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Greenwich Animal Hospital
http://www.greenwichanimalhospital.com/
(203) 869-0534
Dear Clients,
Recently an article about Seresto® Flea and Tick Collars began circulating the internet and generating many questions and much discussion. As a concerned pet owner, we're reaching out to ensure you're aware of the facts about this product.  Cute Beagle lying on the grass scratching.
What are they?
Seresto® collars, made by Elanco, contain two active ingredients that work together to kill fleas and ticks, flumethrin and imidacloprid. More than 25 million Seresto® collars have been sold in the U.S. since it was introduced in 2012.

How do they work?
The chemicals in the collar target fleas and ticks that jump onto or attach to your pet.

How do I use them?
Make sure you are selecting the proper size and type for your pet so it fits properly and contains the right amount of chemicals to protect your pet.

Are they safe?
When used properly and when they stay on the outside of pets, yes, the collars work well and have few side effects. Dogs, especially, should be watched to make sure they don’t decide collar = snack. (These collars aren’t meant to be taken internally, pups!). If the collar is too tight or if your pet happens to have a skin sensitivity, you may see hair loss or irritation. If that happens, remove the collar and talk to us about other flea and tick prevention options for your pet.

Sweet orange tabby cat scratching at self. Are you sure they're safe? I saw the article...
We saw it, too. The article in question had a number of flaws including the fact that it referenced raw EPA reports rather than reports of instances that have been investigated and truly found to relate to collar use.  
This article explains the unlikelihood of one collar causing the wide variety of symptoms that have been reported. Toxicities are predictable; they don’t generally cause a bunch of unrelated mystery symptoms.

Okay, so how can I be sure I’m properly protecting my pet?

First, talk with us to be sure your pet is on a flea and tick prevention program that works for your lifestyle and is best suited for our area. If we recommend a collar such as Seresto®, make sure you are purchasing it from a reputable source – there are counterfeits out there – and that you are buying the right type (dog vs. cat) and size for your pet.  Finally, if you have any questions about your pet’s health at any time, give us a call!
 
Additional Information:
VIN News Service - Veterinarians temper flea-collar fears raised by news report

We hope this information is helpful to you!

Sincerely,
Your friends at Greenwich Animal Hospital
Thank you for trusting Greenwich Animal Hospital with the care of your pet's health.
This electronic communication is being sent to you by VIN Practice on behalf of Greenwich Animal Hospital - 430 W. Putnam Ave, Greenwich, CT 06830 United States.
(VIN Practice is a division of the Veterinary Information Network, 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, California, 95616, USA,
 (800) 454-0576)
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