Pesticide Information for Veterinarians

Veterinarians encounter pesticide exposure in animals in a number of ways

Owners may apply pesticides to their pets to control fleas and ticks
Pets may walk through pesticides applied to lawns or other areas around the home
Pets may eat pesticide baits intended for slugs and snails, ants or rodents
Livestock or poultry may be exposed when barns or other areas are treated with pesticides
Livestock may graze on grass treated with pesticides
Pets may touch or eat pesticides that have spilled or pesticides that were not stored out of reach.

Veterinarians can help prevent pesticide exposures in pets

Direct pet owners to always read and follow the label instructions when using pesticides on pets or around the home.
When people have more than one pet, make sure they are using the appropriate flea control product(s) for each individual animal. For example, never apply products intended only for dogs to cats, and never apply a product intended only for large dogs to a small dog. This may save money, but can make pets sick.
Pet owners should keep pets out of the area when mixing and using pesticides. Make sure pets do not enter treated areas until the pesticide is completely dry, or as otherwise instructed by the label.
Encourage owners to keep their pesticide product packaging so the active ingredient can be identified in case there is a problem.
Report pesticide-related illness so regulators are aware of the pesticide incidents that are occurring in pets and livestock.

For additional information on pesticides and pets:

Pesticide Poisoning in Pets (toxicology resources)
Pesticide Use Around Pets
Using Pesticides on Pets
Call NPIC for assistance with pesticide toxicology questions

For animal emergencies:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1-888-426-4435 ($65.00 credit card fee)
Pet Poison Helpline: 1-800-213-6680 ($39.00 credit card fee)

To report a pesticide incident:

Call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 and speak directly with a pesticide specialist, or veterinarians may report a pesticide incident on-line: Veterinary Pesticide Incident Reporting. NPIC also has a veterinarian and toxicologist on staff available to consult with other veterinary professionals on non-emergency pesticide-related cases.

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (7:30am-3:30pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.

Additional Resources:

Practitioners face conundrum with off-label pesticide use - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Pesticide repackaging - What veterinarians need to know - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
EPA orders retailers to stop sales of counterfeit flea and tick products for pets - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Frequently Asked Questions about the EPA's investigation of spot-on flea and tick treatments - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
EPA imposes new regulations on spot-on flea and tick pesticides, calls for comments - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
EPA to Increase Restrictions on Flea and Tick Products - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA Evaluation of Pet Spot-On Products: Analysis and Mitigation Plan - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA Data Evaluation Records of 2008 Pet Spot-On Products - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Safe Use of Flea and Tick Products in Pets - Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Advice on the safe use of flea and tick products in pets - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Reporting Adverse Events (non-pesticide) - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Veterinary Adverse Event Voluntary Reporting - Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Last updated June 26, 2012