ADVICE FROM DR. KAREN BECKER, DMV
Don’t Fall for This Mistake with Your Pet’s Pest Control…
Bayer Animal Health pharmaceutical company released new versions of their Advantage® and K9 Advantix® ‘spot on’ flea products.
According to Bayer, these new formulas will kill fleas at all life stages and prevent flea infestation in the home.
The older formulations of these products contained only an adulticidal. The new versions will have larvicidal and ovicidal properties with the addition of the chemical pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator (IGR) that prevents the development of flea eggs and kills flea larvae as well.
Pyriproxyfen targets the hormone pathways of insects, but does not affect mammals, according to Bayer.
According to Peter Ryan, vice president and head of the company’s Companion Animal Business Unit:
“Adding pyriproxyfen to the original formulations of Advantage® Topical Solution and K9 Advantix® gives an added layer of protection to our customers’ pets and their pets’ surroundings. It interrupts the flea life cycle at multiple stages, and prevents reinfestation.”
Sources: dvm360 January 31, 2011
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Dr. Becker’s Comments: |
I guess Bayer Animal Health’s idea of a ‘next generation’ flea and tick product is one that contains even more chemical pesticides than previous formulations.
By the way – please don’t be fooled by the benign-sounding description of pyriproxyfen as an ‘insect growth regulator.’
It’s a chemical pesticide. ‘Growth regulator’ is a euphemism for killing agent.
As an active ingredient in spot-on flea and tick formulas, pyriproxyfen is a newer chemical and there aren’t many reports available on adverse effects. However, EPA tests of pyriproxyfen on rodents showed decreased body weight and toxicity in the offspring of animals exposed to the chemical.
EPA Advisory for Spot-on Products Remains in Effect
One year ago, the EPA issued an advisory about spot-on products similar to the new Bayer formulas. These products are for application to the neck or back of dogs and cats as a flea/tick preventive.
The advisory was issued in response to a significant increase in adverse reactions to spot-on products in 2008 over prior years.
Among the EPA’s findings:
- The majority of adverse reactions were seen with the first application in 10- to 20-pound dogs under 3 years old.
- Especially at risk were the following breeds: Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, Dachshund, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Bichon Frise.
- Products containing the chemicals cyphenothrin and permethrin were especially problematic for small breed dogs.
- Adverse reactions in cats were often the result of the cat either being treated with a product intended for dogs, or through exposure to a treated dog. Cats treated with products intended for dogs had a high rate of serious reactions and fatalities.
- Symptoms for both dogs and cats included skin redness, itching, hair loss, sores and ulcers. GI tract symptoms included salivation, diarrhea and vomiting. Nervous system symptoms included lethargy, nervousness, movement problems, tremors and seizure.
The EPA also noted inert (inactive) ingredients in spot-on products should be assumed to contribute to toxicity. In addition, the agency found that dosage ranges were too wide in some cases and product labeling was insufficient in many instances.
So Does the EPA Advisory Mean ‘Next Generation’ Chemical Flea and Tick Control Products Will Be Safer?
I’m afraid not.
The EPA advisory doesn’t require Bayer Animal Health or the manufacturers of other spot-on flea and tick control agents to reformulate their products. The agency is merely suggesting certain manufacturers tweak dosage ranges and improve product labeling.
The new Advantage® and K9 Advantix® are probably good examples of the direction these products are headed – Bayer added another pesticide into the formulas.
With 44,000 reported adverse reactions including 600 deaths in 2008 – which represented almost a 60 percent increase over the prior year – it’s my firm belief the risks of these products are too great to warrant routine, monthly use.
In fact, there is no chemical based pesticide that doesn’t have the potential for side effects. It doesn’t matter whether the product is in pill form, in a dip, a shampoo or a collar, it’s not entirely safe.
Remember that what goes on your pet also gets inside him through absorption or ingestion.
Safe, Effective Solutions for Flea and Tick Control
Your first line of defense should be a safe, natural pest deterrent that is chemical-free. I recently announced just such a product called Natural Flea and Tick Defense.
Natural Flea and Tick Defense contains no synthetic chemicals — only all-natural, safe Brazilian oils and pure water. It has a pleasant smell, is non-sticky, and repels not only fleas and ticks, but also flies and mosquitoes.
Natural Flea and Tick Defense is available without a prescription and is safe to apply daily to your pet.
Other safe, natural pest repellents include:
- Cedar oil
- Natural, food-grade diatomaceous earth
- Fresh garlic — work with your holistic vet to determine a safe amount for your pet’s body weight
- Feeding your pet a balanced, species-appropriate diet. The healthier your dog or cat is, the less appealing she’ll be to parasites. A biologically appropriate diet supports a strong immune system.
- Bathing and brushing your pet regularly and performing frequent full-body inspections to check for parasite activity.
- Making sure your indoor and outdoor environments are unfriendly to pests.
If You MUST Use a Chemical Flea/Tick Control Product …
If you find yourself faced with no choice but to use a chemical pest preventive, I strongly urge you to take the following steps to reduce the health risk to your pet:
- Be very careful to follow dosing directions on the label, and if your pet is at the low end of a dosage range, step down to the next lowest dosage.
- Be extremely cautious with small dogs, especially if you own one of the breeds reported to be at high risk for adverse reactions. And do not, under any circumstances, apply dog product to your cat.
- Don’t depend exclusively on chemical treatments. Rotate natural preventives with chemical ones.
