Should Dogs Sleep With Their Collar On
All veterinarians and dog trainers would agree thatthe collar is not designed to be a 24/7 accessory. Another good reason to remove it at night is nonstop wear could cause fur to break off leading to irritation or infection. The risk jumps if the collar frequently gets wet or if its a bit too tight.
Safest Flea Treatment For Cats
After learning all the ins and outs of flea collars, I decided that if I was going to get one for my cat, Id be sure to pick one that was a healthier choice than others.
When you weigh all the risks involved with flea collars, it does become possible to distinguish which options are safer for your cat.
Here are a few tips to help you sort through your selection.
The first thing you want to do is take a close look at all the active ingredients included in the flea collars youre considering.
Remember, if any of these collars have the organophosphate compounds mentioned earlier, compare the dosages to see if there is one with a smaller amount.
This may be a safer option than flea collars with a heavy percentage of organophosphate compounds in their treatment base.
Is Seresto The Right Choice For Your Cat
If your cat is always on the go or dislikes topical and oral medications, then the Seresto collar is a great option to help keep them protected. The Seresto collar provides pet owners with a convenient flea and tick preventative option that works continuously for eight months, eliminating the need for monthly reapplications.
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About Seresto Collar For Cats
The Seresto collar contains two active ingredients: imidacloprid and flumethrin.
Imidacloprid is an insecticide that acts on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of the central nervous system of a flea, leading to central nervous system impairment and death. These receptors in insects have a much higher affinity, or desire to bind, to imidacloprid than to similar receptors of vertebrates like cats and dogs.
Imidacloprid is largely effective against adult fleas only. It does not have additional efficacy against fleas eggs and only an indirect effect against larvae, though it can kill adult fleas quickly before they can lay eggs.
Flumethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide that conveys its action through voltage gated sodium channels in nerve tissue. Its action leads to repeated nerve impulses that lead to death of the insect. It also has a very high affinity for invertebrate nerve tissue, lending to its safety for use in dogs and cats.
As an acaricide, flumethrin is principally effective against ticks. It is able to kill all stages of the tick, including the adult, larva, and nymph forms.
If Your Pet Wears Seresto Flea Collars Remove The Collar Immediately And Contact Your Veterinarian For The Next Steps
Pet Parents beware! Thanks to more than 86,000 incident reports, Seresto Flea and Tick collars have now been directly linked to more incidents of harm than any other product in the history of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . Seresto flea and tick collars were designed to be an easy and convenient way for pet parents to protect their dogs and cats from harmful pests. Once placed around the pet’s neck and activated, the flea collars work by slowly releasing two pesticides for up to eight months. The pesticides used by the collars, which are imidacloprid and flumethrin, are supposed to kill fleas and ticks without harming pets or the humans who love them. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always seem to be the case.
Now, the government is starting to get involved. A congressional report released earlier this month raised the number of incidents, linking the collar to almost 100,000 incidents and 2,500 pet deaths, spurring some lawmakers to call for a product recall. But it hasnt happened yet. Meanwhile, Amazon continues to sell Seresto flea collars despite receiving numerous complaints and negative reviews about the product from customers who detailed significant issues. Some retailers are offering a voluntary recall if pet parents would like to return their Seresto pet collar, but until an official recall has been issued, it’s up to each store to determine its own policies.
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Which Is Better Seresto Or Frontline
Both kill fleas and ticks, but Seresto repels ticks as well. Frontline Plus protects against mosquitoes, Seresto does not. Seresto is designed to last 8 months with one collar, Frontline Plus is 1 month per application. Seresto ends up being slightly cheaper per month, depending on how/where you purchase it from.
How Effective Are Cat Flea Collars
Cat flea collars are one of the most effective ways of dealing with fleas when used correctly. Suppose you are looking for more long-term treatments and practical tools in a battle with persistent fleas, then a cat flea collar will go a long way in helping with such a battle by offering long-lasting protection.
Some collars can even offer protection from fleas for many months an example of this collar would be the water-resistant cat flea collar by Johnsons. Why a water-resistant cat flea collar? Because it is an excellent choice for outdoor and travelling cats where water, the sea, a pool, and rain dont prevent it from working effectively.
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Flea Collars For Cats & Dogs
Most flea collars for cats and dogs are exposing your pet to long term toxicity and poisons and are known to have a long history of causing health issues in pets, even death.
Flea collars have a range of active ingredients using chemical based insecticides and pesticides. Active chemical compounds found in collars are Deltamethrin, Propoxur and Tetrachlorvinphos.
Tetrachlorvinphos is an organophospate designed to work on the nervous system of insects, however it’s highly toxic to your children and is thought to be a carcinogenic.
