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Dogs & Fleas |
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2008-02-20 |
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Fleas have been around a while now and the chances of them continuing to be amongst us are very good. Unless you live in Alaska, Antarctica or some other place where there’s extreme cold, fleas are nasty little blood suckers that must be dealt with swiftly and severely. Remember, it was the fleas on the rats that spread the black plague.
Fleas are hardy little insects that live from 6-12 months. In only 1 year, a pair of fleas can produce millions of offspring that jump from 15-36 inches. This may not seem so impressive until you realize that if humans could jump like fleas, we would be leaping over 100 story buildings in a single bound.
There are 4 stages to a flea’s life. The first flea stage, which is about 50% of the population, is eggs. A female flea lays 15-20 eggs every day. This means she can lay 600 or more eggs in her lifetime. Phase II of a fleas life is the “Larvae” stage where the tiny blood sucker develops. This is about 30% of the population. In Phase III, they’re called “Pupae” or “pre-adults” making up about 15% of the flea population. Phase IV is full on adult flea, the remaining 5%, that lives off the blood of your dog or any other warm blooded animal the flea can bite into including humans. Yuck!
Fleas are tiny, relentless, disease carrying creatures. If your dog has fleas and it’s left untreated, your baby could end up with severe skin irritations, nasty infections, anemia or even tapeworms. Not to mention being horribly uncomfortable from the little creatures biting all day and night.
If your dog is continually scratching, has scabs or dark specs on their body (which may be flea dirt), has red splotches, hot spots or obvious severe irritation, they may have FAD (flea allergy dermatitis). This can become serious literally overnight, so please see your Veterinarian and get the medication your canine needs.
On the other hand, your dog may not be scratching at all, but still may have fleas. Check your dog every day while you’re petting & loving on them. Give them a good brushing too. Most dogs love it. This is a great way to keep on top of any potential problems and reinforces the bond you already have with your canine family member.
To help get rid of fleas on your dog, first give them a bath with mild flea shampoo in cool (not cold) water (the cool water calms down irritated skin). Spray on doggie safe hydrocortisone (this can be purchased from your local pet store, your Veterinarian, or online) to help with the really sensitive hot spots and the general discomfort of having fleas continually biting and multiplying. After your dog is dry you still need to prevent any future infestations.
To prevent fleas, it's best to get a once per month topical flea treatment that repels and kills fleas, tics and mosquitoes. The topical “Advantix” works like a super star. It’s placed on the skin in a few places every month and within 24-48 hours has completely covered your dog with a protective shield against fleas, tics & mosquitoes. It’s also waterproof after curing so it’s fine if your dog goes swimming or needs a bath. For those who prefer a more natural approach, there are many products available for your dog. The natural approach requires more diligence on your part but can often work well.
Now that you’ve treated your dog for fleas, it’s time to rid your house and your dog’s house of them. Fleas and their eggs end up on basically everything. The carpet, rugs, beds, blankets, clothing. Anything your dog had contact with or was within flea jumping distance. If you don’t rid your house of them now then you have not broken the cycle of flea infestation. So, since your dog has on their super shield flea repellent, then the little buggers are going to start looking elsewhere for fresh blood; like you, your guests or your children.
Generally a good washing of blankets, bedding and clothing in warm/hot water does the trick. Get some “20 Mule Team Borax” and mix it with your detergent (fleas don’t like borax). You can also sprinkle borax on your carpets, rugs & upholstery. Leave for a few hours and then vacuum really well. Be sure to discard the bag immediately. If your vacuum is bag less then clean out the container with bleach water. Be sure to discard the filter after your flea cleaning spree or the fleas, pupae & eggs you vacuumed up will continue to flourish.
Remember to clean the car and the dog house too!
An alternative to borax for your furniture, carpets, etc. is "Demize" which is an insect growth inhibitor (IGI) and can be purchased at most home and garden supply stores or online. Be sure to read all the instructions carefully. This is a chemical and must be handled responsibly.
