Dr Rob Williams MRCVS
British Veterinary Association President
British Veterinary Association President Dr Rob Williams, MRCVS, explains why it is important to tailor the use of parasiticides to your pet’s needs to help protect the environment.
When pets catch fleas and bring an infestation home, it can be unpleasant for the animal and their owners, causing huge inconvenience as they are difficult to get rid of and cause great physical discomfort. That’s why parasiticides, like spot-on flea treatments, are so important: they help prevent and treat parasites in animals, which, if left unaddressed, can cause serious ongoing health issues for animals and people.
Parasiticides: helpful for pets, but may be harmful to the environment
However, it’s also important to make sure these treatments are used safely and responsibly to help minimise their impact on the environment. Recent research has shown that chemicals commonly used in flea treatments are contaminating rivers and lakes, and it’s been suggested that this happens when pets swim or are bathed after being treated with a spot-on flea treatment.
With this in mind, the British Veterinary Association (BVA), alongside the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS), encourage pet owners who are likely to swim or be bathed to consider using alternatives to topical spot-on products wherever possible, to help mitigate this negative impact on UK wildlife.
Recent research has shown that chemicals commonly used in flea treatments are contaminating rivers and lakes.
Finding the right treatments for every type of pet
We know that watching your dog have fun in water or getting muddy on a walk can be enjoyable, and in those cases, another form of flea treatment may be more appropriate. Indeed, every pet’s needs are unique, and not all pets will need to be treated for parasites in the same way: a house cat will be less likely to need regular treatment, whereas a dog walked in the countryside will be at more risk.
Rather than continuing to treat with spot-on treatments in the same way as always, we’re urging owners to chat to their vet about what their pet really needs to protect themselves — and you — from parasites, and how to use any treatments responsibly and safely.
INFO BOX:
You can find out more about parasiticides and how to use them responsibly and safely at https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/responsible-use-of-parasiticides-for-cats-and-dogs/.
