With flea season upon us soon - or alrady if you are living further south, there's lots to consider if you are thinking of using a topical flea and tick treatment on your dog.
Here is Merial's Material Safety Data Sheet on it's product - FRONTLINE® PLUS
I'll paste here some of what is in this report -
Contains -
Ethanol
Methoprene
Fipronil
Now keep in mind that you put this on your dog's skin every month.
- Harmful if in contact with skin
R 21: Harmful by inhalation
This product may produce mild skin irritation on prolonged contact.
• After skin contact: Immediately wash with water and soap and rinse thoroughly.
Keep away from foodstuffs and beverages.
Avoid contact with the eyes and skin.
Wash hands before and after handling.
Do not store food near product.
this product may produce mild skin iritation on prolonged contact.
There are no data on the reproductive effects of this mixture. One component of this product produced slight adverse reproductive effects in rats
Ethanol is a known reproductive toxin
Acute and chronic overexposure to Fipronil produced adverse neurological
effects in animals , including changes in neuromuscular endpoints and seizures
Symptoms of respiratory depression or central nervous system depression (fatigue, lethargy or dizziness)
may occur if exposed to bulk volumes of ingredients. This product is a veterinary medicine and should be regarded as harmful if swallowed or absorbed.
Product related hazard informations:
The product has been classified and marked in accordance with directives on hazardous materials.
SARA 312 HAZARD CLASS: Fire, Acute health
Do not empty into drains, dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point.
Ethanol – cancers, renal failure, toxicity to humans, including carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity.
Methoprene - neurotoxicity, and acute toxicity
Fipronil
Class II moderately hazardous pesticide.
Causing thyroid cancer related to disruption in the thyroid
neurotoxic in both rats and dogs, developmental neurotoxicity and chronic carcinogenicity studies in the rat and in two chronic dog studies
acute toxicity by the oral and inhalation.
Dermal absorption is 4% after a 24 hr period.
I've seen one study that says a dermal absorption rate of 15%!!