Comments on: Environmental group has a problem with OTC flea products

By: Rich Parsons

Rich Parsons — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:59:08 +0000

Thanks for publishing this information. There is no question that OTC flea and tick products containing the neurotoxin permethrins and synthetic pyrethroids (i.e., phenothrin) are doing great damage to pets and families. The manufacturers rely greatly on the ignorance of the public to get away with thousands of injuries and deaths that mostly go unreported. Even those that are reported properly to the appropriate regulatory agencies (i.e. EPA) are buried in bureacracy and generally are not acted upon until the statistical evidence and public outcry is overwhelming…much too late for many animals and their “families”. Reprehesible behavior by a handful of manufacturers. Who knows what damage is accumulating in humans and will manifest itself in years to come. Thanks again.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:45:30 +0000

I remember fighting fleas before Frontline. It wasn’t fun, especially with a flea allergic Borzoi. One flea and his quality of life dropped dramatically. I also knew another flea allergic dog whose owner would only use the measures recommended at GreenPaws. That dog was absolutely miserable all the time. I’m glad to see that the highly toxic products are being removed from the market, but before we ban everything let’s look at the whole picture.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:30:39 +0000

Margaret, I guess you’ve never seen a pet die from a reaction to organophosphates. Feh.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:43:09 +0000

feh. sounds like fearmongering. Fleas and ticks are evil and deserve to die. I’m willing to accept the risks, for myself, and on behalf of my beleved pets.

By: Dr Patty Khuly

Dr Patty Khuly — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:25:48 +0000

Organophosphate toxicity was the impetus behind the research into and development of the new generation flea and tick products. I’ve seen plenty of animals suffer its effects.

Moreover, I have no doubt that even low-level exposure to humans would be hazardous when considered in cumulative terms.

Topical products like Frontline and Advantage are FAR safer when it comes to human exposure but long-term effects are potentially an issue—who knows?

There’s just no getting around the fact that these products exist to control what’s currently considered a greater evil: ectoparasites.

But will we be questioning this assertion in years to come. Again, who knows?