could anti flea/tick goo be too powerful for our dogs?

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.""

BCSnob wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
NO, I sure would not. Some small breed dogs have problems even with the correct dosage. If you have not opened it why not just return it?

I would not be surprised if some small dogs (<10lbs) are getting too much volume of drug when the entire amount of the smallest weight package is used.

The max dose/lb calculations above indicate any dog under 11.3lbs getting the entire small dog package would exceed what the drug company has setup as the max dose/lb for the larger dogs.

YUP! EXACTLY! You are 100% right. And it's not just with flea treatment either.

I had a lot of learning to do when I switched to a toy breed when it came to meds.

Many times if your dog is only 1 lb over a given span of any product the vet prescribes the next dosage which goes up to sometimes 20 lbs more than your dog. I fought this with heartworm meds. I watched my dogs eyes glass over within an hour after giving it to him.

These flea treatments get REAL dicey when using it on toy dogs even when applying per instructions.

I have 4 dogs. 2 almost died after putting topical flea treatment.

After you put this stuff on observe your dog. Many will look lethargic looking for a couple of days that goes unnoticed by the owner. This is an indicator of their tolerance/toxicity. This stuff goes into the skin the largest organ on the body and permeates every inch of the body.

These products are tested on 'average' sized dogs and then they "calculate" what would be safe on smaller and larger dogs. I have yet to see a product test specifically on toy breeds. IMHO this is where the problem lies and its up to the owners.

I have found that with the toy breeds you have to be 'very' prudent with what you put on or in these dogs. Irregardless what the manufacturer recommended dosage is.

My advice is join a toy/small breed specific to your breed forum if you "really" want to know learn about the safety of meds and products and how they affect your specific breed or mixed breed of. IMHO it is a very good place to gain knowledge about the affect of meds/products on small breeds from pet owners who have been there done that. And sadly many of their pets died to prove that just because the label says the dose is safe it is not always so when it comes to the smaller dogs.:(

It is within this community you will also find what products to NEVER use on or administer to the smaller breeds even if it states it is safe.

rockhillmanor wrote:
NO, I sure would not. Some small breed dogs have problems even with the correct dosage. If you have not opened it why not just return it?

I would not be surprised if some small dogs (<10lbs) are getting too much volume of drug when the entire amount of the smallest weight package is used.

The max dose/lb calculations above indicate any dog under 11.3lbs getting the entire small dog package would exceed what the drug company has setup as the max dose/lb for the larger dogs.

You don't say what treatment you have.

I know for fact that ALL Frontline weight sizes have the same concentration of active ingredients (%drug in liquid); the only change is the total amount of liquid. This information is clearly listed on the packages and the product inserts.

Use Frontline Plus for Dogs (fipronil 9.8% and S-methoprene 8.8%) on dogs and puppies 8 weeks or older. Frontline Plus for Dogs is available as 0.67 ml applicators for use on dogs and puppies up to 22 lbs, 1.34 ml applicators for dogs 23-44 lbs, 2.68 ml applicators for dogs 45-88 lbs and 4.02 ml applicators for dogs 89-132 lbs.

We use this FACT (same drug concentration) to save money by purchasing the largest weight size and then measuring out some of the liquid for each dog based upon its weight.

0.67mL will treat up to 22lbs: 0.67mL/22lbs = 0.03mL/lb
1.34mL will treat up to 44lbs: 1.34mL/44lbs = 0.03mL/lb
2.67mL will treat up to 88lbs: 2.67mL/88lbs = 0.03mL/lb
4.02mL will treat up to 132lbs: 4.02mL/132lbs = 0.03mL/lb

I simply draw out of the package with a syringe&needle the desired volume of drug, remove the needle from the syringe, and then apply to the back of our dogs with the blunt end of the syringe. Any left over drug I save in a glass vial for the next time we treat.

The weight ranges also provide you with what the drug company thinks are safe maximum doses.

1.34mL will treat from 23lbs = 0.058mL/lb
2.67mL will treat from 45lbs = 0.059mL/lb
4.02mL will treat from 89lbs = 0.045mL/lb

There is no way I would attempt to use it. When you purchase the flea/tick treatment from the vet it comes packed according to body weight. We get the 8 to 22 lbs for our little one and 45 to 88 lb for the large one from the vet.
The treatment does not affect our dogs but sure works on the ticks and fleas.
If you try to use what you have using your best guesstimate you may end up killing your pet.

I would purchase the correct dosage for your dog! Absolutely would not chance it!

Pops

You also do not want to do multiple treatments of something. Like give a med that contains flea treatment and put the topical treatment on and then use flea shampoo when you see a flea. Some people do not realize how bad this is.

Go to a vet and purchase the proper flea control product for your pets.

I buy the correct dosage for my black lab. I split the dosage up. It covers him and our beagle for two times each. We also have little/zero interaction with other dogs. Dogs are 14yrs old with zero lifetime fleas. They also get brewers yeast. Supposedly fleas hate that smell in the bloodstream. Can't confirm it.

Least problem could be mild to severe skin problems. Worst could be a dead dog. That stuff can be VERY toxic. Talk to your vet.

If you love your little ones, don't use it and get the right stuff for their weight.