Fleas and Ticks: A Nightmare for Pets and You

Just the mention of fleas and ticks sends a dark cloud over the faces of humans and their dogs and cats. Fleas and ticks just are not nice critters. The tiny, almost microscopic, bad creatures can carry and transmit some of the worst, most horrible, and sometimes, deadly diseases which afflict both man and beast.

Fleas and ticks, the not so nice creatures of summer, need to be controlled for both the health and comfort of pet and owner. Unfortunately, sometimes the control measures pose some very serious risks, particularly for the dogs and cats and their owners. Flea and tick treatments are coming under increasing scrutiny. There has been a nightmare increasing complaints regarding bad, crippling reactions and even deaths to the pet pesticides.

According to the Center for Public Integrity, there have been over 25,000 reported cases of pet pesticide reactions which ranged from minor, to serious, to death in the last five years. The use of some spot-on treatments is suspected in 1,600 animal fatalities. The flea and tick treatment products, approved by the EPA, are widely available in grocery stores, hardware stores, and discount chain stores.

The spot-on treatments used for flea and tick control have spurred the attention of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).It remains unclear if the improper use of the flea and tick treatments, or the powerful ingredients used in the products are responsible for some of the reported adverse effects. Many cases have simply been recorded and no exhaustive investigations have been completed. For example, there is a lack of information in many cases regarding the age and health of a dog when a treatment was applied.

The most recent update on pet pesticides was posted on June 23^rd by the FDA on their Web site. The FDA also offers some other good information and advice for pet owners.

Many national consumer and pet advocacy groups have also issued statements of concerns and warnings such as the Humane Society and the Center for Public Integrity, as well as the EPA. There are also numerous other sources of information found on the Web which are readily available.

It is helpful, according to many advocacy groups, to talk with your veterinarian about flea and tick treatments, particularly if the pet is an older animal or has some health related issues. Professional veterinarians will be up to date on the latest findings and research and product ingredients and government warnings.

The latest advisories, issued by the EPA for example, concern 70 different spot-on treatments used to control flea and tick populations on household pets. The majority of the products in the advisory use pyrethroid based ingredients for spot-on flea and tick treatments.

Other pesticide chemicals which should be used carefully and cautiously are organophosphates and carbamates. If a product contains organophosphates some of the ingredients on the product will list:

chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachloryinphos, diazinon or mallathion, according to the Humane Society. If the flea and tick treatment ingredient list has carbaryl or propropoxur, carbamates are present.

According to the Humane Society and the Center for Public Integrity, these ingredients pose harmful risks to children and pets. Both organizations also note that the cumulative effects of these powerful insecticides is currently unknown. Some are known cancer causing chemicals.

There are numerous way to control and eradicate fleas and ticks naturally. Fine tooth flea combs, inexpensive and widely available, are generally highly recommended by many pet advocacy organizations. Organic flea and tick information Web sites will list numerous natural remedies such as herbal collars and bedding material. Vacuum sweepers do wonders in flea and tick control, but it is important to vacuum everyday or even twice a day.

Many veterinarians and responsible pet organization will recommend starting the eradication programs early on in the season. Fleas and ticks generally make their first appearance in many cooler climates with the warmer weather. This year, 2009, and into 2010 could extend the flea and tick season in some regions because of a developing El Nino weather pattern in the eastern Pacific.

Typically, an El Nino in many northern regions will bring more mild winter weather, conditions which could benefit the flea and tick populations both indoors and outdoors. Some research models on global warming, might make the El Nino phenomena appear blissful in the upcoming decades.. Some research from Penn State indicates areas in much of the northeast could experience mild winters with little or no snow, infrequent freezings weather and frequent rains. The future for fleas and ticks in some regions unfortunately looks promising, a somewhat overlooked result of global warming.

While there is some concern regarding fleas and ticks developing an immunity to the products available today, new research indicates possible more effective treatments for cats and dogs may be introduced. Researchers have developed a pill which may be even more effective than the current spot-on treatments.

Managing fleas and ticks with natural methods, including fine tooth combs and household cleanliness are time consuming and boring tasks but effective, inexpensive and healthier for humans and pets. The best course to take is to start a natural control program before a problem begins to show.

If fleas and ticks are a pest problem now, take the corrective action. If chemical spot-on treatments are used, be sure to follow all the directions and procedures and save the container in case a problem needs to be reported. Be certain the product is for the specific pet, do not use treatments, for example, designed for cats on dogs and vice-versa. The chemicals used are effective and powerful and can be dangerous.

More information and resources on the text can be found at:

Humane Society

http://www.humanesociety.org/pets/pet_care/what_you_should_know_about_flea_and_tick_products/

Center for Public Integrity http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/pesticides/articles/entry/1080/

US Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/