Vets urged to cut pesticide flea treatments amid river pollution fears

Vets often recommend regular flea treatment. But this may have drastic implications for wildlife because of the insecticides contained in the products. Photograph: Antonio Gravante/Alamy

Vets should limit the use of flea treatments containing pesticides on dogs and cats, scientists have said, after a study revealed the vast amount of toxic substances in them that end up in rivers.

Pet owners using these flea treatments risk contaminating their hands with fipronil and imidacloprid, two insecticides, for at least 28 days after the treatment has been applied, according to research by the University of Sussex and Imperial College London.