The Unkown Dangers of Over the Counter Flea Products
All flea/tick products are NOT created equal
Anybody who is a pet owner knows that fleas can be very difficult to get rid of once your pet has brought them in the house. You see your dear pet itching and scratching. You try bathing them,with little or no result. You try vacuuming 50 times a day. You might have even looked for home remedies on the Internet. You try everything you can think of,until finally you give in and go to the nearest store and purchase a flea product. You thought about buying from the vet,but they are so expensive! They all work the same anyways,right?
WRONG!
Flea products sold in stores are usually much,much cheaper than the more expensive varieties that you would purchase through a vet. Often times, people living on a budget purchase the product in an effort to save money and help their pet at the same time. Over the counter flea products are (sadly) approved to be sold over the counter in grocery/department stores all over the world. Many people would assume that if the products were harmful,then they would be banned from shelves. However,this is very far from the actual reality of the situation. Many cats and dogs have become very sick,and have even died from toxins in flea and tick products.
My own cat was a victim of the Sergeants brand flea powder,so I speak from experience. Unfortunately he did not live through it,and passed away only 4 days after using it. I have also been told stories first hand from friends and acquaintances whose pets had serious reactions. The Internet is chock full of stories from other pet owners who have lost pets because of these flea sprays/powders. Even flea collars are risky,because some animals develop hair loss and extreme itching from the chemicals in them. Even in lab tests,animals have shown adverse reactions,and yet they still keep these poisons on the market!
The packages are labeled with warnings for humans to wash their hands after application and not to allow the product to come in contact with your skin,or children. So if flea treatments require such a warning for humans,how is it possibly safe for us to put it on our pets skin? The answer is: IT'S NOT SAFE!
Using over the counter flea control products can cause the following reactions in dogs/cats
Diarrhea
Upset stomach/unable to eat
Vomiting
Shaking/trembling
Confusion and blank look on face
Respiratory problems
Seizures
Dehydration
Kidney failure
Neurological problems (unable to hold normal posture while walking,twitching eyes,falling over)
Severe itching/burning
If your pet experiences any of these signs and symptoms after the use of flea products,immediately bathe the animal in dawn dish liquid,and rinse with lots of water. Since dawn is very good at cutting grease,it also is good at rinsing flea product residue from your pets body. Be sure and take your pet to the veterinarian after bathing it thoroughly.
If your pets has fleas and you must resort to medicating the animal,please spend the extra money and purchase frontline or advantage through your veterinarian. They are much safer for your pet,and also actually kill the fleas rather than killing your pet. It is well worth the extra money in the end!
