HOW SAFE IS YOUR PET'S         FLEA AND TICK CONTROL                   PRODUCT?

 Why Do Spot-On Flea and Tick Products

and Other Well-Known Flea Products Need Registered With the EPA?

___________________________________________The answer is plain and simple--they are laden with pesticides.  Pesticide products must be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  It is the Agency's responsibility to ensure the product does not pose an unreasonable health risk when used according to the label's direction.  Due to the reporting of an increase in adverse pet incidents resulting from the use of spot-on flea products in 2009, the EPA (after examining the incidents reported) has passed tighter regulations regarding labeling, use of toxic  ingredients, and changes for registration of these products.

What are some acute effects of using spot-on flea and tick products for flea prevention? _______________________________________________ Here are some of the acute effects using either the tube or vial:

lethargy alopecia behavioral disorders respiratory problems skin irritation eye irritation Salivation

Some long-term effects will be mentioned shortly.   

Spot-on flea and tick products may expose your family and other household pets to

dangerous pesticides.__________________________________________If you carefully read the back of your flea and tick product, you may be surprised.  Some products advise that you keep your other household pets away from the treated animal for a designated amount of time to prevent exposure of the pesticide.  Also, during initial application, it is possible that family members could be exposed to these pesticides.  Would you want your family or other pets to be exposed unnecessarily to more chemicals and pesticides than they already are?   

  Beware of "Fipronil" found in some 

leading flea and tick products!  Why?_______________________________________________According to Dr. Dobozy from the Pesticide Division of the EPA, the toxicology report for Fipronil has the potentialfor nervous system and thyroid toxicity after long-term use at low levels.Thyroid cancer has also been linked to the use of Fipronil.  What does this mean to you the pet owner.It means you must check your labels.  Fipronil is one of the main active ingredients in a widely used flea and tick control product. The EPA actually has a procedure set up that allows you to notify them of any toxic effects resulting from a registered flea and tick product.  You can go to their site for additional data and suggestions in using flea and tick products http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/pets.htm.

CONCLUSION The good news is that the EPA has increased their restrictions on registered flea and tick products. Although the EPA has new restrictions that may help, the questions you need to ask are:  Is it good enough?  Do I still want my pets and family members exposed unnecessarily to any harmful pesticides?  Get the facts.  Read the EPA reports, and you too may decide to go with a different approach to controlling fleas and ticks on your beloved pet. Personally, I have found a great product for getting rid of fleas that is safe for my animals and any family member, especially small children.  What is it?  Follow the link: 

http://bit.ly/uVFcsp