The proper use of ectoparasiticides in domestic animals
Ectoparasiticides (designed to kill parasites that live on the exterior of a host) treat and/or prevent animal infestations by certain insects and mites (fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, sandflies or even biting flies). In the same way as for all veterinary drugs, marketing authorisations require an assessment of the data relating to their quality, safety and efficacy, confirming that the benefits of use outweigh the risks incurred by the animal receiving the treatment, as well as by the person administering the drug or the people in contact with the treated animal.
Use appropriate antiparasitics to treat your pet
Marketing authorisations for veterinary medicinal products are issued for a given animal species. So it is important that each veterinary medicinal product be administered only to the species for which it is intended. Permethrin-based ectoparasiticides, for example, are intended for dogs. They can cause serious effects in cats, including neurological disorders (tremors, convulsions, ataxia, agitation, coma) sometimes associated with digestive signs, which can be fatal, owing to the inability of cats to eliminate the compound from their bodies. With some concentrated formulations such as pipette products, just a few drops placed on the skin or licked up may be sufficient to induce serious effects in the most sensitive cats. Similarly, rabbit owners should not treat their pets with veterinary products for dogs or cats containing fipronil. This compound is toxic to rabbits and can cause serious or even fatal effects.
Any side effects concerning animals must be reported through the national veterinary pharmacovigilance scheme.
Antiparasitics for animals must not be used to treat head lice in children
Veterinary products authorised for use as antiparasitics, insecticides or acaricides are intended for pets and must never be used for treating head lice in children. In the event of lice infestation, we recommend that you use the appropriate treatment based on the child's age, and that you seek advice from a healthcare professional (pharmacist, doctor).
Marketing authorisation procedure
The risk to humans is assessed as part of the marketing authorisation procedure for veterinary medicinal products. Any precautions to be taken by the user or any recommendations concerning people in proximity with the animal are described in the summary of product characteristics (SPC) of each medicinal product and are also included in the instructions. This assessment places particular emphasis on case where the animal may come into close contact with children.