If your dog had fleas, so does your yard. The best way to rid your yard of fleas is to destroy them with their natural enemy, “Nematodes”. Nematodes are microscopic worms (the good kind) that kill flea eggs and larvae. This equals 80% of the flea population. Nematodes are your friend. If you decide on Nematodes, start in shaded areas (direct sun kills these wonderful little creatures). You can buy Nematodes at your local pet supply store or home & garden store. Whichever method you choose, be sure to break the cycle of flea infestation.
The bottom line: Fleas are nasty, blood-sucking insects that not only bite and often carry parasites & disease but they multiply rapidly and get out of control fast. Kill the fleas now. Treat your dog for fleas now. Do what’s best for you and all your family members. Especially the furry ones. They count on you to care for them. Do a good job. The rewards are endless. .
Note: Always talk with your Veterinarian before giving any oral or topical medications. This is especially critical if your dog has special needs or any other health issues.
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Dogs & Fleas Pets Home & Family |
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Related Article:Dogs & Fleas |
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John Williams |
2007-10-16 |
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Title: Removing Dog Fleas - Dog Training
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So you have discovered evidence that your dog has these annoying little pests they call fleas, and now you have no idea how to get them out of your house and home, this article will talk your through the main ways to get rid of these fleas from your dogs coat and from your home.
Getting rid of fleas is no easy task as many other dog owners will tell you, but the chances are that fleas will happen through either another dog coming to play with yours or just picking them up from playing amongst damp fine gravel or sand where fleas like to live and breed.
So let's take you through the easiest and best ways to rid of theses pests.
The first step is to take your dog or pet to the vet and have the fleas professionally identified to avoid giving your dog the wrong treatment, and get professional advice on possible new products that are on the market.
After this, the vacuum cleaner should come out. This is a very effective way of getting rid of many of the pupae, larvae or eggs that may be lurking beneath the surface of your carpet. Do this often and it will reduce the number of fleas quickly and easily.
The next step is to use household insecticide to clear your house of any flea related growths that your vacuum cleaner may have missed. Although I do not encourage insecticide and other chemicals near your dog or family this is one case where it is vital for getting rid of fleas. Always read the labels carefully and get a well known or professionally recommended product.
After the initial insecticide process and being careful to reach every possible area and corner you may want to insecticide your garden to ensure full removal of fleas, the garden could be more of a problem than the house, and could be where the flea problem began so be sure to target fine gravel or sandy areas where fleas may be living.
Your dog is the next obvious step and there are hundreds of products perfectly safe for your dog that will rid him/her of the annoying itchiness. Go to your nearest pet shop or vet and they should have sufficient products that will help.
After all this, you may think that the flea problem has gone forever but there may still be pupae that has survived the insecticide due to their protective cocoon, taking the same measurements as noted above two weeks later, should help the full removal of all things flea related and your dog will be able to sleep again.
If the problem persists, please contact your vet or other professional advice.
For more information on dog behavior training visit the dog-behavior-training.co.uk website at this link...Dog Training.
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simon uzoma |
2007-08-24 |
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Title: DOG ITCHY AND HOW TO PREVENT IT
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Heart worm, fleas and other parasitesHeart worm, fleas and other parasites in dogs need to be eliminated by following appropriate medications in them. Many products have come up in the commercial fields to protect the dogs from heart worms, fleas and other parasites like hook worms, whip worms, round worms, lice, ticks etc. http://tinyurl.com/2huef8 Among the heart worm, fleas and other parasites, the fleas produce the hyper sensitive reactions in the affected animals. Hence, the animals infested with fleas start severely scratching of body. Many times, the scratching is so severe and the skin becomes more hyperemic and dermatitis occurs in the affected areas. http://tinyurl.com/2huef8 Animal will not lie down or sleep comfortably due to the constant bites by the fleas. Hence, animal looks as if affected by some severe skin disease. If the animal is not properly attended for this tick bite problem, there will be often secondary bacterial invasions in these sites and there may even be a bad smell emanating from the skin areas. Close observation of the dog is highly essential to rule out the occurrence of fleas disturbing the animal to a greater extent. