In
this article:
- Active Ingredients in Veterinarian Prescribed or Pet-Store Insect, Parasite Preventatives and Treatments;
- Why Would a Veterinarian Prescribe Something That was Not Good For Your Dog, Cat;
- What the EPA is Saying About Theses Products;
- Your Dog’s, Cat’s Best Defence;
- Why The Life Span of Our Dogs and Cats Has Declined Rather Than Increased Since the 1950’s;
- Overuse, Parasite Acquired Immunity and Loss of Efficacy;
- Typical Pesticides Used, Side Effects and Cautions;
- Do Your Own Research and If Your Risk Assessment Says You Must Use Chemical-Based Preventatives Take Appropriate Action to Offset The Toxins
- DIY Alternate Preventatives and Treatments - Natural, Herbal
Important
questions to consider….
- Should you use conventional chemical-based oral and/or topical preventatives and treatments obtained from your veterinarian or pet store, or;
- Should you adopt a holistic approach?
- If you do choose to use chemical-based preventatives should you be doing something to offset- the harm done to your dog’s, cat's system by the chemicals?
- And if so, what can you do?
The
option you choose can affect your companion animal’s health in many ways…
Before
you decide to put your dog or cat on any type of commercially manufactured flea, tick
heartworm, mange or other parasite prevention there are some things you should consider...
Active Ingredients in Veterinarian
Prescribed or Pet-Store Insect, Parasite Preventatives and Treatments
The
active ingredients in chemical-based preventatives and treatments are strong
pesticides. While these products are
marketed and sold to keep your dog, cat free of parasites (i.e. heartworm,
fleas, ticks and works) and related diseases (i.e. lime disease from ticks, heartworm
from mosquito) the active ingredients in these products can do more harm than
good..
Conventional
commercially manufactured parasite/insect preventatives - off-the-shelf or
veterinarian-prescribed, include a warning not to touch the product with your
bare hands and/or to wash your hands/skin immediately after contact.
If
you take a second to consider the warning it should trouble you that the
substance that is intended to remain on your dog’s, cat's skin/fur or be orally
ingested by your dog/cat is not safe for you to touch. Unfortunately the majority
of commercially produced products (oral and topical preventatives) - designed
to protect your dog from fleas, ticks, heartworm, worms and other parasites,
contain powerful chemical-based pesticides and other toxic / carcinogenic
ingredients. Sure these chemicals kill parasites, but the problem is they also
put your dog’s and cat's health at grave risk.
Pet stores and veterinarians (modern veterinarian medicine as opposed to holistic veterinarian medicine) sell many products to help control fleas, ticks, worms. Any of these products that are chemical based pose an immediate and ongoing threat to the health of your companion animal. Not only are the chemical-based active ingredients in these products health threatening, but as well many of the other ingredients (i.e. artificial colours, foaming agents, suspension agents, etc. are known to cause respiratory problems, hair loss, skin irritation, tremors, vomiting, permanent nerve damage, liver failure, cancer and death.
According to the American Veterinary Medical
Association, 65% of adverse drug reactions and 48% of all reported deaths
resulting from drug reactions are caused by heartworm preventatives.
![]() |
Examples of Spot-on Flea, Tick Preventatives |
- Topical Interventions:
- Flea Collars;
- Direct Spray-on Applications for Dogs and Cat;
- Topically Applied Drops (also known as ‘spot on’);
- Shampoo;
- Household Carpet, Upholstery and Yard Sprays.
- Ingested Interventions:
- Pills, Tablets, Injections.
![]() |
Examples of Heartworm Preventatives |
You also need
to understand that just because a product is labelled as ‘all natural’ does not
mean that the product is safe. All
natural is NOT a regulated term. So you have to read the ingredients and verify
that the ingredients are herbal, homeopathic, and/or 100% derived from natural
sources such as neem oil, real lemon, other plant extracts, does not contain
chemical based preservatives and additives.
You can read
more here.
