Health officials are alerting pet owners and veterinarians that certain flea and tick treatments might put dogs and cats at an increased risk of neurologic issues, including seizures. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the drugs are in the isoxazoline class and include
Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard and Simparica
.
Do topical flea treatments cause seizures in dogs?
FDA Warning About Flea & Tick Treatments
The affected products have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including muscle tremors, ataxia (the loss of full control of bodily movements), and
seizures in some dogs and cats
, the FDA reports.
Is S methoprene safe for dogs?
Since these biochemical processes do not occur in vertebrates, methoprene and most other JHAs
can be considered as rather safe for humans, pets and livestock
.
Is fipronil and methoprene safe for dogs?
While
generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, fipronil and methoprene can cause side effects in some animals
. Fipronil and methoprene should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug.
Can fipronil cause seizures in dogs?
Side effects of fipronil on dogs:
Nervous system damage – Fipronil is a neurotoxin, causing damage to the fleas’ nervous system.
It can have the same effect on your dog, causing symptoms such as convulsions, body twitches, loss of appetite, unsteady gait and other effects
.
What can trigger a seizure in a dog?
- Epilepsy.
- Heat Exhaustion.
- Nutritional imbalances such as thiamine deficiency.
- Low blood sugar levels.
- Liver disease.
- Tumors.
What is the safest flea medicine for dogs?
- Frontline Plus is an OTC product that uses fipronil and (S)-methoprene to attack fleas and ticks at every life stage. …
- Trifexis employs spinosad and milbemycin oxime to keep dogs protected from heartworms and intestinal parasites as well as fleas, but it does not work against ticks.
Can Fleas cause a dog to have seizures?
Bartonella. Bartonella is a common flea-transmitted illness in dogs and especially cats.
It is often associated with numerous conditions including heart disease, eye inflammation and seizures
.
Does Sentinel cause seizures in dogs?
It is true that
Sentinel can cause seizures in animals
. It is just one of the many side effects; vomiting, depression, lethargy, itchiness, hives, diarrhea, weight loss, poor coordination, seizures, hypersalivation, and weakness.
Can flea shampoo cause seizures in dogs?
Dogs and cats treated with certain flea and tick products might be at an increased risk for neurologic events including seizures
, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. Treatments in the isoxazoline class, which are intended to ward off flea and tick infestations, are affected by the alert.
What flea and tick medicine does not cause seizures?
Neurological Problems
All these flea and tick medications should be avoided in dogs with seizures. The only approved drug in the class for use in cats is
Bravecto
.
Is methoprene toxic?
Methoprene is of
very low toxicity to humans and other vertebrates
, and may be applied directly to pets, livestock and zoo animals for control of fleas, mites, and other parasites (reviews: Siddall, 1976, U.S.E.P.A.
How long does it take for methoprene to work?
Using S-Methoprene for Flea & Tick control
Studies of Frontline Plus have shown that between 98 and 100% of fleas are killed within
24 hours
of application, an outstanding level of efficacy and the reason many vets recommend this particular product.
What is dog methoprene?
Methoprene is
an antiparasitic active ingredient used in veterinary medicine in dogs, cats and livestock against a few external parasites (lice, flies, etc.)
. It is also used against agricultural and household pests.
Can fipronil cause seizures?
Clinical signs and symptoms reported after ingestion of fipronil by humans include sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, dizziness, agitation, weakness, and
tonic-clonic seizures
. Clinical signs of exposure to fipronil are generally reversible and resolve spontaneously.
How effective is methoprene?
The 24-hour efficacy against transplanted adult fleas in the treated group was about 100% for the first 3 weeks and gradually declined to
93.4% by week 6
.
What happens if a dog licks fipronil?
Most of the time poisoning cases of fipronil occur in dogs and cats due to accidental ingestion or licking the fipronil-containing product
. Fipronil elicits neurotoxicity in mammals by inhibition of GABAA-gated chloride channels, producing hyperexcitability of the central nervous system.
Is fipronil harmful to dogs?
Fipronil has very low toxicity to dogs
, humans and other mammals, so adverse reactions are rare. A review of side effects reported in Australia between 1996 and 2003 found that the most common side effect of using fipronil for dogs was skin irritation or hair loss at the application site.
Is fipronil safe for lactating dogs?
Fipronil, the active ingredient in Frontline spot-on flea and tick preventative. Insulin is
safe for use in pregnant dogs
, though vets recommend that diabetic dogs not be bred, as the disease is hereditary.
How much fipronil is toxic to dogs?
A NOAEL for oral toxicity of fipronil in the dog of
0.2 mg/kg/d
(calculated from daily oral administration for one year (Holmes 1992, 1993)) is substantially higher than a possible 0.13 mg/kg (or 0.15 mg/kg of spray formulation) every two to four weeks.
How can I prevent my dog from having seizures?
Reducing stress and limiting changes to your dog’s environment
can help to prevent seizures, as stress is known to ‘trigger’ seizures. Feeding your dog a healthy diet, keeping an eye on their blood sugar and getting them checked regularly by your daytime vet will also come in handy.
Are seizures in dogs common?
Seizures are not uncommon in dogs
. Some breeds are much more prone to having them than others, but all breeds can suffer from seizures at some point in their lives. Seizures in dogs may be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, age, hereditary problems, underlying disease, and more.
What can I give my dog after a seizure?
After dogs come out of a seizure,
a little all-natural vanilla ice cream, honey, or natural maple syrup
will help to raise their sugar levels back up. Follow with a protein such as little kibble, cheese stick, a spoonful of cottage cheese, chicken, etc. to help stabilize those sugar levels.
Which flea medicine is killing dogs?
ATLANTA — Thousands of dog owners worldwide blame a popular flea killer for harming their pets. Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland has obtained records showing dog owners believe the drug is connected to hundreds of pet deaths. The medication is called
Bravecto
.
What is the best flea and tick medicine for dogs with seizures?
Bravecto
works for three months and has by far the fastest flea-killing time compared to other oral flea products. I know several seizure-prone dogs that have safely taken Bravecto with no side effects.
What is the safest and most effective flea and tick treatment for dogs?
If chemical products are necessary for additional flea or tick control, NRDC recommends
s-methoprene or pyriproxyfen
, which are less toxic ingredients—but read the labels carefully because some products use them with other, more harmful pesticides.
