Choose flea and tick products wisely

American Dog Tick, illustration courtesy CDC/Andrew J. Brooks

For being so tiny, fleas and ticks present big problems. Fleas can cause flea anemia, flea bite dermatitis and tapeworm infestation. Ticks can carry Lyme disease and other dangerous tick-borne illnesses.

While there are many flea and tick control products on the market, you have to pick your poison carefully. Some of these products may contain ingredients that will not only kill pests, but hurt your dog as well.

Pyrethroid "spot-on" treatments are among the recent concerns regarding over-the-counter flea/tick control. According to a December 2008 report by the Center for Public Integrity, these "pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatments … are approved for sale by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and they are readily available at grocery stores, specialty pet retailers and hardware stores. But they are also linked to thousands of reported pet poisonings, and they have stirred the ire of pet owners, the concern of veterinarians and the attention of regulatory agencies."

The center said that at least 1,600 pet deaths related to pyrethroid spot-on treatments were reported to the EPA over the five years prior to the center's report (the EPA does caution that these reports came from consumers and not toxicologists). Also within that time frame, pyrethroid spot-ons were linked to more than half of "major" pesticide pet reactions reported to the EPA. These reactions included brain damage, heart attacks and violent seizures.

Also of concern are organophosphate insecticides (OPs), which can damage the nervous system in pets and children alike. If the product includes chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, naled, phosmet, tetrachlorvinphos, malathion or diazinon, it's OP-based. Read the label.

It's best to talk to your veterinarian before using any over-the-counter pest control. You never want to use flea and tick products designed for cats on your dog. And you never want to put any pest control products on puppies, senior dogs or dogs who are sick, pregnant or nursing.

When discussing the appropriate flea and tick product for your pet, your vet will more than likely steer you toward the non-pyrethroid treatments, including those containing fipronil, imidacloprid or selamectin. These would be available through your vet. If persistent skin irritation occurs at the site of application (it's rare, but can happen), call your vet immediately.
 

Flea, scanning electron micrograph courtesy CDC/Janice Haney Carr

Insect growth regulators like lufenuron, methoprene and pyriproxyfen can be used alone or in combination with non-pyrethroid treatments for preventing future generations of fleas. Again, these would be available through your vet's office.

For those of you who'd prefer a chemical-free option to flea and tick control, here are some tips:

• Comb your dog often with a flea comb. A wee bit of petroleum jelly on the comb will help fleas stick to the tines. If you comb over a white piece of paper and see tiny black specks, you know fleas are present even if you don't see them crawling on your pet.
• Be sure when checking for fleas and ticks that you look around the head and tail, behind and in the ears, in the "armpits," under the tail and between the toes.
• Regularly bathe your dog. Overbathing, however, can cause other problems. Bathing frequency is dependent on a dog's breed and other factors. Ask a professional groomer for advice if you're not sure.
• Wash dog bedding once a week (or your bedspread if your dog sleeps with you).
• Vacuum your home frequently, and immediately pitch the vacuum bags.
• Keep your lawn mowed.
• Boil cut lemons, let them steep a few hours (or even overnight) and then strain into a spray bottle. Spray your dog's coat, but be sure to keep the solution away from the eyes. To get the face, spray a washrag and rub it in.

Some holistic practitioners also recommend using brewer's yeast and/or garlic in a dog's food to make the animal less tasty to fleas. It's best to discuss this with a practitioner or your vet before trying these remedies. Excessive amounts of garlic can make your dog anemic, so you need to know what you're doing before adding these foods to your pet's diet.

Non-chemical treatments of the home include steam-cleaning carpets and placing amorphous diatomaceous earth in cracks and around baseboards. Applying nematodes in moist, shady places near the home also controls fleas. There are chemical treatments as well, but you must follow the directions carefully, or get an exterminator for help.

Bloodthirsty bugs don't belong on your best friend. But again, before trying any flea and tick control product, read the label and talk to your vet. That way, you can keep your dog safe and pest-free.

Other sources:

"Flea Control Products," Healthypet.com (American Animal Hospital Association)

"Fleas, Ticks, Mosquitoes -- Prevention and Treatment," Robin Tierney, Partnership for Animal Welfare

"Poisons on Pets," Natural Resources Defense Council

"What You Should Know about Flea and Tick Products," Humane Society of the United States