Fleas can make your dog miserable, and even cause unpleasant allergic reactions. Most of the time, once you find out about the problem, your first reaction is to buy something to deal with it. However, that might not be the best idea. Some flea treatment medications can cause serious reactions if used incorrectly. Learn about the possible reactions to keep your pet healthy.
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Significance
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At least 1,600 pet deaths connected with spot-on type flea treatments where reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency between 2003 and 2008, according to the U.S. Humane Society. In total, about 25,000 pets had reactions to pyrethroid-type spot on treatments. Conventional over-the-counter flea treatments caused only about 10,500 incidents. The wrong flea treatment could pose a significant danger to your dog.
Considerations
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According to the EPA, small dogs are more likely to be affected by flea products than larger dogs, and they require more care in determining the correct dose. The weight of your small dog is a significant factor in how much of a given flea treatment you should use. Over-dosing your dog won't provide more flea protection, but it may cause serious side effects.
Types
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Some types of flea treatments are more likely to cause a reaction than others. Spot on treatments containing pyrethroids accounted for about half of the major pet pesticide reactions reported to the EPA, according to the Humane Society. Organophosphate insecticides and carbamates can also cause problems. Both of these substances, if ingested, may cause neurological damage in pets and children.
Symptoms
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If your dog is having a reaction to flea medication, his pupils may dilate. He also may appear non-reponsive, shake or quiver, and display excessive salivation. Skin irritation and vomiting may also occur. If you see any of these symptoms, get your pet to a veterinarian immediately. The neurological damage caused by some of these products is lasting and debilitating.
Misconceptions
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A misconception by many people is that over-the-counter products for flea control are completely safe. Yet many products currently on the market have not been reviewed by the EPA, which only started looking at the safety of pet products in the mid-1990s. The backlog of products currently on the market means that a given flea control treatment may not have been tested. Do your research to make sure you choose the right product for your dog.
Prevention/Solution
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To reduce the chances of a serious reaction, choose prescription products available from your veterinarian, rather than over-the-counter flea medications. Prescription medicines such as Frontline and Advantage can still cause reactions, but have undergone significantly more testing. Reactions are rare, and your veterinarian can give you advice on how to eliminate fleas without damaging your dog's health.
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