Are You Poisoning Your Pet?

Are you poisoning your pet? Flea season is here and there is a strong temptation to wage a full-throttle battle against these pesky creatures. However, before you make a trip to your local supermarket to buy over the counter flea products, consider this:

Many flea collars, powders, and sprays still contain highly toxic organophosphate insecticides, "OP's," and/or carbamates. The adverse, sometimes fatal, reactions pets can have to these products is bad enough but humans exposed to these chemicals are also in danger. People who work with animals ( groomers, shelter workers, are at high risk for related health problems. Children who spend time with pets that have been treated with these flea products are also at great short-term and long-term risk.

According to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), children exposed to the organophosphate insecticides found in many OTC flea products can suffer from long term neurological damage and other diseases.

Cats are particularly susceptible to harmful chemicals in flea products. Permethrin, a common ingredient in flea products and other insecticides and acaricides, is a neurotoxin that is highly toxic for cats and should never be used on them or around them. Cats lack enzymes required to mitigate the effects of many substances.

In mixed pet households, dogs should be treated with a flea product that is safe for the cat as well. Even second-hand exposure to permethrin can cause permethrin toxicosis in cats. Signs of permethrin toxicosis include tremors, seizures, lameness, excitability, lethargy and/or vomiting; toxicosis can result in death. Any animal exhibiting signs of poisoning should be treated by a veterinarian immediately.

The NRDC website gives a very good analysis of chemicals and products to steer clear of. The following pesticides are listed on the site and should be avoided whether your pet is a cat or dog.

"A product contains an OP if the ingredient list contains chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon, or malathion. If the ingredient list includes carbaryl or propoxur, the product contains a carbamate."