Jul 21, 2009 11:45 pm US/Eastern
EPA To Investigate Harmful Flea And Tick Treatment
Agency Received 44,000 Complaints From Pet Owners In 2008 Alleging Irritations, Seizures, Deaths In Animals
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
With summer in full swing, pet owners are looking to protect their dogs and cats from fleas and ticks.
But some flea and tick treatments, namely those known as 'spot-on' solutions, are being investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency, as some feel they can be detrimental to an animal's health.
Lincoln, a 10-year-old golden retriever, fought cancer for many years. But his owner, Cindy Tanghetti, said it was a spot-on flea treatment that ultimately killed him.
"The breathing was bad, the shaking, the lethargy … I felt like I was losing him," Tanghetti said.
Judy Whalen reported similar results after using spot-on treatment on her dog Rudy. She claimed his hair began falling out, and symptoms got progressively worse from there.
"He started to vomit," Whalen said. "He wasn't keeping his food down."
The EPA received 44,000 complaints from pet owners about spot-on treatments, from a variety of manufacturers, in 2008.
Spot-on medications are applied between the shoulder blades, and different brands use different types of pesticides – all of which are regulated by the EPA. But dogs and cats treated with the procedure have suffered everything from skin irritations and burns to seizures and, in some cases, death.
One dog-owner said her pup suffered incredible chemical burns that almost killed him, and claimed to have received a $2,500 settlement when she notified the manufacturer.
This has left the government demanding answers from many spot-on makers.
Marty Monell, of the EPA, said the agency can attempt to correct the problem in a number of ways.
"The actions that the agency can take range from changing the instructions on the label, to adding precautionary language to it and all the way to cancellation of the product and stopping of sales and orders," Monell said.
A major part of the issue is that there are 70 different types of spot-on medications currently on the market, and each has a slightly different active ingredient than the next. This is usually a different type of oil to deliver the medication.
But Dr. Michael Farber, of West Chelsea Veterinary, said counterfeit products have also begun to surface.
"We're seeing, on the internet, a lot of boot leg products," Farber said. "Products that are being imported from other countries, and they're not controlled by the Food and Drug Administration or the EPA."
The EPA has not instructed pet owners to stop using the products, but it has given them some precautionary advice.
"If you have an animal that is in any way compromised health-wise, that's older or a very young pet, like kittens or puppies, you should consult with your vet before you buy and apply any of these spot-on products," Monell said.
Farber seemed to agree that the spot-on medications are generally OK.
"If you're following the label directions carefully, we feel that they are safe," he said.
Each of the owners insisted directions were followed, leaving many to wonder if the treatment is worth the risk.
The EPA is demanding information on every spot-on manufacturer by the end of July, and is expected to make any decisions about pulling the drugs off shelves by the end of the 2009.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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