Fleas are a common problem for dog owners. Flea pesticides may help to control fleas, but some may pose a risk to your pet's health. Dogs may suffer from certain types of cancers as a direct result of the chemicals in flea-control products.
-
Identification
-
Flea pesticides are products that are designed to help kill fleas. These pesticides may be on flea collars or flea sprays. Dogs that are exposed to pesticides from flea products may be at an increased risk of developing certain cancers. This problem can arise from long-term use of a flea pesticide or if the dog is pregnant.
Fipronil
-
Fipronil is a pesticide that is often used in termite control products, cockroach baits and flea control products for pets. Laboratory tests revealed that animals that were exposed to Fipronil suffered from aggressive behavior and kidney damage, and had a drastic change in the function of the thyroid gland. Fipronil is classified as a carcinogen and has been found to cause thyroid cancer in dogs.
Topical Insecticides
-
According to the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, dogs that have been treated with flea dips or other forms of topical flea pesticides have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer. A study of household dogs that were treated with topical flea treatments one to two times per year showed that they had a 60 percent increase in the risk of bladder cancer.
Lawn Pesticides
-
Lawn pesticides that are used for flea control may increase the risk of canine bladder cancer, according to the Journal of the American Veterinary Association. In a recent study performed by Purdue University, the cases of 83 Scottish terriers that had recently been diagnosed with bladder cancer were studied. The risk of cancer was discovered to be four to seven times more likely in dogs that were exposed to lawn flea pesticides. Scottish terriers are a breed of dog that has a genetic predisposition to bladder cancer, suggesting the breed is more sensitive to environmental substances such as pesticides.
Considerations
-
In order to avoid adverse effects from flea pesticides, veterinarians recommend using pesticides only in dogs with severe flea infestation. If possible, use natural alternatives to control fleas and vacuum frequently. This is a safe and effective alternative to flea pesticides that should have no long-term health consequences for you or your dog.
-