![]() |
Examples of Flea and Tick Collars |
This
presents a confusing situation at best as you are purchasing these products not
to harm your dog, but instead to protect your dog. If for example, you reside
in an area where heart worm is virulent you may have to put your dog on
chemical based preventative. But if the area you live-in has a relatively low
incidence of infection you may decide it is better to use natural-based
preventions - either topical or ingested or a combination of both.
To
truly protect your dog’s health you need to do a little homework…
Why
Would a Veterinarian Prescribe Something That was Not Good For Your Dog, Cat
Not
out of intention to harm your dog or cat – that is for sure, but you need to
understand that…
Just
as with Modern Medicine for Humans, practitioners of conventional modern
veterinary medicine study and train to:
- Understand and expertly perform standard and emergency medicine;
- Modern medicine is designed to address illness and disease post development;
- Modern Medicine is designed to react to and treat acquired conditions, it is not designed to strategically enable and maintain overall health and well being.
- They study modern-day medicines (most of which are chemical-based) are used to treat a condition;
- They do not study the components of that medicine, its active ingredients and possible hazards - short and long term, of those ingredients on the body;
- They do not study how to naturally treat the condition and build up immunity from the inside out using, diet/nutrition and alternate, natural preventatives, and;
- Just as with veterinarian prescribed dog food, manufacturers of the product (in this case insect and parasite preventatives and treatments) provide course material to the University Veterinary Sciences course.
- The end result is that the majority of veterinarian students do not have the opportunity - during their standard course, to study objective non-bias data, results and alternate methods.
![]() |
Examples of Flea and Tick Shampoo |
In addition, once the student becomes a veterinarian the big pharmaceutical companies (i.e.
Pfizer) aggressively and expertly market their products to veterinarians. The
marketing campaigns base their 'facts' on skewed data, incomplete reporting
(including side effects, testing results, comparisons and alternatives).
Unfortunately the pharmaceutical companies’ objective is not the health of your
pet; it is instead their desire for profit.
Many
of the veterinarians pushing these products on their clients are truly not
aware of the truth about these products - the short and long-term deleterious
side effects (immune system suppression, organ failure, cancer, etc.). And yes,
true veterinarians do make money off of the vending, and protocol around
sales of insect and parasite prevention and treatment products.
![]() |
Examples Carpet and Upholstery Spray/Bomb Carpet and Upholstery Treatments to Kill Fleas and Ticks |
What
the EPA is Saying
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pursuing a series of
actions to increase the safety of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick
control for cats and dogs. Immediately, EPA will begin reviewing labels and
determining which ones need stronger and clearer labeling statements. EPA will
also develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both
existing and new products. EPA expects these steps will help prevent adverse
reactions from pet spot-on products.
EPA is
coordinating with Health Canada and with the Food and Drug Administration’sCenter for Veterinary Medicine on these actions. Canada identified similar
concerns with incidents being reported from the use of spot-on products. The
two countries have very similar products registered and some of the same
registrants, and we often work together on review of data submissions. Some
flea and tick products are drugs that are regulated by the FDA. We are
collaborating with FDA as well because FDA regulates some similar products and
it made sense for EPA to learn about FDA's processes and learn from its
experience in post-market surveillance of incidents associated with animal
drugs”
Your Dog’s, Cat’s Best Defence
Your
dog’s, cat’s best defence against insects and parasites is a strong immune
system supported by a species appropriate diet.
Why
The Life Span of Our Dogs and Cats Has Declined Rather Than Increased Since the
1950’s
Statistics recorded by veterinary organizations
from the 1950's up to present day are very telling...
- The life-span of a companion dog in North America is now half of what it was in the 1950's;
- In the 1950's the average life-span of a golden retriever was 15 to 16 years, today the average is in the range of 8 to12 years;
- In 2005, 50% of older dogs died from cancer, and the number is on the rise.
This increase in cancer has a direct correlation
to:
- The popularization of commercially manufactured dry and wet dog, cat food, the subsequent increase of grains and cereal by-products in that food, along with chemical based additives and preservatives;
- Feeding dogs, cats species inappropriate diets creates a weak immune system and overall poor body function;
- The harmful, toxic and carcinogenic substances found in many commercially manufactured:
- Pet grooming products , i.e. shampoo, dental care products;
- Chemical based insect and parasite preventatives;
- Indoor pollutants (i.e. chemically based household cleaners), and;
- Outdoor pollutants like herbicides, pesticides, road-salt, and vehicle exhaust, etc.
