With the weather getting warm and humid, pet owners have to take special precautions to prevent their pets from flea and tick bites during outdoor activities that may cause skin allergies or other discomforts. Pets carrying parasites may also put their owners at the risk of getting flea or tick bites that would cause flea allergy dermatitis or tick fever.
The Consumer Council surveyed 40 flea and tick spot-on products in the market and found some labels missing detailed information such as the applicable age and/or weight ranges of pets, as well as usage restrictions on specific animals which could lead to misuse of the products. Since only directions for use in English were available on some labels, consumers not conversant with this language may have difficulty using them.
Pets bitten by fleas could suffer from flea allergy dermatitis. Constant scratching of infected spots may cause permanent hair loss and other skin problems. Flea bites can also lead to anemia. Ticks may transmit tick fever which can cause symptoms such as drowsiness and loss of appetite.
In general, pet owners should apply flea and tick spot-on products regularly to the neck or shoulder areas of their pets to kill fleas, ticks or other ectoparasites. However, a significant number of cases were lodged with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the adverse reactions in pets after using spot-on products. Such cases included adverse conditions on pets' skin, digestive and nervous systems, and sometimes deaths. Therefore, the EPA has been working with relevant authorities and organisations to carry out follow-up investigation.
It was reported after the investigations that small puppies weighed between 10 and 20 lbs and dogs under the age of 3 were more likely to show adverse reactions to flea and tick spot-ons. In some misuse cases, pet owners were found deliberately having applied products specifically for large dogs on a number of small breed dogs to save cost; some might have overestimated the weight of their pets and used dosage higher than necessary. Some consumers misapplied products for dogs to cats, leading their pets' death. Flea and tick spot-ons containing permethrin, cyphenothrin and phenothrin were involved in some cases.
After reviewing the labels of 40 samples, the Council found that 10 of them had no indication on the age and/or body weight for the application of the products. This would increase the risk of misuse. For those indicated pet age restriction, the lowest age limit ranged from 6 weeks to 16 weeks. Different products also have different definition on pet size even for the same type of animals. Consumers should read product descriptions carefully to make appropriate choices.
23 samples surveyed carried bilingual directions for use, with the remaining 17 sample came with English directions only. Areas of the body recommended for product application vary from product to product. For instance, some can be applied only to the back or the neck areas of the pets which are hard to reach by themselves; while other products claimed to be made of natural ingredients and could be applied to the entire body of the pets. Pet owners should always read directions thoroughly for correct application of the product.
Permethrin and cyphenothrin were not found in any of the 40 samples. 3 dog flea and tick spot-on products were found to contain phenothrin and carry labels in English giving warning against application to cats. Consumers who keep both cats and dogs should pay special attention to the ingredients of the spot-ons. A small amount of these chemicals may trigger severe reactions on cats. In view of the serious consequences of misuse, the Council opined that relevant warning in Chinese should be added to the label so that pet owner could be more effectively alerted.
In case of adverse reactions sustained by the pets after using spot-ons, it is desirable for pet owners to contact the suppliers immediately for first aid advice and the details of ingredients of the products that would help the veterinarians give proper treatment. However, the Council found that only a few samples contain contact information of the local supplier. Obviously it has to be improved.
In recent years, a number of overseas countries including the United States, Canada and Australia have been actively examining and tightening their regulations on anti-flea products to ensure the safety of pets and pet owners. In addition to submitting clinical trial reports of the products, manufacturers are also required to monitor and report all adverse incidents. In Hong Kong, the Department of Health also has in place a mechanism for reporting adverse drug reactions.
Pet owners are advised to follow the safety tips below when treating their pets for removing fleas and ticks:
- Seek advice from a veterinarian and choose a flea or tick spot-on according to the age and weight of the pets;
- Always read the labels, expiry date, user instructions and precautions carefully before using the product;
- Before using a flea or tick spot-on product, always ensure that the pet's skin is intact without any wound. Avoid applying the product on wounds to minimise potential risks;
- Monitor the pets closely for adverse reactions after spot-on treatment. Consult veterinarian if the pets showed any signs of discomfort;
- Pet owners should wash their hands thoroughly after using a flea or tick spot-on product. Always keep the products out of children's reach and away from food and drinks.
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