EPA intensifies probe of pet flea and tick control products

According to the EPA website:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is intensifying its evaluation of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control due to recent increases in the number of reported adverse reactions in pets treated with these products. Adverse reactions reported range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and, in some cases, death of the pet.

The EPA recommends using care when administering spot-on pesticide products on your pets. Many people use the products with no harm. If you use them, please follow the instructions carefully and monitor your pets for signs of an adverse reaction. If your pet is old, sick, weak, pregnant, nursing or has shown sensitivity to pesticide products in the past, please consult a vet before using spot-on products.

The EPA emphasizes that this is not a recall, just an announcement of a heightened investigation:

EPA is not initiating a product recall of these products nor is the Agency suggesting that the products not be used. EPA recognizes the importance of the products in effective flea and tick control. EPA’s objective at this stage is simply to advise consumers and pet owners to exercise caution when using the products and to monitor pet behavior following their use, as some animals have experienced adverse reactions following treatment.