EPA Flea and Tick Information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently evaluating spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control due to recent increases in the number of reported adverse reactions in pets treated with these products.

The types of adverse reactions reported included mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures, and in some cases, death of the pet.

Fleas and ticks can transmit disease, therefore use of a flea and tick preventative is appropriate for protecting the pet's and the family's health. Many people have used these products with no harm to the pet, yet pet owners should take certain precautions when using these products:

• Consult your veterinarian:

Before use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products, and
If your pet experiences an adverse effect.

• If you use a spot-on product or any other pesticide on you pet, carefully read and follow the product label
• Use flea and tick control products only on the animal specified by the product label. For example, dog products for dogs only and cat products for cats only.
• Follow any label prohibitions against use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown sensitivity to pesticide products.
• Apply only the amount indicated for the size of the animal being treated.
• Do not apply to kittens or puppies unless the product label specifically allows this treatment. Pay attention to age restrictions for puppies and kittens on the label.
• Monitor your pet for side effects or signs of sensitivity after applying the product, particularly when using the product on your pet for the first time. Do not apply spot-ons to pets known to be sensitive to pesticide products.
• If your pet experiences an adverse reaction, immediately bathe the pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water.
• Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes). Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. You will want to have the instructions at hand, as well as contact information for the manufacturer.
  

To report an adverse incident:

• Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes). Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. The package contains the product label, which includes important information such as the EPA registration number and contact information for the manufacturer.

• Report any adverse effects to the manufacturer, who is required by law to report it to EPA. Contact information can be found on the product label. In addition, you may report the incident to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), 1-800-858-7378

• Encourage your veterinarian to use NPIC’s Veterinary Pesticide Adverse Effects Reporting portal at http://npic.orst.edu/vet to report any incidents. This portal is not for use by the public.

For further information, the EPA has answers to some frequently asked questions.