Some flea and tick medications causing pet strokes

The FDA has issued a warning that owners of dogs and cats must hear: drugs believed to protect dogs and cats from fleas and ticks could cause serious nerve reactions.

Flea and tick medications protect dogs and cats from the many diseases that fleas and ticks can transmit, including Lyme disease, but homeowners and veterinarians need to warn about potential side effects.

The FDA has warned of potential neurological problems – such as epileptic seizures – with flea and tick medications in the class of "isoxazolines".

"The FDA is working with manufacturers of isoxazoline-based products to include new information on labels to highlight neurological events, as these events have been consistently observed in the class of products based on Isoxazoline, "adds the document.

The agency wants the public to know the potential dangers by choosing the products to use on their cats and dogs.

"The agency is asking manufacturers to make product labeling changes to provide veterinarians and pet owners with the information they need to make treatment decisions. for each animal, "said the FDA.

FDA-approved drugs containing the pesticide isoxazoline are sold under the trademarks Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard and Simparica.

"The products based on isoxazoline have been associated with undesirable neurological reactions, including muscle tremors, ataxia and seizures in some dogs and cats," says the alert. "Although most dogs and cats have not had neurological side effects, seizures can occur in animals with no history.

"If your pet experiences a bad reaction due to a localized product, rinse it immediately with a mild soap, rinse it with large amounts of water and call your vet."