Last week we began a discussion of possible problems with so-called "spot on" flea and tick preventatives and treatments. 

We noted that the country's Environmental Protection Agency for more than two years has been investigating a multitude of complaints that dogs and cats have suffered adverse reactions, including skin irritation at the administration site or neurological problems, including seizures and death. 

Currently the EPA is developing stricter testing and evaluation rules for these products, as well as drafting requirements for more complete and dire warnings to be placed on packaging. If the numbers of reactions and deaths do not drop dramatically and soon, the EPA is also considering a total ban on the products.

It is important to remember that human carelessness can be just as much at fault as the product. Owners who are devastated by guilt after administering a product that leads to the illness or death of a beloved pet may find it far easier to blame the product than themselves. It is not uncommon to find that someone has used a product intended for dogs on a cat, or that intended for a 80-pound dog on a 20-pound dog. Such mistakes can kill a pet.

Meanwhile, until the EPA completes their studies, we are still left with the problem of how to protect our pets and ourselves from these dangerous parasites. Just as we have grown casual about products that repel or kill fleas and ticks, we have also grown casual about the idea that fleas and ticks are not really very dangerous. 

Not so! Fleas and ticks carry a full range of dangerous, and in some cases fatal, disease conditions that can affect our animals and us. The obvious ones include Lyme disease, Plague, Erlichinosis, intestinal parasites, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. I don't want any of these — do you?

After consulting with a few nearby veterinary hospitals, I have gathered a list of suggestions that will, if followed, keep your pets safer while still protecting them from fleas and ticks. Elimination of parasites is a three-step process: 

1. Treat the pet

2. Treat the inside of your home

3. Treat your yards and outbuildings. 

Here is a list of steps you can take to help make these pests go away without overdoing your use of dangerous chemicals: 

1. Bathe all pets once a month when parasites are most prevalent. Use either plain water or an organic shampoo, not a "flea soap."

2. Industriously vacuum clean your home: ALL of the home: carpets, upholstery, beds and bare floors, with a focus on places where walls and floors meet, as well as all cracks in floors and any and every surface that could hide flea or tick eggs.

3. When you use the vacuum cleaner, place about 12 moth balls inside the bag. When done with vacuuming, empty the vacuum cleaner bag into a plastic bag, tie it off and get it out of the house. Wash the cloth bag and dry thoroughly before your next use, or replace the bag. Moth balls in the bag will help to kill any flea or tick eggs picked up during the vacuuming. 

4. Launder all scatter rugs, bath mats, slip covers and bedding, yours and the pet's. When possible, dry either in direct sun or a dryer. 

While doing all this cleaning and killing, your pets will need to be treated somehow so they do not attract further infestation. This is the time for a consult with your veterinarian. If you have used spot-on products in the past with no side-effects, you could opt to use them again — being very careful to follow directions exactly. If you have seen ANY problem with these products, find another solution now. 

We have two new options this year; perhaps one of these will be deemed a good choice for your animals. Vectra, by Abbot Labs, or Myco-Dex may be safe and effective for your animals. 

If your pet's doctor does not recommend either of these for your animals, ask about using herbal sprays or powders or citrus oil sprays. Being "organic" does NOT equate with always being safe. Discuss pros and cons with your vet before selecting a product.

Removing parasites and their eggs from your environment will keep them off you and your pets too. After you finish vacuum cleaning, there are two ways you can remove parasites and their eggs from your home and keep them from returning. 

Some have had good success with Vet-Kem pump premise spray. Alternatively, the same product is available in a "bomb." Regardless of which you choose, these products are sufficiently toxic to kill parasites in all life stages. Directions must be followed exactly. 

You and your pets must be removed from the home until the spray has dried — about 3 hours. Once dry, it is safe for you to resume normal activities. 

This treatment (vacuuming and spray) must be repeated once a week until the parasite's life cycle is broken. 

The products mentioned may be found in pet supply stores, feed stores or grocery stores. This is one time when I urge you to buy them only from a veterinary hospital. 

The "good stuff" can only be sold by a licensed veterinarian. The possibility of saving a few pennies is not worth the risk of buying the wrong product or in the wrong strength. 

Better this time to seek advice, information and the product from your trusted veterinarian. Better for your animals, and in the long run, better for your wallet.