With more pets dying from overdoses of pest-prevention products, the federal agency that oversees the pesticides is mandating tighter regulations on labeling and dosage recommendations.
The Environmental Protection Agency started looking into allegations of inadequate or confusing labels on flea and tick products last year. In 2008, the agency saw a 53 percent increase in reported pet deaths because of the sprays and creams.
But the products, like Enforcer Flea Drops and Frontline, aren’t contaminated; owners are just overdoing it. They’re unsure how much to give a dog versus a cat, or a larger animal versus a smaller one, said EPA administrator Steve Owens.
Most of the products are made with ingredients such as permethrin, which a study in Veterinary Journal linked to side effects like seizures, hair loss, vomiting and death among cats who were treated with excessive doses.
The EPA will review product labels and insist that manufacturers clarify dosage-by-weight instructions, and ensure that products for cats and dogs have entirely different names.
They’ll also revamp preapproval testing for new products.
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Article courtesy aolnews.com
