Flea Medicine Problems

Controlling fleas is an important part of keeping your dog healthy. Unfortunately, many of the products for controlling fleas can be highly toxic to dogs. Some dogs handle flea treatments without incident. Others can suffer muscle paralysis, seizures and even death, according to the Humane Society. There are many ways to rid your pet of fleas that don't involve dangerous chemicals, though these methods often take significantly more time and persistence. Even if your dog has been treated successfully with pesticides in the past, you should still monitor him closely during subsequent treatments.

  1. Chemicals

    • According to the Humane Society, the pesticides used in flea treatments include pyrethrins, organophosphates and carbamates. All of these chemicals are neurotoxins and are potentially dangerous to pets, children and adults after extended exposure. Cumulative exposure causes higher risks because the chemicals build up in the body over time.

    Effects

    • According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), pyrethrins, organophosphates and carbamates can cause significant irreparable damage to the nervous system. Children's developing nervous systems are particularly susceptible to damage. The NRDC reports that many companion animals have been injured and killed by exposure to these chemicals, though exact numbers are not known.

    EPA Evaluation

    • The Environmental Protection Agency labels pyrethrins as "likely to be carcinogenic to humans" if orally ingested. However, the EPA did not start regulating pet products until 1996. Many products on the market today still have not been subjected to EPA testing. According to the EPA website, it is currently pursuing civil actions against flea and tick pesticide manufacturers, and will be evaluating the safety of these products over the next few years.

    Research

    • In 2008, the Center for Public Integrity conducted a study of 1,600 pet deaths reported to the EPA over the previous five years. The study concluded that pyrethrin treatments accounted for "more than half of 'major' pesticide pet reactions," over that five-year period. Non-pyrethrin-based treatments accounted for 6 percent of major incidents.

    In Case of Emergency

    • If you have treated your dog with a pesticide flea treatment and notice excessive salivating, shaking, dilated pupils, lethargy, vomiting or skin irritation, consult your veterinarian immediately. According to the website Hartz Victims, washing your pet thoroughly with dish washing soap will remove the oil-based chemicals and can halt adverse reactions. However, if this does not resolve symptoms, an emergency visit to the veterinarian may be necessary.