Make money doing the work you believe in
Flea & Tick Meds, Neurological Reactions… and Why “Mild” Reactions Are Never Just Mild
I was reading what Karen Becker and Rodney Habib shared recently…
“Scientists have uncovered a potential explanation for why some dogs experience seizures and other neurological issues after taking common flea and tick medications like Bravecto, NexGard, Credelio, Simparica, and Revolution. Real-world reports show that certain dogs, especially puppies, older dogs, or those with genetic vulnerabilities, can develop tremors, seizures, or other nervous system problems. The study suggests that these drugs may reach the brain through a “back door” pathway called centripetal (retrograde) axonal transport, bypassing the usual protective blood brain barrier. Additionally, certain chemical additives in the medications, such as PFAS compounds, may increase this risk by helping the drugs enter nerve cells or acting as neurotoxic agents themselves. Overall, this research highlights a previously underappreciated nerve pathway that could explain why some dogs are more susceptible to neurological side effects from flea and tick treatments.”
…and it puts into perspective something we have challenged for years regarding the safety of these products.
Dogs don’t just randomly react. And reactions don’t stay small.
I have always said:
If your dog has any reaction… even mild… that is a warning sign.
Not something to ignore. Not something to explain away.
Because what I see over and over again:
First dose → “a little off”
Next dose → more noticeable
Next dose → now we’re dealing with tremors, anxiety, or seizures
These reactions can build. They can intensify.
And once you cross that line… you don’t always get your dog back to baseline easily.
That research is giving us a possible explaination as to why.
What’s being discussed is this pathway:
→ Retrograde axonal transport
In plain terms?
Instead of being filtered out the way we assume…
These compounds may travel along the nerves directly into the brain.
A “back door.”
No checkpoint. No real buffer.
So when I hear:
“My dog acted weird after it”
“He seemed anxious for a few days”
“She had tremors once but it stopped”
…I woudn’t t brush that off.
Because that’s not nothing.
Let’s talk about the line I hear all the time when trying to get people to go natural.
“We’ve used it for years and never had a problem.”
Until you do.
And when you do… it’s usually not subtle.
It’s:
a seizure
sudden behavioral changes
neurological symptoms that don’t fully resolve
perhaps long-term chronic health issues.
That’s the part people don’t expect.
Because everything looked fine… until it wasn’t.
The products we’re talking about
These aren’t neutral compounds:
Bravecto
NexGard
Simparica
Credelio
Revolution
They are designed to impact the nervous system of the insects that bite your dog. So it seems logical that it’s likley to affect your dog’s own nervous system.
So when the nervous system reacts…
That’s not surprising.
This is why I promote going natural.
Because I’ve watched what happens when dogs hit their threshold with these products.
What “go natural” actually means
This doesn’t mean:
do nothing
ignore parasites
hope for the best
It means:
You take control instead of outsourcing it to a chemical protocol.
You reduce overall exposure
Less chemical load on the nervous system
Less cumulative stress on detox pathways
You support the dog daily
Gut health
Mineral balance
Detox pathways (liver, lymph, kidneys)
Skin barrier health
You use layered protection instead of one heavy hit
Environmental control
Natural repellents — nutrition, essential oils, garlic, DE.
Strategic timing (not year-round blanket dosing)
Because here’s the truth most people don’t hear
These medications often aren’t the first problem.
They’re the final straw.
The thing that pushes a dog who is:
already inflamed
already overloaded
already sensitive
…over the edge.
What I want you to take seriously
If your dog has ever:
acted off after a dose
had a “weird” day or two
shown any neurological sign
That is not random.
Today — it’s your opportunity to pivot before it escalates.
This is where you slow down and make a different decision
Informed. Intentional. Preventative.
Because the pattern I see is this:
“It was fine… until it wasn’t.”
And once it’s not…
You’re trying to undo something instead of prevent it.
If you’re ready to:
move away from these products
build a natural flea/tick plan that actually works
or support a dog that’s already reacted
Start here:
Because your dog doesn’t need to be the one that proves the point.
