Letters to the Editor

Dear editor, We have been made aware of a news story circulating about Seresto Flea and Tick Collars and since we have been recommending them for our patients, and using them on our own pets since 2013, we wanted to share with you what we know about the concern. The news story indicates “reports” of adverse events without supporting data or explanation of what the events were. We suspect that owners linked Seresto collars to normal, but unfortunate disease processes that happened to occur during the eight months or longer they had the collar placed on their pet. We want owners to report adverse events so that patterns can be spotted. But it is very important to note that a “correlation” of the use of a product or medication, is not the same as “causation” of all ensuing events. It is frustrating, but it can be very hard to understand and tease out the difference. When looked at closely, most adverse effect reports to the EPA and FDA fit into the category of correlation which are ripe for overinterpretation. If evidence were to be released of a true health concern we will be sure to send alerts to all of our pet parents. As of right now we suspect writers of this article have misrepresented or misinterpreted information.  That being said, everything we put in or on ourselves or our pets can carry some small degree of risk, and some individuals can react differently than the average. If your pet develops any serious illness following use of any supplement, medication, or one of the many flea/tick or heartworm preventatives commonly available, it is prudent to stop use of them and check with us about alternative options. This also is an important reminder that there are counterfeit collars and many other products sold on-line and on the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Pet owners are unsuspecting because the packaging looks identical, but the drug insert or small verbiage on the container indicates it is not an authentic Seresto brand collar. When collars or other products are purchased on-line or from non-authorized retailers the EPA cannot verify authenticity, therefore the manufacturer cannot back-up the product guarantee. We continue to try and educate owners why it is important to purchase recommended preventatives and medications through Veterinary Clinics. We have direct communication with the manufacturer for any potential adverse events. Many on-line platforms are not authorized retailers.  We have reached out to trusted sources and are looking into the validity of the accusations, but at this time we feel comfortable with continuing use of this product on our own pets.  The following is what we have received from the Seresto Collar manufacturer: • There is no established link between death and exposure to the active ingredients contained in Seresto • Since its initial approval in 2012, more than 25 million Seresto collars have protected dogs and cats in the U.S. from fleas, ticks and the resulting tick-borne illnesses that can impact their quality of life • As a globally marketed product, more than 80 regulatory authorities around the world, including the US EPA, rigorously reviewed the safety data collected over the course of Seresto’s development prior to registration and/or approval, as appropriate. The safety and efficacy of Seresto are continuously monitored and scrutinized by global regulatory bodies as well as via internal processes • All adverse events, product related or not, are collected, evaluated and reported. It is critically important to understand that a report is not an indication of cause • Since its approval, the reporting rate for all incidents related to Seresto is less than 0.3 percent in the U.S. The majority of these incidents relate to non-serious effects such as temporary hair loss and mild skin irritation around the application site. It is important to make sure the collar is not fitted too tightly around an animal’s neck. We recommend the collar be snug while still being able to fit two to three fingers under it • It is important that consumers purchase collars from an authorized clinic or retailer to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the products they are buying We want pet parents to know we recommend many specific tick control products (Spot-ons, oral products, and seresto collars) because they are the best way to prevent Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis which are both extremely prevalent in our area and can cause very serious disease for our canine patients.  Please be assured, if we are notified of a serious health concern regarding Seresto brand collars or any of the other flea and tick brand preventatives we recommend, we will alert pet parents.  Thank you, Dr. John Dally and Dr. Mark Baenen Spring Green Animal Hospital   Dear editor, Wildlife Forever ATV Club would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their donations during our Fisheree Fundraiser in Arena held on February 20 at Trader’s Bar and Grill.   Proceeds will be split amongst Arena Fire & EMS, Arena Food Pantry, River Valley Trap Club and will also be used for ATV/UTV road and trail signage and maintenance. We had the pleasure of hosting fishing to 74 children, each of them received a fishing pole and many prizes were given out for various types of fish.  Congratulations to all the prize winners. A special thank you to the following sponsors for donating items to the kids fishing event:  Kate’s Bait and Sporting Goods for donating all the bait, Trader’s Bar and Grill for donating fish for kids and hosting the event.  A special shout out to Greg Hall, Shannon Stevens, Jim Schloeich, The Centurians, and Halverson Land Surveying for their generous donations. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time during this event, especially Phil Lewis, Phyliss Hoffman and the River Valley Trap Club.  You ALL make it possible to continue this fun event.  The community support for our Wildlife Forever ATV Club has been overwhelming.  We look forward to seeing everyone in 2022. Sincerely, Diane Halverson Secretary, Wildlife Forever ATV Club  Arena   Dear editor, The Spring Green Area Chamber of Commerce held a “Love Local” promotion throughout the month of February.  We created a “Love Local” punch card where one would take the punch card to any of the 31 participating businesses and they would receive a “punch” for every $5 spent.  We did not anticipate this promotion would be so welcomed and so widely utilized.  We had random drawings throughout the month as well as a grand prize of $250 in chamber bucks. A total of 1,094 “Love Local” punch cards were returned to our chamber, creating over $54,000 spent in the River Valley in February.  That number is remarkable and we are so thankful to the community and the visitors to our River Valley to help make this promotion successful!  Congratulations to the Grand Prize winner, Matt Erdman, and congratulations to the our random prize winners: Diane Kaiser, Laura Sartori, Lori Mahoney, Laurie Turner, Kathy Adams, Cindy Robinson, Bob Berry, Kriss Marion, Marge Hottman, Howard Marklein, Paula Wedige, Sara Stellick, Monica Pilon, Kelsey Sutcliffe, Rebecca Weidner, Kim Nolet, Brooke Hogan, Zach Halverson, Vicki Meyer, Karen Severance, Jessica Brandt, Cory Schmidt, Keith Craker, Jeannie McCarville, Phyllis Owen, Sallie Jacobsen, and Kris Stoddard.    A huge shout out to the 31 businesses that took a chance on another crazy idea of mine: Ali Kauss Adornment, Alfred Art to Wear, Arcadia Books, Arthur’s Supper Club, Bargain Nook, Baron Brooks, Bear Vale Farms, Bowdatious Salon, Cedar Grove Cheese, Convivio, Country Sampler, Culver’s of Spring Green, Doerre Hardware, Hometown Supermarket, Nina’s Department & Variety Store, North Earth Gifts, Pamela’s Fine Jewelry, Panacea, Paper Loon Studio, Prairie Flowers & Gifts, Prem Meats, Rite-Way Plaza, Spring Branch Pottery, Spring Green General Store, Spring Green Healthmart Pharmacy, The Office Market, The Opal Man, The Shed, Valley Springs Farm Fresh Beef, Wilson Creek Pottery and Wisconsin Riverside Resort.  Thank you again to everyone who participated in the “Love Local” punch card promotion. Be sure to like our page on Facebook and Instagram to follow our monthly promotions! Julie Jensen, executive director Spring Green Area Chamber of Commerce Spring Green   Dear editor, The Spring Green Lions annual Spaghetti Dinner was held recently.  It was a huge success!  With carry-out only, no other group to help sell tickets, and with the proceeds staying with the Lions, we didn’t know how many people to expect.  We sold over 500 dinners.  The Lions would like to thank the following: everyone who came to the dinner, everyone who gave donations, The Shed, and The Home News.   Thank you,  Jim Thering Spring Green Lions Treasurer