- On a daily basis a dog may ingest, have surface contact with or inhale many toxins;
- Over time toxins build-up in a dog’s system - in order to process and eliminate the toxins the dog’s liver and kidney must work over-time;
- The toxins also:
- Interfere with the endocrine system;
- Destroy the natural healthy balance of the blood PH level, etc.
- And as the load becomes too large to process:
- The toxins continue to build, and;
- The body’s organs begin to wear out;
- The immune system becomes compromised;
- This process of burden and wear occurs quicker in most dogs than in a human as an adult dog is typically smaller than an adult human - their organs are smaller too!
As
a dog’s system becomes burdened the dog may develop chronic health issues, for
example skin and coat problems, ear infections, eye and nose problems (runny eyes/nose), intermittent diarrhea or vomiting.
Eventually when the dogs system is no longer able to process/remove any of the
toxic load more serious health issues develop (for example fatty tumours);
In addition
to all of the above:
- Pharmaceutical companies aggressively market veterinarians to over-inoculate on an annual basis and add new and unnecessary inoculations.
- Inoculations contain toxins and immune system suppressors.
- While the immune system is suppressed the dog/cat is at an increased risk of acquiring disease, illness and parasites.
This series of factors – created by mankind, and
foisted upon our companion animals - produced a great and irresistible opportunity
for both pesticide and pharmaceutical companies to make huge profits at the expense of our animal's health.
Overuse, Parasite Acquired Immunity
and Loss of Efficacy
Another very
important aspect to consider - the synthetic compounds commonly used in the
off-the-shelf flea collars, sprays and drops have a tendency to lose their
efficacy after continued use - the fleas develop immunity to the chemical
compounds. So, your dog can end up exposed to these harsh chemicals without any
benefit!
Typical Pesticides Used, Side Effects
and Cautions
The following
chart provides some examples of the synthetic compounds typically found
in off-the-shelf and veterinarian prescribed parasite preventative medications
- topical and oral.
Use great
caution when applying any of these substances topically on dogs and cats with broken or
irritated skin.
You will notice in the cautions column of the table below that
many of these substances/products should not be used on sick, aging,
underweight dogs or cats, dogs on medication etc. The main reason is that all of these
substances listed in the table below do compromise your dog’s and cat's immune system.
For a dog or cat that already has a depressed immune system the additional toxic load
of these pesticides can be disastrous in the short and long term.
Used In (examples) |
Active Ingredient | Target | Side Effects | Cautions |
Proventic | Amitraz | Ticks, Mange, Scabies | Can cause high blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low blood pressure (hypotension), low body temperature (hypothermia), sedation | Commonly used in mange dips and tick collars. Do not use on dogs under 12 weeks of age, do not use on aged, sick, medicated, pregnant or nursing dogs |
Frontline | Arylheterocycles (most common - Fipronil) | Fleas, Ticks | Can cause irritation - I was unable to find details on what was meant by ‘irritation’…i.e. skin irritation? | Do not use on dogs under 8 weeks of age, sick, medicated or aged dogs |
Vectra | Dinotefuran | Fleas | Can cause immune system toxicity. | Do not use on debilitated, aged, medicated, pregnant or nursing dogs, or dogs known to be sensitive to pesticides, aged, sick, pregnant or nursing |
Program, Preventic | IGRs (methoprene, fenoxycarb, pyriproxyfen) IDIs (lufenuron, diflubenzuron) |
Fleas | Can cause vomitting, diarrhea | Read the label - age of puppies products can be used on varies, do not use on aged, sick , medicated, pregnant or nursing dogs |
Advantage II | Imidacloprid | Can cause drooling, skin irritation and may cause miscarriages and skeletal deformities. | Do not use on dogs that are: aged, nursing or pregnant, sick or under 7 weeks of age. | |
Heartguard, | Ivermectin | Heartworm, | Neurotoxicity - depression of the nervous system followed by ataxia. Dogs with defects in P-glycoprotien can suffer severe poisoning | Most Collies cannot tolerate this substance and should not be given meds that include Ivermectin. Do not use on dogs under 6 weeks of age, aged, sick, medicated or underweight |
Interceptor, Sentinel | Milbemycin oxime | Roundworms, Hookworms | Can cause stupor, tremor and ataxia | Not to be used on Collies or other herding breeds. Often used in products that include Ivermectin. Check the label of the specific product for puppy age restriction. Do not use on breeding, pregnant dogs or dogs with epilepsy |
Capstar | Nitenpyram | Blow Flies, Fleas, Maggots | Can cause Lethargy/depression, vomiting, itching, decreased appetite, diarrhea, hyperactivity, lack of coordination, trembling, seizures, panting, allergic reactions including hives, vocalization, salivation, fever, and nervousness | Should not be used on pregnant and nursing dogs |
Various Products | Pyrantel pamoate | Roundworms, Hookworms |
Can cause facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden diarrhea,
vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma.
