that some brands carried up to 1000 times more than the EPA designated “safe” level for cancer risk in children and up to 500 times more for the same in adults. After three days, 100% of pets using a collar with propoxur posed significant risk to toddlers, and 50% of pets with TCVP showed significant risk. This study also revealed that unsafe residue remains on pets for two weeks after a collar is applied. That is an incredibly strong, long lasting dose of neurotoxin. If a family has multiple pets, the effect on all its members is multiplied.

“The EPA has never compiled data on pesticide levels found on a pet’s fur after use of flea collars” according to this report, which may be one reason why they are still found on the shelves of your local pet supply stores.

The NRDC has compiled a downloadable guide to toxic chemicals listed by risk rating.  Use it in good health!  Now I’d like to know what cancers in dogs are a direct result of such high and repeated exposures  to these neurotoxins…

It is Spring, the time when most dog and cat parents look to protect their furry ones by taking them for their annual vet check up, vaccinations, heartworm testing, and checking on flea and tick prevention products to use for the season.  So here’s some information worth repeating to your friends.

The investigation into the EPA approved flea and tick products containing pyrethrins and their derivatives that have allegedly been killing thousands of pets has reverberated across the industry, as reported yesterday in DogMagazine.net, UK.

Hartz, Sergeant’s, and Bio Spot, were the subjects of inquiry, and all claim their products are safe when used as directed.  With tens of thousands of registered complaints on pets affected by pyrethrins (and their synthetic cousins) as a class of toxin, and thousands of attributed deaths , their attorneys must expect to be busy soon.  Pyrethrins are found in Raid and other products meant to kill pests. The targets of this report , related by Joel Grover and Matt Goldberg for NBC LA, are flea and tick shampoos and spot application products.

Even the EPA is not certain just how many animals have to come harm from this pesticide. They are currently undertaking a review of these products to determine if they are safe (again), if additional labeling is required, or if findings will lead to taking this product off the market.

Here’s a link to the recent NBC LA report on EPA approved pet meds killing dogs and cats. The video is well worth a look, and there are useful links to other reports.