Veterinary Ectoparasitics
Veterinary Flea and Tick Products
Veterinary ectoparasitics, often referred to as flea and tick products, represent one of the largest market segments in animal health. In addition to fleas and ticks, the veterinary ectoparasitic market also consists of products to repel and/or kill mosquitos. Fleas and ticks are not only unsightly on your pet or in the environment, but also represent vectors which can transmit veterinary and human diseases. These products may also be designed to prevent diseases known to be transmitted by mosquitors, such as canine heartworm.
Veterinary ectoparasitics and parasiticides can come in a variety of forms including sprays, spot-ons, collars, shampoos, foggers, and premise control products. Veterinary ectoparasitics which are used topically on your pet, or are for premise control (sprays for bedding, etc.), are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There are a variety of chemicals which have been used to control fleas, ticks and/or mosquitos including pyrethrins, pyrethroids, permethrins, organophosphates, and insect growth regulators. Many of these chemicals can be found in topical flea and tick sprays, flea and tick shampoos, flea and tick collars, and flea and tick spot-ons. The terms biopesticide, pesticide, ectoparasitic, and/or ectoparasiticide are often used to refer to these products which can be generally classified as veterinary ectoparasitics.
Topical Flea and Tick Products
The EPA has a formal approval process, which consists of reviewing scientific data that may include:
- Safety and efficacy of the pesticide in the target species (dog, cat, etc.)
- Potential harm to humans from dermal exposure to adults, dermal and oral exposure for children, respiratory exposure, and/or exposure through transfer (hugging or touching the pet)
- Potential harm to non-target species,
- Environmental impact of the pesticide
EPA: More information about the EPA’s regulation of veterinary ectoparastics (click here).
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Oral or Injectable Parasiticides
Veterinary Parasiticides working by Systemic Administration
However, if a flea and tick product is ingested (not used topically), it will be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration – Center for Veterinary Medicine. Why? because this type of product requires metabolism or chemical reaction within the body to achieve the effect on the fleas and/or ticks. As such, oral veterinary ectoparasitics are considered veterinary drugs (veterinary pharmaceuticals).