<p>This episode of <strong>The Consult Room</strong> tackles a topic that’s quietly becoming one of the biggest ethical and environmental debates in veterinary medicine.</p><p>For decades, routine parasite prevention has been seen as essential. Monthly flea treatments. Regular worming. Often given automatically, year after year. But growing evidence now suggests that some of the chemicals used to protect our pets are ending up far beyond the clinic - in rivers, waterways, and ecosystems.</p><p>To explore what this means for pets, vets, and the planet, I’m joined by <strong>Andrew Prentis</strong>, a veterinary surgeon with nearly 40 years’ experience across private practice, charity hospitals, and academia. Andrew is a Visiting Fellow at <strong>Imperial College London</strong> and a member of the PREPP group, producing rational evidence for parasiticide prescription.</p><p>In this balanced, evidence-led conversation, we unpack how parasite treatments enter the environment, what the science actually shows, and why a more risk-based, individual approach to parasite control may be overdue.</p><p><strong>In This Episode</strong></p><ul><li>How flea and tick treatments end up in rivers and waterways</li><li>What research shows about imidacloprid and fipronil contamination</li><li>The environmental impact on insects, food chains, and biodiversity</li><li>Why “blanket prevention” became the norm in veterinary care</li><li>The difference between hazard-based and risk-based parasite treatment</li><li>Commercial pressures, pet health plans, and industry influence</li><li>Practical alternatives and what responsible parasite control could look like</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></p><p>🔹Not all pets face the same parasite risk<br>🔹Routine treatment does not always equal best practice<br>🔹Some commonly used parasite chemicals persist in the environment<br>🔹A risk-based approach can protect pets while reducing environmental harm<br>🔹Responsible prescribing builds trust without compromising welfare</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Resources &amp; Links</strong></p><p>Learn more about environmental research into parasiticides<br>Visit VetSustain for sustainability guidance in veterinary care<br>Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drpaul_thevet?igsh=c3gyOG5pcnY3cGd3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>@DrPaulTheVet</strong></a> for future episodes and updates<br>💬 <strong>Do you use parasite treatments routinely, or only when needed?</strong></p><p>Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.</p><p>📲 Don’t forget to <strong>follow the podcast</strong> and leave a review - it really helps these conversations reach more people.</p>