Flea treatments is an interest of mine and I just finished my certification for counseling others on flea control. Some of you are aware that I am the author of Flea Control Secrets which was published in response to the big spot-on flea control disaster.

Now I spent a lot of time researching and fact checking and have to say that it is a shock to see how much inaccurate flea treatment advice circulates.

Many people seek information on how to kill fleas, and although the advice shared may be well meaning, it can be downright deadly to your pet!

I have written about the EPA Flea Control Advisory before but recent news and the immanent arrival of flea season in the USA makes it an important topic to revisit.

Target PetRX
The Target PetRx pilot program launched in fall of 2010 with the goal of offering convenience, affordability and guest service. 35 Target pharmacy locations are participating in the states of Minnesota, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. I don’t have word on the expansion to other states yet.

Pilot locations can fill veterinary prescriptions for animal-specific medications such as HeartGard, Atopica, Clavamox and Deramaxx. However the business also sells Merial’s flea and tick treatment Frontline as an over-the-counter product. Consumers can also use the $4 generic program for both people and pet medication.

Dr Flea Named Veterinarian of the Year 2010
Michael Dryden DVM was named the 2010 Veterinarian of the Year. Known as “Dr Flea”, Dryden is a professor of veterinary parasitology in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University. His research is in flea and tick biology and control, investigating urban wildlife as vectors of parasitic diseases and diagnosis and control of gastrointestinal parasites.

Dryden is active in the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists and the American Veterinary Medical Association and was instrumental in founding the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

Other Flea Treatment News

• Promeris to be pulled off the market
• Target Now Sells Pet Specific Medications
• Target Now Sells Flea Products
• WalMart Now sells Flea Products
• Dr Flea Named Vet of the Year (2010)

So, I wonder how you are tackling fleas this year–join the conversation over on the Flea Control Secrets page on Facebook and be sure to follow my updates for tips and hints on Twitter.

Flea Treatment Safety Steps YOU Can Take
Now I’ve covered this before–but it is worth repeating.

• Consult your veterinarian before using any product.
• Do not purchase flea treatment products from suspect suppliers (such as online) as counterfeit flea treatment is a problem.
• Read the manufacturer’s instructions and entire label (follow the directions as detailed).
• Pay attention to warnings and use caution on weak, elderly, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets.
• Follow age restrictions.
• Weigh your pet before application and follow weight restrictions on package–and err on the low side.
• Follow species specific practices. Only use a dog product on a dog and a cat product on a cat.
• Keep the package and record the dates and times you treat your pet. Lot numbers and product data is vital if your pet has an adverse reaction.
• Use a flea treatment product on a pet when you are going to be present so you can watch your pet and identify an adverse reaction quickly if it happens.
• Treat all animals in the household.
• Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has symptoms of an adverse reaction.
• You can also call an emergency clinic or the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

So, change is in the air–and many people are excited that mass market channels are offering discounted prescriptions and that generic flea treatment products are now for sale–but use caution when using any kind of pesticide or product on your pet.

Of course, there is more to add–and I will over time. BTW if you want to watch some of my videos how things you can do to help thwart fleas–visit the YouTube channel on flea treatment!