Propoxur is an insecticide and is used as a neurological disruptor. It’s toxic to humans and is known to be a carcinogen, can cause respiratory paralysis and even death. It’s been known to effect children’s neurological development and linked to attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity problems.
Deltametrin is an insecticide that is an extremely potent neurotoxin. Exposure to humans has been linked to vomiting, muscle twitching, breathing issues, male infertility, behavioural issues and changes to DNA.
Flea collars slowly poison your pet. The chemicals used in collars, just after 3 days of use are above the recommended exposure limit for humans let alone our companion animals. They have known side effects such as vomiting, seizures, muscle spasms, organ failure, skin problems and behavioural issues.
Do Flea Collars Work How Efficient Are Those What Are The Side Effects
Flea collars are the best means to prevent your pets from all the chemicals hazard, significantly to kill and repulse the fleas that are often found in the open environment. They provide a smooth way to deliver all the ingredients required to kill the fleas. But how exactly do flea collars work? And are they actually efficient enough?
Do you have a specific question about flea collars and their efficiency? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
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When To Use Seresto Collars
Seresto flea and tick collars are most effective when used as a preventative measure. That means they should be worn before your pet comes into contact with fleas or ticks.
If you live in an area where these pests are common, its a good idea to put the collar on your pet at the start of flea and tick season. That way, you can be sure your pet is protected before they have a chance to come into contact with these parasites.
If youre not sure when flea and tick season starts in your area, ask your veterinarian for advice.
Seresto collars should be replaced every 8 months. Thats because the active ingredients in the collar gradually lose effectiveness over time.
If you live in an area with a high flea and tick population, you may need to replace the collar more frequently. Consult with your veterinarian for advice on how often to replace the collar based on your location.
What Are The Side Effects Of Using A Flea Collar
After reading those hard to pronounce words, its easy to imagine how a flea collar can be dangerous to both you and your pet. The flea collar directly puts these toxic ingredients on your pets fur or emits them as a gas. They can be accidentally consumed or inhaled. They can also spread around the house as your pet roams around.
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What We Do Not Know:
- Is there an actual connection between the reported harmful events and the Seresto collars? On one hand, the presence of a Seresto collar on a pet when a harmful event occurs does not mean the collar necessarily caused it. on the other hand, if there is a link, it needs to be identified ASAP and appropriate measures taken.
- How big an issue are counterfeit collars? They are very difficult to identify.
And How Does Seresto Work
Seresto dog collars contains two active ingredients, imidacloprid and flumethrin. These medications fight the common skin parasites fleas and ticks. Concentrated into the collar, the ingredients release continually, into the dogs coat in a kind of trickle feed type manner, slowly, over many months.
The medications ensure the death of fleas at any point within their life cycle. Additionally, the animals immediate surroundings are protected against larval flea development for almost 3 months. The product may also be used for those dogs with flea allergic dermatitis and associated skin signs.
For ticks, Seresto offers both repellent activity and efficacy against infestations. The product therefore forms part of an effective weapon against the prevention of tick-borne diseases, such as Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis, which are commonplace in Europe. With the advent of warmer environmental conditions due to climate change and increased movement of dogs into Europe, these diseases are also increasingly seen within the UK. As such, including a Seresto collar in your pets parasite regime, confers good and effective protection.
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Is Your Cats Flea Collar Really Keeping Them Safe
Flea collars are frequently advertised as a way to keep cats parasite-free, but some of the ingredients in some may be harmful to cats. If your cat comes into contact with a collar, it can become ill or even die. Some of the chemicals in flea collars can cause itching and hair loss in cats, as well as an allergic reaction. When a cat has an allergy, the collar is usually removed in order to prevent it from developing a reaction.
So What Are The Claims
As mentioned above, the claims are of the popular flea collar being linked to nearly 1700 pet deaths. Whilst the EPA continue to do nothing to inform the public of the risks.
I think it is clear to say, that none of us as Veterinarians ever want to do anything to affect your pets health in a detrimental fashion. Quite the opposite, of course. Our recommendations for treatments are based on the knowledge that medicines are only granted licences once robust safety trials have been passed. We of course have enormous sympathy for anyone who believes that a medicine contributed to the ill-health of their beloved pet.
However, unfortunately, in this reported article, those persons consulted regarding the safety of Seresto had neither speciality in veterinary toxicology nor parasitology. This is clearly a shame given those experts would have likely shone an informed and professional opinion upon the question of Serestos safety. The evidence was also somewhat anecdotal and perhaps the full picture was not clearly painted.
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Flea Collars That Work
Every dog is different, just like every flea collars formulation. So some products might work for one and cause allergies in other pups. However, my two best recommendations combine decent formula, good dog parents experience, versatility, efficiency, and price. If you are curious to check them out, my suggestions would be this one by Rolf Club and this more natural milder formula by Craveit.