- Use only when your pet is in a high-risk environment (i.e. camping in a Lyme disease endemic area), then discontinue.
- Monitor your pet for symptoms and adverse reactions after you apply a chemical product – especially when using one for the first time.
- Consult your holistic vet about natural therapies that can help alleviate your pet’s toxic load.
Related Links:
- NEW! EPA Alerts Pet Owners to Dangers of Flea/Tick Products
- Could New Cases of “The Plague” Spread to Humans?
- Antibiotic Resistance and ‘Superbugs’ … How Safe is Your Pet?
Advantix is really, really good at keeping pests away. I swear by it, I use to apply it like a religious rite. However, this last year, I have cut way back on using it. During the hot months when the black/deer flies are in full force the dogs that are outside are going to have it applied. I think the benefit then outweighs the negative.
Being from the land where bugs grow larger than fruits and vegetables, I have not found any natural products that will defend against fleas as good as Advantix. At this time of year, it has to be applied religiously.
I have tried some of the herbal sprays, but with the GSD’s coat, it wasn’t too successful at getting the job done. Worked OK on the terror, but only briefly. I would need to buy a 50-gallon drum of the stuff.
Josie, what do you Texas folk use? You should be having the same type of problem about now.
Years ago, there was a product called Good News For Pets. It was a natural-ingredient liquid that you put on the dog’s food. It worked better than anything, and was great for coats and any type of skin allergy. I don’t think it is on the market anymore—can’t find it. It was a CA thing. It didn’t work 100%, but it helped reduce the use of topical treatments.
I used advantage on Zeus only when needed as well. Our town and homeowners association takes care of the neighborhood park – I’m not really sure what they use to kill the mosquitos and such. We have a large park that has a huge children’s playground.
The only wildlife that I have seen here are mostly rabbits and squirrels.
I use Burt’s Bees mosquito repellent whenever we go out for reenactment, I used this on Zeus as well, it works but it stinks.
My vet said not to use it as the manufacturer suggests, such as, if they say use every 4 weeks, use it every six weeks. She also suggests the same for the heartworm products. If you are paranoid, like I am about the pesticides and chemicals, you can get a good grade of a Milk Thistle and Dandelion Root product from your local health food store or a REALLY good one (not available in health food stores) called “Herbal Hepatox” from naturalreariing.com to help rid the liver of the toxins. After the application of the Advantix or dose of Heartguard, give 2 capsules 2 x per day for 2 weeks. Repeat this regime each time you repeat the applications. Also for natural insect control you can get 2 essential oils, Rose Geranium and Almond, and mix several drops of these with water in a spray bottle to help control those little buggers! I plan on using the Natural Flea and Tick Defense that Becker suggests along with the Rose Geranium and Almond oils. Applying one in the morning and the other in the evenings on the weeks they are bad.
OK, Guru Karen, please work on a formula for me. At this time of year even Advantix won’t last 4 weeks here, yet alone going longer. During the winter, I can go longer than 4-6 weeks. I’ll give the Natural Flea & Tick Defense a try. But if you would, please come up with a formula that I can put together. I need amounts that will knock out all of FL! The little buggers here are as strong as Julie’s deer!
I keep reading about adding garlic to their food. (Julie knows how much I love garlic!) I would even consider doing it, but again I need amounts. What I read says ask your vet for correct dosages. Well my vet recommends that little pill called Comfortis, so I seriously doubt she’ll go the garlic route. Comfortis absolutely will rid your pets of a flea problem, but at what potential damage to your dog? I won’t use it.
Karen, you are our tribes medicine woman/witch doctor all combined into one. Since neither of those names sounded appropriate (or nice), I decided that you are our tribe’s natural health guru!
Whoa! I didn’t realize that bugs we that bad in Florida! During the season here in IL I give one “Garlinase” tablet (available in health food stores) 2 x per day with their meals. I have not gone the fresh garlic clove route but I’ll put a call in to Dr. Becker and ask if there is a rule of thumb for fresh garlic for large dogs. Maybe a combination of both would be good. You might also try the food-grade diatomaceous earth. Messy, but seems to be effective here. There is also another product called “Cloud Nine” but you have to make it stronger than the directions say. Since you are using the Advantix all year long, I would really encourage you to get the Herbal Hepatox (to cleanse their liver from the toxins) from Marina at naturalrearing.com and give it continuously with a break for a week, on for 6 weeks, off for one. Also, after about 3 or 4 bottles of Herbal Hepatox, switch to a different brand of good grade toxin cleanser (with the milk thistle & dandelion root in it) for one bottle, then go back to the Hepatox. When I find my recipe for the Rose Geranium oil mix, I’ll post it. With a bug problem like you have there, I don’t know if it will work or not. I know it’s a lot of work but worth a try. And if giving the Garlinase and rotating the 3 repellents (Natural Flea & Tick Defense, food-grade diatomaceous earth, and the Rose Geranium/Almond oil) doesn’t work, you can always apply the advantix. I’ll do more research on this.
Karen,
Can you please start a new post when you find your Rose Geranium and Almond Oil recipe? I am getting overwhelmed by all the info.
Thank you, Mighty Guru! I like the idea of the Garlinase tablet since I can’t stand garlic!
What about some type of herbal liquid to stick in some Buddy Wash? (Need the right amount.)
How much Rose Geranium/Almond oil? I’ll look up Cloud Nine. Thank you!
Will do Julie.
Let me gather more info on Monday and then I’ll do a recap post.