EPA Announces That it Will Increase Restrictions on Pet “Spot-On” Products;
Urges Pet Owners to Use Caution.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noticed an increase in adverse reaction reports in pets that had “spot-on” flea and tick control products applied to them. The EPA studied the reports and concluded that it would need to attempt to increase the safety of these products by requiring stronger and clearer labels. An EPA announcement on March 17th reported.
Specifically, actions the EPA announced that it will pursue include:
- Requiring manufacturers of spot-on pesticide products to improve labeling, making instructions clearer to prevent product misuse.
- Requiring more precise label instructions to ensure proper dosage per pet weight.
- Requiring clear markings to differentiate between dog and cat products, and disallowing similar brand names for dog and cat products. Similar names may have led to misuse.
- Requiring additional changes for specific products, as needed, based on product-specific evaluations.
- When new products are registered, granting only conditional, time-limited registrations to allow for post-marketing product surveillance. If there are incidents of concern associated with the product, EPA will take appropriate regulatory action.
- Restricting the use of certain inert ingredients that EPA finds may contribute to the incidents.
- Launching a consumer information campaign to explain new label directions and to help users avoid making medication errors.
Furthermore, the EPA recommends that pet owners very carefully follow the label instructions on any pesticide products. Specifically, they recommend:
- Consult your veterinarian about the best way to protect your pets from fleas and ticks and whether pesticides are even needed.
- ·Use extra care before use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products.
- If you use a spot-on product or any other pesticide on your pet, carefully read and follow the product label.
- Use flea and tick control products only on the animal specified by the product label - for example, dog products for dogs only and cat products for cats only.
- Follow any label prohibitions against use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown sensitivity to pesticide products. Apply only the amount indicated for the size of the animal being treated.
- Do not apply to kittens or puppies unless the product label specifically allows this treatment. Pay attention to the age restrictions for puppies and kittens on the label.
- Monitor your pet for side effects or signs of sensitivity after applying the product, particularly when using the product on your pet for the first time. Do not apply spot-ons to pets known to be sensitive to pesticide products.
- If your pet experiences an adverse reaction, immediately bathe the pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water.
- Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes). Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. You will want to have the instructions at hand, as well as contact information for the manufacturer.
You can read more about the EPA’s analysis and intended action at their web site: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/petproductseval.html
The EPA’s Recommendations for pet owners can be found here:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/flea-tick.htm
See our report about the announcement of this study for a description of the pesticide products involved.