Pet
owners are being warned that improper use of flea and tick control
products on their dogs and cats can lead to serious illness and, in
some instances, even death.
The Hunt of Her Life: A book about a rescue dog that will touch your heart
The Hunt of Her Life: A book about a rescue dog that will touch your heart
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has placed tougher restrictions
on the insecticide treatments commonly used on pets and has required
revisions to labeling to help pet owners use the products properly.
Spot-on pesticide products, generally sold in tubes or vials and applied in between a pet's shoulders or in a stripe along the back, have been the focus of "high-priority" monitoring by the EPA in recent years after some pets developed skin irritations, had seizures or have died.
Story continues below
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A book about a rescue dog
that will touch your heart
that will touch your heart
THE HUNT OF HER LIFE is a nonfiction book
about Samantha, an unwanted rescue dog who the author adopts at age 2.
This beautifully designed deluxe full-color book, by longtime newspaper journalist Joseph A. Reppucci, contains more than 60 vibrant color photos of dogs to help illustrate the compelling and uplifting
story of Samantha - a pretty tricolor bird dog who uses her warm
personality to win people over and build a new family after being put up
for adoption by a hunter because she is gun-shy and afraid to hunt.
Learn how she uses her special bonding abilities with people to help her
eventually make a transition from the hunting fields to family life. While
reading the The Hunt of Her Life, you will travel with Samantha and the
author along a trail filled with surprising twists, sudden turns,
mystery and even what some call a miracle. And when the journey is
finished, you may never look at people and their pets, motherhood - and
perhaps even God - in the same way. The
Hunt of Her Life is must reading. It will take you on a captivating
journey - a trip like no other - that will touch your heart.
Available at:
Createspace.com (an Amazon.com company)
Also find it on: Amazon.com
Like it on: Facebook/thehuntofherlife
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Story continues here
“Pet
owners need to carefully read and follow all labeling before exposing
your pet to a pesticide,” Steve Owens, assistant administrator of
EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, states
in a media release.
Better
labeling is particularly important because some incidents of illness
and death have been linked to misuse such as a dog product being
applied to a cat or a dosage meant for a large dog being applied to a
smaller dog, according to the EPA.
Most people use the products with no harm to their pets, the EPA said, but the an analysis determined that smaller dogs tend to be disproportionately affected by some products and that the exposure of cats to some dog products is a concern.
Most people use the products with no harm to their pets, the EPA said, but the an analysis determined that smaller dogs tend to be disproportionately affected by some products and that the exposure of cats to some dog products is a concern.
"Pet
owners need to be cautious about using flea and tick products
safely," EPA veterinarian Ann Stohlman states in a media
release. “You need to take the time to carefully read the label,
the package insert, and any accompanying literature to make sure
you’re using the product correctly.”
Some
problems also have occurred involving sprays, collars and shampoos,
the EPA reports, and it recommends that pet parents take precautions
and consult a veterinarian when using flea and tick products on their
dogs and cats. It says people should carefully follow label
directions and monitor their pets for signs of reaction after
application, particularly when using these products for the first
time.
When
using flea-and-tick control products on pets, the EPA recommends:
- Consulting a veterinarian before using on weak, older, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products.
- Reading the product label carefully before applying a spot-on product or any other pesticide on your pet.
- Using products only on the animal specified by the product label; dog products for dogs only and cat products for cats only.
- Applying only the amount indicated for the size of the animal being treated.
- Not applying to kittens or puppies unless the product label specifically allows this treatment.
- Monitoring your pet for side effects or signs of sensitivity after applying the product, particularly when using the product for the first time.
- Not applying spot-ons to pets known to be sensitive to pesticide products.
If
an adverse reaction occurs, bathe the pet with mild soap and rinse it
with with large amounts of water, the EPA says. Keep the package with
the product container (such as individual applicator tubes), so you
will want to have the instructions and manufacturer's contact
information.
The
best time to treat a pet is at the beginning of flea and tick season,
according to the Dr. Stohlman. The length of flea season, which
peaks during warm weather months, varies depending on where you live.
“It can last four months in some places, but in other places, like
Florida, fleas can live all year long,” she states.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ticks are found in
some places year-round. In most parts of the United States, the
greatest chance of infection by a tick bite is spring and summer.
The
Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group for the
environment, urges pet parents to consider using natural flea and
tick control methods rather than products containing pesticides. It
recommends frequently using a flea comb, regular bathing of pets, and
regular vacuuming and washing of a pet's bedding.
The
EPA recently met with officials from 13 companies that make flea and
tick products as part of its evaluation of the products. According to
a summary report of the meeting, the EPA has established a team of
veterinarians to review the incidents and the ingredients used in the
products.
In
2010, the EPA began closely monitoring flea and tick products after a
surge in pet illnesses and deaths. In 2007 and 2008, 1,200 deaths and
1,350 major illnesses were attributed to use of flea and tick
products.
More
reports about dogs and health:
Number
of dogs sickened by Lyme disease surges
Dog owners have new weapon in fight against ticks and fleas
Dog owners have new weapon in fight against ticks and fleas
The
pet deaths and illnesses prompted the EPA to take action, which included:
- Developing more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for existing and new products to help prevent adverse reactions.
- Restricting the use of certain inert ingredients that EPA finds may contribute to the incidents.
- Requiring manufacturers of spot-on pesticide products to improve labeling, making instructions clearer to prevent product misuse.
- Requiring more precise label instructions to ensure proper dosage per pet weight.
- Requiring clear markings to differentiate between dog and cat products, and disallowing similar brand names for dog and cat products. Similar names may have led to misuse.
The Ruff Report is a column that appears on MySetterSam.com,
a blog written by Joseph A. Reppucci, a retired editor from The Patriot
Ledger in Quincy, Massachusetts. Mr. Reppucci worked as a reporter and editor on major daily
newspapers in the Boston area for more than 30 years. He is the author
of the book, The Hunt of Her Life,
a heartwarming story about his once-in-a-lifetime rescue dog. Find it on Createspace.com and Amazon.com.
HOME
THE RUFF REPORT
So easy to read. You choose the topic!
Adoption | Behavior | Food | Health
Rescue | Safety | Surveys and Studies
Like MySetterSam on Facebook
Posts
