Dogs, Cats, & Humans are Suffering & Dying from Flea Medications and Flea Products

Flea medications, while effective in controlling pests, pose significant dangers to dogs and other pets. Several reports and studies have highlighted the risks associated with these treatments, particularly those containing certain chemicals.

Dangers of Flea Medications

Chemical Toxicity

Many flea and tick treatments contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets. For instance, permethrin, commonly found in over-the-counter dog treatments, is highly toxic to cats and can cause serious health issues if used incorrectly. Symptoms of toxicity can include uncontrollable shaking and neurological damage, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Neurological Side Effects

Oral flea and tick preventatives, especially those containing isoxazolines, have been linked to severe neurological side effects in dogs. These side effects include tremors, seizures, ataxia (lack of muscle coordination), vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. These symptoms indicate that dogs are being poisoned along with the pests the medication is intended to kill.

Pesticide Exposure

Flea treatments often contain pesticides that can be harmful not only to pets but also to humans, particularly children. Pesticides like organophosphates and carbamates, found in some flea treatments, have been linked to learning disabilities in children and various health issues in pets, including skin irritation, neurological problems, and even organ failure.

Incident Reports

Between 2009 and 2013, Health Canada received 4,726 incident reports related to topical flea treatments for cats and dogs, with a significant number of deaths reported. Most of these incidents involved over-the-counter treatments, with spot-on treatments being responsible for approximately 80% of the cases.

Flea medications can potentially affect humans in the household in several ways:

1. Pesticide exposure: Flea treatments often contain pesticides that can transfer from pets to humans, especially children. This exposure may occur through:

• Direct contact with treated pets
• Residues on bedding, furniture, or other surfaces
• Hand-to-mouth transfer after touching treated pets or contaminated surfaces

2. Health risks: Exposure to pesticides in flea treatments has been associated with potential health concerns for humans, including:

• Behavioral problems
• Cognitive delays
• Issues with motor development
• Skin irritation or allergic reactions

3. Occupational hazards: Pet groomers and handlers who regularly use flea-control products are at higher risk of exposure and may experience:

• Systemic illnesses
• Localized symptoms like chemical conjunctivitis
• Skin flushing and irritation
• Respiratory issues
• Abdominal cramping and nausea

4. Accidental ingestion: While rare, accidental ingestion of flea treatments can be harmful, especially for children. Different types of treatments pose varying levels of risk:

• Topical treatments and flea powders can be particularly dangerous if ingested
• Oral medications generally pose minimal risk but should still be kept out of reach
• Ingesting flea collar material is usually not harmful in small amounts

IN SUMMARY

The long-term health effects of using chemical flea killers on pets can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Research has shown links between certain flea control chemicals and serious long-term conditions in pets:

Cancer: Prolonged exposure to flea control chemicals has been associated with an increased risk of cancer in pets.

Neurological disorders: Some flea treatment ingredients can cause long-term neurological problems, including seizures and other nervous system issues.

Organ damage: Oral flea control products pass through pets’ vital organs, potentially causing damage to the stomach, liver, and other organs over time.

Behavioral problems: Exposure to pesticides used in flea collars may be linked to behavioral issues in pets, similar to those observed in children.

Cognitive impairment: Long-term exposure to these chemicals might lead to cognitive delays or impairments in pets.

Motor skill issues: Some pesticides in flea control products have been associated with problems in motor development and function.

It’s important to note that these long-term health effects can occur even when products are used as directed. The cumulative exposure to these chemicals over time can lead to serious health consequences for pets. Pet owners should consider safer, natural alternatives for flea control to minimize these risks.

BOTTOM LINE? DO NOT EVER USE THESE HORRIFIC CHEMICALS – NO MATTER WHAT! GO HOLISTIC!