Sleuth the Reporter Dog trusts his veterinarian for the best advice on flea control.  But, he saw an article stating that the EPA was concerned about adverse reactions from flea products.   So, as usual, Sleuth turned to the Veterinary News Network for the right answers!

1) During 2008, the EPA recorded more than 44,000 adverse events associated with all flea products.  However, they did not differentiate between mild skin irritations and more serious reactions.

2) Many over-the-counter (OTC) products can cause problems, especially if used incorrectly.  Although not proven, it is believed that most reactions come from OTC products.

3) Moreover, there is no confirmed connection between the use of any flea product and the reported reactions.  The EPA is relying on information passed on by consumers.

4) Manufacturers of these pesticides are required by law to report any adverse events to the EPA.  One manufacturer (Merial) states that their internal reporting system has not shown any increase in problems with their product, Frontline®.

5) Another manufacturer, Hartz, believes their products are often unfairly blamed because of their familiar brand name.

6) When using any flea or tick product, always follow label instructions and your veterinarian’s guidelines.   Do not use dog products on cats.

7) Save any packaging until you are sure your pet has shown no signs of reactions.

8) Trust your veterinarian to provide the best information to you.  They understand how flea products work and how to handle any potential problems.

 

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

PetSmart Voluntarily Recalls Dentley's Beef Hooves

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Phoenix, AZ, Nov 4, 2009 - PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) is voluntarily recalling two Dentley's Beef Hoof products for potential salmonella contamination. The products were manufactured by Pet Carousel, Inc. in Sanger, Calif. 

The recalled products include only the following types of Dentley's Beef Hooves purchased between Oct. 2, 2009 and Nov. 3, 2009:

Dentley's Bulk Cattle Hoof UPC# 73725703323
Dentley's 10 Pack Beef Hooves UPC# 73725736055

No other products are included in this recall.

The affected products were shipped from the Pet Carousel plant to three PetSmart distribution centers in Ottawa, Ill.; Groveport, Ohio and Newnan, Ga.; and then shipped directly to certain PetSmart stores.  Although the affected product was not shipped to every store, as a precautionary measure PetSmart immediately recalled the product from all of its US stores and instituted a register block to prevent any product from being inadvertently scanned and sold.  In addition, PetSmart removed the product from the PetSmart.com Web site and notified PetPerks customers with valid e-mail addresses in the PetSmart database who purchased the affected products.

Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called salmonella. Most persons infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some individuals, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Many dogs do not show clinical signs of salmonella. However, when they do, they often have diarrhea or other signs of systemic infections.

Customers who purchased the recalled products should discontinue use immediately and return the product to any PetSmart store for a complete refund or exchange. Customers who have concerns about their health or their pet's health should consult a medical professional.  For additional information about the recall, customers can visit  www.fda.gov .

For a source of natural chew products, manufactured by a holistic company and made in the United States, follow this link.

Updated 12/23/2009