Keep in mind this is from the EPA stating safety concerns while still trying to CYA their department. So you know it's actually far worse.:W
http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=15367""U.S. EPA confirms problems exist with spot-on flea, tick treatments:
Dosages may be assigned to too broad a range of weights, the EPA stated. Consumers typically choose a spot-on treatment based on the species and weight of their pet. As an example, the product Frontline Plus for Dogs comes in four dosage sizes: for dogs 22 pounds and less; dogs between 23 and 44 pounds; dogs between 45 and 88 pounds; and dogs between 89 and 132 pounds.
Farwell said that in some cases,
animals at the low or high end of their weight range may be receiving too much or not enough of a dose. Nesci said the agency is considering labeling and/or packaging changes that would result in narrower weight ranges.
Spot-on treatments are
not monitored by the government once their registration has been approved. Unlike drugs approved by the FDA, the officials said,
flea and tick treatments do not undergo post-market surveillance. The EPA said it would like to grant conditional registrations for new products, which would give the agency an opportunity to monitor the safety of products after they go to market.
Safety testing required before products are registered may be inadequate. Specifically, Farwell said the
beagle is the standard laboratory animal used for companion-animal safety studies, but that breed is not sensitive to spot-on products. “The beagle is not the appropriate animal,” he said. He did not say what changes, if any, the agency would propose on testing protocol.""
