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most of you probably know all this, but i thought it was timely.
April 05, 2010
The warm spring weather means the outdoors is literally crawling with ticks, and pet owners are responding by treating their cats and dogs with flea and tick medications.
But federal authorities and local veterinarians say pet owners should take care to make sure they are applying the right topical or "spot on" treatments to their pet's skin.
The Environmental Protection Agency reported last month that products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands.
Veterinarian Heidi McMorrow at Cape Cod Animal Hospital in West Barnstable said vets there have treated cats who developed seizures from taking a product meant for a dog.
"There are some pretty severe reactions sometimes," said veterinarian Paul McCartin at Hyannis Animal Hospital in West Yarmouth. "We've had trouble keeping pets alive."
McCartin also said he's seen more problems with bad reactions in cats than dogs.
The EPA report says that cats and small dogs seem to be most vulnerable to the topical medications, with reactions ranging from minor skin irritation to vomiting, seizures and death.
Some incidents occurred when products meant for larger dogs were given to dogs as small as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, miniature poodles, Pomeranians and dachshunds, the report said.
Some pet owners think it's OK to divide an application meant for a 60-pound dog among three 20-pound dogs, McMorrow said. But it's not, she added.
More than weight is taken into consideration in establishing a dose, McMorrow said. Factors like a dog's metabolism also are accounted for.
Ordering from the Internet or purchasing less expensive products in a retail store also can be problematic, she said. Some stores use chemicals that are no longer included in a veterinarian office's list of offerings, McMorrow said.
In these economically tough times, some people are opting to purchase less expensive medications from stores, McCartin said. But the cheaper brands tend to be more toxic, he said.
Skipping tick and flea treatments is not a good idea, given the prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-related ailments on Cape Cod, McMorrow said. Lyme is caused by the deer tick.
David Simser, an entomologist with Barnstable County, said adult deer ticks that survived the winter will be active now that the weather has dried out. Starting in May, people also need to be on the lookout for tiny poppy-size deer tick nymphs that cause most cases of Lyme, he said.
McMorrow said people should be assured that the correct application of high-quality tick and flea treatments is safe for their pets.
"If they are using the proper products and they are using the proper sources, there should be no problems," she said.
According to the Associated Press, the EPA most likely will require companies to ensure labels make it clear that products intended for dogs should never be used on cats.
April 05, 2010
The warm spring weather means the outdoors is literally crawling with ticks, and pet owners are responding by treating their cats and dogs with flea and tick medications.
But federal authorities and local veterinarians say pet owners should take care to make sure they are applying the right topical or "spot on" treatments to their pet's skin.
The Environmental Protection Agency reported last month that products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands.
Veterinarian Heidi McMorrow at Cape Cod Animal Hospital in West Barnstable said vets there have treated cats who developed seizures from taking a product meant for a dog.
"There are some pretty severe reactions sometimes," said veterinarian Paul McCartin at Hyannis Animal Hospital in West Yarmouth. "We've had trouble keeping pets alive."
McCartin also said he's seen more problems with bad reactions in cats than dogs.
The EPA report says that cats and small dogs seem to be most vulnerable to the topical medications, with reactions ranging from minor skin irritation to vomiting, seizures and death.
Some incidents occurred when products meant for larger dogs were given to dogs as small as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, miniature poodles, Pomeranians and dachshunds, the report said.
Some pet owners think it's OK to divide an application meant for a 60-pound dog among three 20-pound dogs, McMorrow said. But it's not, she added.
More than weight is taken into consideration in establishing a dose, McMorrow said. Factors like a dog's metabolism also are accounted for.
Ordering from the Internet or purchasing less expensive products in a retail store also can be problematic, she said. Some stores use chemicals that are no longer included in a veterinarian office's list of offerings, McMorrow said.
In these economically tough times, some people are opting to purchase less expensive medications from stores, McCartin said. But the cheaper brands tend to be more toxic, he said.
Skipping tick and flea treatments is not a good idea, given the prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-related ailments on Cape Cod, McMorrow said. Lyme is caused by the deer tick.
David Simser, an entomologist with Barnstable County, said adult deer ticks that survived the winter will be active now that the weather has dried out. Starting in May, people also need to be on the lookout for tiny poppy-size deer tick nymphs that cause most cases of Lyme, he said.
McMorrow said people should be assured that the correct application of high-quality tick and flea treatments is safe for their pets.
"If they are using the proper products and they are using the proper sources, there should be no problems," she said.
According to the Associated Press, the EPA most likely will require companies to ensure labels make it clear that products intended for dogs should never be used on cats.
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