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be tested for the presence of ticks, lice etc. For this, the hair materials need to be separated and the close observation with patience is required for the proper diagnosis. http://tinyurl.com/2huef8 In many incidences, if anemia is present, the blood protozoa need to be ruled out in addition to the hookworm problems. The clinical problems like anemia, loose motion, pot belly etc. might be recognized by the dog owners themselves and however, the dog needs to undergo the routine health related examination involving fecal examination, hematological examination and blood smear examination. Many commercial products have come up in the market, which are useful to deal with all these conditions by single dose. Drugs like ivermectin are highly useful and are available in both injection and oral form in addition to the solution form that can be applied on the skin. These drugs in dogs can lead to the prophylaxis of these conditions also.http://www.arthritisdog.blogspot.com
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Brent Jones |
2006-05-13 |
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Title: How to Win the War against Your Dogs Fleas
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All dogs pick up fleas, ticks, and chiggers at one time or another, usually during the warm weather months. Even a pampered city pet can pick up a stray flea from a potted plant. Hunting dogs often return home with a collection of chiggers or ticks. Fleas hop from one dog to another with amazing speed and agility. Your pet only needs to greet one flea infested friend in order to acquire the beginning of a flea colony of his own. External parasites are not a special affliction of dogs. The dog is simply a convenient host for them. We would probably have them too, if our bodies were covered with hair and we ran around without shoes and clothing and sat or slept on the ground. Fleas are the most common, the easiest to detect and to get rid of. Fleas appear as black specks on a fine tooth comb, and a single one can drive a dog crazy. The worst part of fleas is that they act as hosts to tapeworm larvae, and if your dog swallows one you may end up with a worm problem too. You can trap fleas in a silky smooth coat with a flea comb, but fleas that nestle in the dense undercoat of double coated dogs must be treated with a product that penetrates the skin, and a regular mild treatment is safer than an occasional severe one. In one day a single flea can bite your pet 400 times, while consuming more than its own bodyweight in blood. Some dogs can contract flea allergy dermatitis, an allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva. The severity and length of the flea season varies depending on what part of the country you live in, but it is best to treat your pet in early spring, (April – May). In northern climates, flea and tick season usually lasts approximately 4 months, but in the extreme south, fleas can live all year long. There are more than 2000 species of fleas in the United States alone, but the one that attacks most pets is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides Felis. A cat flea can lay up to one egg per hour, and within two days, a wormlike larvae will hatch from those eggs. The eggs are oval, smooth, and about 0.5mm in size. The hatched larvae will range from 1.5 to 5mm in length. The complete cycle from egg to adult takes approximately 30 to 75 days depending on temperature and humidity. Adult fleas are about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, are dark reddish brown, wingless, hard bodied, have three pairs of legs and are flattened from side to side. Fleas can jump vertically up to seven inches, and horizontally up to fourteen inches. They have piercing – sucking mouth parts and spines on their body. Adult fleas cannot survive or lay eggs without a blood meal, but may live from two months to one year without feeding. In order to effectively control an infestation, fleas must be removed from the pet, the home, and the yard. Starting with the pet, there are shampoos, topical treatments, sprays, collars, and oral medications. The least recommended is shampoo, due to the grooming the pet does to his own coat. The pesticides can be toxic if they are consumed in quantity. Topical treatments are better, along with sprays and collars, but the best and most recommended is the oral medication Lufenuron called “Program” from your veterinarian. To clean the home, all areas frequented by the dog should be cleaned thoroughly by vacuuming, washing bedding and rugs and possible treatment by insecticides. Treating your carpet with a Borate powder such as “Borax” laundry powder works as a poison upon ingestion by the flea, simply sprinkle the powder on your carpets and leave it for a few h ours before vacuuming will rid most homes of their fleas. A second treatment can follow if necessary. It’s cheap, you can do it yourself and there are no insecticides used. To treat the lawn and around the homes exterior, pyrethroids such as “Archer” or “Nylan”, as well as fenoxy carb such as “Logic” or “Torus” can be effective. Outdoor treatment is usually only done in extreme or severe cases of flea infestation and may not be necessary. You should however keep your lawn trimmed to create a drier, less ideal environment for flea larvae. If you don’t want to handle the pesticides yourself, any licensed