It seems that someone in Seattle is still confused about fleas, flea
products, tapeworms, and heartworms.
 
Sevin dust applied to a towel then rubbed onto the ferret's fur by the
ferret is still NOT safer than Frontline or Advantage.  Both Frontline and
Advantage stay on the skin/oil layer.  Neither Frontline or Advantage is
absorbed into the bloodstream.  The flea actually dies within 2 hours of
getting on the treated animal.  This is BEFORE the flea has enough time to
bite the animal!  That is why these 2 products work so well with pets that
are allergic to flea bites.
 
Sentinel is a monthly tablet that has both a heartworm medication and a
flea egg inhibitor.  The flea part is the same product that is in Program.
Yes, the flea has to bite the pet to get this product from the bloodstream.
Plus it does not kill the adult flea.  Remember I did not recommend Program
(or Sentinel) for these 2 reasons.  However it is totally safe for mammals
since we do not have chitin layers.  Remember Program at a higher dose can
be safely used to treat ringworm infections.
 
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes NOT by fleas.  Dogs, cats,
ferrets, sea lions, etc., get heartworms from mosquito bites not from
fleas!  Animals can get tapeworms if they actually eat the flea.  Bubonic
plague is only possible if your ferret is getting rat fleas from prairie
dogs or rats in the New Mexico or Colorado area.  This is not the common
cat flea that pets normally get.
 
Sevin dust is NOT a safer option.  It has hazards to both humans and pets.
 
Humans-harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.  Avoid
breathing dust.  Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.  Wash
thoroughly after using and before eating or smoking.
 
Animals- Sevin is a cholinesterase inhibitor.  Do not use this product
on animals simultaneously or within a few days before or after treatment
with or exposure to other cholinesterase inhibiting drugs, pesticides, or
chemicals.
 
Consult a veterinarian at the first sign of any adverse reaction.  Atropine
is antidotal.
 
Yes, the animal absorbs this product through the skin, and it goes into the
animals bloodstream.  Yes, it can be toxic at high doses (especially 10%
Sevin dust).  Thus sevin dust is the example of poisoning your pet in order
to poison the flea!
 
I still recommend Frontline and Advantage because they are both SAFE and
effective.  Sure sevin dust is cheaper, but it is not safer.
 
Hope that clears up the confusion,
Jerry Murray, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3404]