|
Usually used in combination with Ivermectin |
Bio Spot Flea and Tick Spray or Spot on Flea Control | Pyrethrins |
Fleas, Ticks, Lice, Mites, Mosquito |
Can cause tremors, depression, convulsions, death
|
Do not use on dogs that are aged, sick, medicated, pregnant or nursing. Do not use spray on puppies under 12 weeks of age, do not use oral tablets on dogs under 6 months of age |
K9 advantix II | Pyrethroids |
Fleas and Ticks |
Can cause drooling, tremors, vomiting, seizures
|
Do not use on dogs that are: aged, nursing or pregnant, sick or under 7 weeks of age. |
Various Products | Praziquantel | Tapeworms |
Can cause drooling, sudden diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy,
staggering, vomiting
|
|
Revolution | Selemectin | Heartworm, Fleas, Mange, Mites, Ticks, Parasites |
Can cause hair loss
One of my dogs and one of my cats had severe/chronic hair loss
resulting from use of Revolution.
|
Do not use on puppies under 6 weeks of age |
Comfortis, Trifexis |
Spinosad | Fleas |
Can cause loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting
|
Do not use on pregnant dogs or dogs with epilepsy, dogs under 14 weeks of age |
There
are many natural, herbal, homeopathic treatments and remedies that you can use
in lieu of the chemical-based options. When used in tandem with a truly good
diet the need for chemical-based remedies and treatments is greatly reduced…
- A healthy dog is much less attractive to parasites and insects;
- A healthy dog’s natural system is much better equipped to fight-off any parasites.
Do
Your Own Research and If Your Risk Assessment Says You Must Use Chemical-Based
Preventatives Take Appropriate Action to Offset The Toxins
Do your own quick risk assessment...
This article will take you through the risk assessment for heartworm.
Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services
Do you need holistic advice to support your companion animal's health and well being? Become a client. Book your consultation. My professional holistic nutrition, wellness and behavioral services are available to you:
🌿 Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕 🐈
🌿 Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕
My Holistic Client Services are Available Worldwide:
🇺🇸 USA
🇨🇦 Canada
🇬🇧 UK and other European countires
🇦🇺 Australia and other Oceania countires
🇭🇰 Hong Kong and other Asian countries
🇨🇷 Costa Rica and other Central American countries
🇪🇺 European countries
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago and other South America countries
🇿🇦 South Africa and other African countries
🇸🇪 Sweden and other european countries
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Available Holistic Consultations and Sessions:
📱 FaceTime
📱 Facebook video or voice calling
💻 Skype
📞 Phone
📧 Email
🚶🏻♀️ In-Person
Menu of Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕🐈
For more information go here.
