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Flea and tick treatments may be toxic to pets and families
Hot Topics
Flea and tick treatments may be toxic to pets and families
Hot Topics
The Natural Resources Defense Council has a simple piece of advice for pet owners when it comes to fleas and ticks.
Don’t try to find the strongest product, apply it once and be done with it. The treatment may be toxic to more than the fleas.
A new report by the nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental group finds there can be dangerously high levels of two carcinogenic neurotoxins on a pet’s fur after using ordinary flea collars. And each time the animal cleans itself or a child pets the animal, there could be exposure to these chemicals.
The group has launched a new campaign called Green Paws to find flea-control products that don’t risk the health of your pet, your children or you.
The Green Paws product guide — which ranks 125 products according to their safety level — is at www.greenpaws.org/products.php. There is also a report called Poisons On Pets II at www.nrdc.org/health/poisonsonpets.
In general, the organization is trying to get people to ask the EPA to ban two chemicals — propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos — from home pet products.
The NRDC’s report, Poison on Pets II, finds children are particularly at risk from these pesticides because their neurological and metabolic systems are still developing and they are most likely to put their hands in their mouths after petting an animal.
The report also found levels of propoxur found on the fur of dogs and cats wearing flea collars were up to 1,000 times higher than the EPA’s acceptable levels for children, and up to 500 times higher for adults.
Even two weeks after a collar is first put on, the report found unsafe levels of pesticide residue. And households with multipal pets wearing flea collars are even more at risk.
After the NRDC issued a similar report in 2000, six pesticides were banned in pet products. But the NRDC claims products with propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos are still being sold.
Instead of highly toxic chemicals, the NRDC suggests using a flea comb, regularly bathing the animals, and vacuuming and washing bedding regularly. If a chemical-based flea product is necessary, it recommends a pill. Talk to your vet.
SICS offering $20 male cat neuters
The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals is offering $20 male cat neuters on Wednesday, May 13, for pet owners with incomes of less than $20,000. That price also includes the rabies vaccination. Appointments and advance payment is required.
SICSA also offers low-cost spay/neuter surgeries throughout the year for amimals of low- and middle-income families. An application must be completed with proof of income and your spay/neuter fee paid before your appointment will be scheduled.
For information and application, visit www.sicsa.org or call (937) 294-6505.
Dog obedience session begins May 4
Gem City Dog Obedience Club starts its third training session of the year during the week of May 4. The session runs for eight weeks and includes classes in agility, conformation, freestyle, obedience and rally. Visit www.GCDOC.com for more information.
18th Furry Skurry set for Saturday
The 18th annual Furry Skurry, a 5K dog walk to raise money for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, will be held Saturday, May 9, at Miami Valley South Health Center, Interstate 675 and Wilmington Pike. Check-ins start at
8:30 a.m. Walk begins at 10 a.m. Contests will be held for best kisser, best pet trick and look-a-like.
Pets should be leashed (no retractable leashes), licensed animals that are spayed or neutered, and have up-to-date vaccinations. Walkers should clean up after their pets. Water will be available in community-style bowls for pets.
To register, visit www.humanesocietydayton.org. Adults and teenagers are $25, children 12 and younger are free. Registration at the event is $35 with children 12 and younger free.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2248 or ldenger@Dayton
DailyNews.com.
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8:53 AM, 6/20/2009
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