professional pest control operator can do the treatment for you. In summary, you should check with your veterinarian before using any form of flea treatment. Never use products for dogs on a cat, as cats are more sensitive to the pesticide and they groom themselves more thoroughly. Never apply pesticides to young, pregnant, or sick animals, and use alternative methods to control fleas, such as combing frequently with a flea comb, vacuum your home frequently and dispose of the vacuum bag, wash all pet bedding regularly, and bathe your pet with a pesticide free shampoo. Prevention is much easier than dealing with an infestation. Author Bio: Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest designer dog clothes, dog collars, dog beds and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at http://www.joncopets.com
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Elizabeth Morgan |
2006-03-01 |
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Dog fleas are quite similar to cat fleas, both in appearance and behavior, and just like cat fleas, dog fleas can also breed in both cats and dogs. Both species are so similar biologically, that for practical purpose they are usually defined and talked about under the same heading. Dog and cat fleas are the most common species of fleas found in and around homes. Most of the time, pets like cats and dogs are infested with fleas without their human owners knowing about it. But if there are large numbers of fleas on the pets, humans can’t help but notice, and often suffer the affliction along with their pets! The female flea is generally 2.5 mm long, with the male flea being slightly smaller. The combs of a dog flea consist of 8 pairs of spines. The larvae of a dog flea is double the length of the adult and it generally feeds on particles of dry blood, excrement, and various organic substances collected in corners of infested premises. The infestation of the dog fleas can be easily identified in the sleeping quarters of the cats and dogs, by the presence of a salt-and-pepper like substance formed of the grayish larvae and white eggs of these fleas. These fleas also feed off many other animals, apart from cats, dogs and humans. In order to prevent dog fleas from infesting on your pets or in your premises, you have to be careful to maintain the cleanliness of your pets and premises. This can be achieved by regularly using pest control, shampooing the pets, and vacuuming the house thoroughly. Cat Fleas provides detailed information on fleas defined, cat fleas, dog fleas, flea bites and more. Cat Fleas is affiliated with French Bulldogs.
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Elizabeth Morgan |
2006-03-01 |
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There are more than 2,000 species of fleas around us. Out of these, the most common one is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. The cat adult fleas, unlike many other fleas, remain on the host. Though it exists worldwide, it is most commonly found in the United States. Cat fleas are commonly found on both cats and dogs. In order to reproduce, cat fleas needs fresh blood. They lay eggs at the rate of one egg per hour. Their life cycle consists of four stages of metamorphosis, namely egg, larval, pupa and adult. Depending on external environmental factors like temperature and humidity, this cycle lasts 30 to 75 days. The most common problem occurring due to flea bites is flea allergy dermatitis, the severity of which depends upon the sensitivity of the host. Pet owners in the United States spend millions of dollars each year on flea allergy remedies. Cat fleas often carry infection too, and are feared to be capable of carrying plague and typhus. They also serve as the intermediate host to the dog tapeworm, an intestinal parasite, which gets transmitted to the pest when the flea carrying the tapeworm cyst is ingested. The only possible way to detect fleas is to observe the behavior of your pets. Early detection of the fleas enables you to control them and minimize the suffering that can be caused to you and your pets by allergies or more serious infections transmitted by them. The most important way to control the breeding of fleas is to take proper care of sanitation of your indoor and outdoor premises. Ensuring proper care of pets by washing and shampooing them regularly is also another important factor. There are varieties of shampoos available in the market for pets, which contain pesticides, and are helpful in eradication of fleas. Only by being conscious of cleanliness can we rid ourselves of the annoyance and hazards spread by cat fleas: by preventing them from breeding in and around our homes and pets. Cat Fleas provides detailed information on fleas defined, cat fleas, dog fleas, flea bites and more. Cat Fleas is affiliated with French Bulldogs.
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Colin Philips |
2007-02-27 |
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Title: Your Dogs Health And To Get Rid Of Fleas
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All dog owners are familiar with the problems caused by pesky fleas. Fleas are very small wingless insects, brownish red in color, and have sharp mouths by which they obtain blood from their canine hosts. Flea bites usually cause your dog to scratch at affected areas and some dogs are more sensitive than others and can have allergic reactions to flea bites.