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
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How Does Capstar Work
Capstar flea pills are small, round, and blue. They contain the active ingredient Nitenpyram and are given to cats as a single dose, to target their nervous systems.
Capstar is an excellent option for pet owners who want to eliminate fleas quickly, but do not want to use products that have the potential for side effects or that require multiple doses over time. Capstar works fast, within 30 minutes of ingestion by your cat, fleas will be killed as they come into contact with the animals bloodstream through its digestive system.
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About Dr Chris Vanderhoof Dvm Mph
Dr. Chris Vanderhoof is a 2013 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a Masters in Public Health. He completed a rotating internship with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and now works as a general practitioner in the Washington D.C. area.Dr. Vanderhoof is also a copywriter specializing in the animal health field and founder of Paramount Animal Health Writing Solutions, which can be found at www.animalhealthcopywriter.com. Dr. Vanderhoof lives in the Northern Virginia area with his family, including 3 cats.
Recent Flea Collar Controversy
The dangers of flea collars have become more well known due to the recent controversy surrounding the Seresto flea collars and the Environmental Protection Agencys reluctance to inform the public of these health risks. The continued inaction on the part of the EPA is surprising considering their recent research documents on the Seresto collar insecticides show that the product has the highest incidences of injury to pets and humans and fatalities amongst both dogs and cats.
There have been 75,000 incident reports of pet and human health problems and nearly 1,700 pet deaths associated with the Seresto flea collars. The most common reaction before pets deaths was a sudden seizure followed by cardiac arrest.
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Types Of Flea Collars For Cats
Some flea collars kill both fleas and ticks while others may only kill fleas. In addition, some collars only work on the adult insects, enabling larvae to continue to grow and potentially irritate your cat even more. Think about which types of pests youre having problems with and choose a flea collar that is designed to eliminate those insects. Its best to choose a collar that takes care of juvenile fleas as well as adult fleas to stop the infestation in its tracks.
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Active ingredients
All cat flea collars should clearly list the active ingredients. Some common flea- and tick-killing agents include fipronil, imidacloprid, etofenprox, and flumethrin. A few collars are also made from natural essential oils like citronella. Some users argue that these natural collars are better for pets, while others argue that they dont work as well. Its up to you to decide which one you feel is better for your pet. Whichever type you choose, make sure you buy a feline flea collar. Dog flea collars can contain other ingredients that are toxic to cats.
Depending on the collar, you might need to wait until your cat is 8 to 12 weeks old before you can put the flea collar on him. Using it before the recommended age could hurt your still-growing kitten. Consult the manufacturers instructions to figure out if the collar youre interested in is suitable for your cats age.
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Protection length
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Water resistance
Side Effects Of The Seresto Cat Collar
The Seresto cat collar has some demerits, it will not be suitable for every cat. Moreover, the cats can show an allergic reaction after you put this collar. The reason behind it includes either cat is allergic to flumethrin or imidacloprid or the material of collar does not suit the cat.
Apart from that, there are no other demerits. This collar works just fine for most of the cats and kittens.
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How To Administer Capstar Flea Pill For Cats
Administering Capstar flea medication for cats is a simple process. The product comes in pill form, so you dont have to worry about messy liquids or gels. Simply open the package, remove one tablet and give it to your cat by hand.
If your cat weighs over 4 lbs , they are old enough to receive the flea medication without any problems and will not experience any Capstar side effects. If they weigh less than that, however, you should consult with your veterinarian first before administering the pill.
Kittens aged 8 weeks old and older can benefit from taking Capstar pills as well however, kittens under 10 weeks old may experience more serious side effects when taking this medicine.
Seresto Collars Come Under Greater Scrutiny
Greg Cima
Recent reports from pet owners of adverse events attributed to a popular brand of flea and tick collars have gained national attention.
The manufacturer has defended the collars as safe and effective, and veterinary experts say they have seen no cause for alarm. Meanwhile, federal regulators remind the public that these types of adverse event reports do not necessarily show a product was the cause of harm.
Seresto collars, developed by Bayer and now manufactured and sold by Elanco Animal Health, contain two pesticides: imidacloprid, which is a neonicotinoid, and flumethrin, which is a pyrethroid. The collars are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates most flea and tick products applied to a pets skin or fur, such as collars and spot-on products.
On March 2, USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting published findings that the EPA has received more than 75,000 incident reports involving Seresto collars since they were first introduced in 2012. Those reports included 1,700 deaths of pets and about 1,000 incidents of harm to humans.
The subcommittee also called for Elanco to provide plans for recalls and refunds, copies of all complaints and administrative or legal actions regarding allegations of harm to people or animals associated with the collars, copies of communications involving product safety, and U.S. sales figures.
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