✅ Maintain Health, and;
✅ Address Health Issues and Conditions:
✓ Treatment and Remedy
✓ Pre-Surgery holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Surgery holistic healing protocols
✓ Pre-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Natural Insect and Parasite Prevention
✓ Natural Treatment for Insect, Parasite Infestation, Co-Infection, Disease
✅ Custom Designed Whole Food Diets - raw or gently cooked, and;
✅ Advice and Recommendation:
✓ Premade Diets - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried
✓ Supplemental Fresh Foods - raw, gently cooked
✓ Super foods
✓ Treats - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried, gently cooked
✓ Herbs
✓ Alternative Medicines
Menu of Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕
For more information go here.
In-person Sessions - available locally
Voice and Video Sessions - available worldwide
✓ Obedience Training
✓ Behavior Modification
✓ Psychological Rehabilitation
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.
✓ I choose to maintain my objectivity in selecting best-solutions for my individual client's needs.
Contact me
karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld
- Then if you decide it is best to put your dog on heartworm, off-set the damaging effects of the toxic chemicals in the heartworm preventative by:
- Feeding species appropriate food, and;
- Augmenting your dog’s daily diet as indicated in the article.
For fleas, ticks, worms
etc. you should take the same approach – if risk assessment indicates you have
no choice but to go with chemical-based rather than natural interventions,
off-set the damaging effects of the toxic chemicals in the preventative by:
- Feeding species appropriate food, and;
- Augmenting your dog’s daily diet as indicated in the article.
Alternate Preventatives and Treatments
- Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic
The
best approach is a holistic approach…
Step One - Boost Your Dog’s, Cat’s
Immune System and Clear out Toxins
This
helps your dog, cat naturally fend-off parasites;
Step Two - Make your Dog’s, Cat’s Skin
and Blood Less Tasty To Insects and Parasites
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar – benefits and dosage;
Fresh Garlic - benefits, preparation and dosage;
Fresh Lemon - benefits, preparation and dosage.
Step Three - Use all Natural Products for Prevention and Treatment
- Lemon – A Safe, Natural Mosquito Repellent for Dogs – read here;
- DIY Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic Flea, Tick, Mosquito Spot-On and Collar Drops for Dogs and Cats - read here.
- DIY Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic Flea, Tick, Mosquito Repellent Sprays, Rubs, Dips for Dogs and Cats - read here.
Holistic Support
Holistic Wellness Services and Holistic Behaviorist Services
Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services
Do you need holistic advice to support your companion animal's health and well being? Become a client. Book your consultation. My professional holistic nutrition, wellness and behavioral services are available to you:
🌿 Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕 🐈
🌿 Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕
My Holistic Client Services are Available Worldwide:
🇺🇸 USA
🇨🇦 Canada
🇬🇧 UK and other European countires
🇦🇺 Australia and other Oceania countires
🇭🇰 Hong Kong and other Asian countries
🇨🇷 Costa Rica and other Central American countries
🇪🇺 European countries
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago and other South America countries
🇿🇦 South Africa and other African countries
🇸🇪 Sweden and other european countries
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Available Holistic Consultations and Sessions:
📱 FaceTime
📱 Facebook video or voice calling
💻 Skype
📞 Phone
🚶🏻♀️ In-Person
Menu of Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕🐈
For more information go here.
✅ Maintain Health, and;
✅ Address Health Issues and Conditions:
✓ Treatment and Remedy
✓ Pre-Surgery holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Surgery holistic healing protocols
✓ Pre-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Vaccine holistic support protocols
✓ Natural Insect and Parasite Prevention
✓ Natural Treatment for Insect, Parasite Infestation, Co-Infection, Disease
✅ Custom Designed Whole Food Diets - raw or gently cooked, and;
✅ Advice and Recommendation:
✓ Premade Diets - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried
✓ Supplemental Fresh Foods - raw, gently cooked
✓ Super foods
✓ Treats - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried, gently cooked
✓ Herbs
✓ Alternative Medicines
Menu of Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕
For more information go here.
In-person Sessions - available locally
Voice and Video Sessions - available worldwide
✓ Obedience Training
✓ Behavior Modification
✓ Psychological Rehabilitation
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.
✓ I choose to maintain my objectivity in selecting best-solutions for my individual client's needs.
Contact me
karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld