03/24/2021
Hi CVH family โ letโs talk about the article in USA Today asserting that 1700 dogs have died related to the popular Seresto flea and tick collar. Boy, did that article make the collar seem terrifying! Unfortunately, it was written to be sensational clickbait rather than factual and left out lots of very important information. I have a degree in Journalism (weird, I know!) and every one of my professors would have failed me for writing such a one-sided, unsubstantiated article. So . . . letโs dig a little deeper together!
First, our hearts go out to those whose pets have experienced adverse reactions not just to flea and tick products but to food, medications, or even natural events like bee stings. No one understands the heartbreak of losing a pet or seeing one struggle with a medical threat better than we do.
Did you notice that no veterinarians were quoted in the article? Were none interviewed? Or maybe veterinarians told them the truth that didnโt jive with their desire to shock and upset people: Hundreds of Seresto studies in multiple countries revealed less than 0.3% incidence of adverse reactions. The articles focuses on the very dramatic 75,000 reports of adverse incidents to the EPA over the 9 years since Serestoโs approval without mentioning that 25 million collars have been sold and worn by pets during that time. That calculates to only 0.003% incidence of adverse effects โ even lower than the incidence in the studies.
Here at CVH we have seen a few reactions to the collar, ranging from itchiness under the collar to a single dog with loss of coordination in his hind legs. All the reactions went away once the collar was removed, and we no longer recommend this treatment for those pets. My own dog Rosie has worn several Seresto collars without any issues and I continue to use them without reservation.
We must remember that all topicals for fleas and ticks are pesticides, and they have all been subjected to many studies to prove they are both safe and effective. Sure there are all-natural options out there, but in our experience they are far less effective and not always safer than more advanced options. No single product is right for every situation, each has pros and cons; we can help you figure out the best fit for your situation.
No product is without risk, but neither is leaving your pet unprotected. Lyme disease is a very real threat in New Hampshire โ roughly 18% of unprotected dogs in our area will get infected by Lyme. I have seen dogs die from Lyme nephritis (a rare form of kidney failure due to Lyme Disease) but I havenโt personally seen a death related to appropriate flea/tick products. Lyme isnโt even the only threat; there are several other diseases carried by both fleas and ticks that can be deadly to your pets as well as your family. Every tick eliminated by your petโs flea and tick product is a tick that canโt infect you.
I must stress the importance of buying your products from someone who gets them directly from their manufacturers. Counterfeit products are sold online everyday โ many of our clients have bought counterfeit Seresto collars on Amazon that looked amazingly real. If we sell you a product, we know it is what it says it is, has been stored properly, and is guaranteed by the company. If you purchase something from us and have an issue, return it for a 100% refund and we will report the issue immediately. The companies whose products we sell also support us and our clients through any medical treatment needed by an affected pet.
Finally, know that we have not sold our souls to Big Pharma. If you think that, let us know where you would like your records sent. We make recommendations based on the health and well-being of our patients and clients. I wouldnโt recommend anything for your pet that I wouldnโt recommend for my own.
Thank you for reading this all the way through. I hope it helped to reduce some worry. This is a stressful time and the things we read online can push our buttons and create even more anxiety. We know you want what is best for your pets.... so do we. Take a deep breath and know we are here for you. Always. We hope we have earned your trust and respect over the years and that you will always come to us first with your questions and concerns.
Be kind, be patient, and remember that we will get through this together...from 6 feet apart
Dr. Sheri Cassell
Conway Veterinary Hospital