In general, fleas do not transmit diseases from dogs to humans, but the potential for this exists and they can and do bite humans as well as dogs and cats.
Fleas and flea larvae live in warm climates and will live until the ground freezes in cooler climates. They can live on in your home well past this time also.
If you suspect that your dog has fleas, you should take him to your veterinarian. Your veterinary staff member will first use a flea comb on your dog.
Flea combs are wide tooth combs and "flea dirt" or dried blood flea excrement is what they are looking for. If this is found, your veterinarian will recommend treatment.
Most veterinarians recommend preventive treatment for fleas as it is much easier to prevent them than to treat them.
For those of you that wish to treat your dog for fleas without commercial products, there are a few recommendations.
One way is to comb your dog with a flea comb regularly. You can put some petroleum jelly on the comb to help fleas stick to the comb. Other people recommend using rubbing alcohol to slow down the fleas so they are easier to catch.
Garlic and Brewers Yeast added as supplements to your dog's food are recommended by those who prefer the natural approach to treating fleas, however, the benefits of these treatments have yet to be proven.
There are several over the counter flea treatments available at your local pet store. However, many of these contain pyrethrins, which are natural insecticides derived from the chrysanthemum plant.
In the past, this kind of treatment of fleas was the only one available to veterinarians. If you choose to use a product containing pyrethrins, you should be aware of the potential side effects.
There is a potential threat of toxicity when using a product containing pyrethrins, not just to your dog, but to other animals in the house and humans as well. Make sure you follow the label usage directions and if you have any questions about using these products, consult your veterinarian.
Today, there are much safer products available. Most of these products are only available through your veterinarian. One of the most popular treatments for fleas is Frontline Plus by Merial. It is topically applied to the skin of your dog on the back of the neck.
According to Merial, Frontline Plus kills 98-100% of adult fleas within 24 hour and will also kill eggs and larvae to prevent fleas from recurring. Frontline Plus is waterproof for up to 30 days and is safe to use on puppies as young as 8 weeks of age.
Another popular flea treatment is Sentinel by Novartis. Sentinel is a monthly pill that also prevents heartworms. Sentinel kills adult fleas, eggs, and larvae.
Novartis also makes the flea control products Program and Capstar. Program is a flavored tablet that is given monthly, and while it does not kill adult fleas, it does interrupt the flea life cycle by preventing the development of flea eggs.
Program is safe to use in dogs and puppies four weeks of age and older. Capstar is a pill that is given to kill adult fleas. It can be given as often as once per day. According to Novartis, Capstar will begin killing adult fleas within 30 minutes. One pill should kill all adult fleas.
Capstar is safe for dogs and puppies four weeks of age and older.
Remember that it is much easier to prevent fleas than to treat them once your dog has them. As with all medications, follow the advice of your veterinarian.
If you need more information about fleas and flea prevention, contact a member of your veterinary staff or pet professional.
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Kelly Marshall |
2007-04-13 |
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Title: How To Prevent Your Dog From Getting Fleas
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Dog fleas are an unwanted nuisance to both the dog, and their owner. Fleas will cause irritation to your dogs skin, and to you. To prevent your dog from getting fleas there are a few different things you can do. One thing you can do is talk to your vet and see what they suggest you use. There are many products available, so your vet will probably have a better idea of what will work best for you. The age of your dog will also affect what type of flea prevention you can use. Puppies cannot use the same type of flea protection as older dogs can use. One method you can try is the dog flea spray. You can get this spray at the store, or through your vet. You will spray your dog so that it kills the fleas, and prevents them from multiplying. You do need to make sure you follow the instructions on how much, and how often you dog will need to be sprayed. Another method is the flea collar. You can find the collars at the store as well as the vet, by putting the collar on your dog it is supposed to kill any flea that bites him. If your dog does not like collars you can also try flea drops with the drops you just put the correct amount on your dogs neck. You will need to use the correct amount for the size of dog you have. Read the instructions so that you get the right size, and so that you know how often to apply the drops. Another way to prevent fleas is to use flea shampoo. The shampoo will kill any fleas that are already on your dog. You will need to make sure you bath your dog frequently to ensure the fleas do not come back. When bathing your dog you should keep him in the warm water for about fifteen minutes. The water will drown the fleas off of your dog. You should use a cooled mixture of boiled water with rosemary for the areas of your dog that were not submerged in water, this is also a great way to keep your dog smelling good. If these methods do not seem to be working you can also take your dog to the vet and have them do a flea dip. This may cost more, but will be worth it if you keep your dog and house free of dog fleas. With all these methods you will want to watch out for skin irritation. Some of these products can cause skin irritation, especially in younger dogs and much older dogs. You will also want to make sure you keep up on the treatment you have chosen, and keep checking to make sure there are no fleas. As soon as spring hits start your dog on his flea treatment.
