Dr. Jan Bellows
Over the past several years, the use of flea and tick medicines – so called “spot on” treatments that you place on the back of your dog’s neck so that it is absorbed into its skin – has been on the rise. The results have been fairly positive, as they have been able to do a better than decent job reducing discomfort to your pet’s skin by killing off fleas and preventing them from coming back for several months.
Yet it is also widely known that these “medicines” are actually a form of pesticide, and pesticides can be very dangerous. After all, they are a poison, and when you put them on your dog’s skin, you are essentially poisoning their skin in order to kill of the little bugs. So how safe are these methods and is there a better alternative?
Important Note About Flea and Tick Prevention
When you go to your Vet, you will see that they are going to try to sell you on one of the expensive flea killers like Frontline Plus. They can cost up to $50 per package, while the kinds available at the local Pet shop can cost as little as $8.
It is very important that you go with the vet recommended flea medication rather than the cheap in store brands. The studies on products like Frontline have been able to show that it is safer than most other treatments, while the inexpensive flea killers have been linked to serious organ damage, massive amounts of adverse reactions, and several health problems over the course of long term use. If you have no other options, contact your vet to make sure the brand you are interested in is acceptable, but it is highly recommended that you go for the well known, pricier varieties for the sake of your dog’s health.
Are Flea and Tick Prevention Methods Safe?
There has been a tremendous rise in adverse reactions to flea and tick prevention methods, and the EPA has been looking in to what might be the cause. But as of right now, it strongly appears that flea and tick prevention medicines are safe, providing you use one of the veterinary recommended brands.
The rise in adverse reactions is primarily believed to be a result of overuse (never squeeze a “large dog” size on a small dog, as it may be too much toxins for their body to handle) as well as a combination of factors mostly linked to some of the cheaper medicines. The main brands have heavily documented research that is ensuring their safety, and though you should always read all of the warning labels carefully, the benefits of using these treatments outweighs the risks.
Is There a Better Option?
Many websites and journals try to persuade alternative options, such as going with natural medicines or shampoos. But as of yet, none of these have shown to be effective, and many have caused dogs allergic reactions that are equally as discomforting as the good flea medicines. While going natural is preferable, there are simply no good options yet.
Your best bet is to use the well known flea prevention products that are recommended by your vet, and simply monitor your dog after you give it to them. If there are warning signs they will likely occur quickly, and your vet should know how to handle them. Since most of these problems are rare as well, chances are that if you use one of the main medicines – even for many years – it is unlikely that your dog will experience any major health problems as a result.