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David Poh |
2008-04-23 |
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Title: How to Detect Fleas on Your Dogs and Remove Them?
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Fleas are external parasites and not internal parasites like tapeworms or heart worms. Fleas look round or oval in shape with tiny legs. They cling to the bodies of the dogs and suck their blood.
If you notice or observe that your dogs are scratching themselves very often, you should brush their hair and see if there are any fleas there. If there is a major flea infestation, it should be very obvious as you are likely to see a few of them falling off their bodies. If this is the case, I strongly suggest that you take your dogs to the vet for immediate treatment. You will also need to clean the physical environment that your dogs roam around including their crates and beds.
However, it is likely that you may find a few fleas on your dogs if you have been grooming them well. They are likely to have gotten these fleas when they are taken to unfamiliar places for a walk or from other dogs that they might have met outside.
Besides brushing the dogs with a comb, I always use my hands to brush their body and I find that I am able to detect the fleas better this way. Pay particular attention to areas around their necks, groin, legs and base of their tails. Whenever I feel a small lump, I will part the hair to locate the flea. I will use either a tissue or put a small plastic bag over my hands, using it as a glove, to peel the flea off the body. I will then use my slipper or sandal to kill the flea. Most of the time, you will see the blood splatter over the dead flea. So if you do a body search with your hands regularly, you should be able to detect any presence of fleas and even ticks on your dogs.
However, you may not be comfortable with brushing and peeling the fleas off the dogs, there are products like flea collars, spray and shampoo. You may want to use them regularly or periodically as part of your grooming regime. You must read and follow the instructions closely in order for them to be effective when applied on the dogs.
Once I have found a few fleas on my dogs, I would do daily body search on them and at the same time apply a medication like Frontline which is very effective in keeping the fleas and ticks at bay. I would also check their crates and beds and clean them daily to ensure that there is a clean environment and the fleas has not gone there to seek refuge. I would also use a spray on the surroundings that the dogs roam and rest in the house.
For those living in countries with four seasons, it is found that the fleas and ticks breed more quickly in spring and leading to major infestations in summer. Fleas can still breed during the cold seasons like autumn and winter due to central heating in homes.
If you maintain good hygiene and regular grooming regime for your dogs, the chances of a flea infestation is very slim. However, because your dogs may pick a flea or two from other dogs or when they are out for walks in the woods, you will have to be diligent and take immediate actions once you have detected the presence of a flea.
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Kelly Marshall |
2007-04-13 |
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Title: How To Prevent Your Dog From Getting Fleas
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Dog fleas are an unwanted nuisance to both the dog, and their owner. Fleas will cause irritation to your dogs skin, and to you. To prevent your dog from getting fleas there are a few different things you can do.
One thing you can do is talk to your vet and see what they suggest you use. There are many products available, so your vet will probably have a better idea of what will work best for you. The age of your dog will also affect what type of flea prevention you can use. Puppies cannot use the same type of flea protection as older dogs can use.
One method you can try is the dog flea spray. You can get this spray at the store, or through your vet. You will spray your dog so that it kills the fleas, and prevents them from multiplying. You do need to make sure you follow the instructions on how much, and how often you dog will need to be sprayed.
Another method is the flea collar. You can find the collars at the store as well as the vet, by putting the collar on your dog it is supposed to kill any flea that bites him. If your dog does not like collars you can also try flea drops with the drops you just put the correct amount on your dogs neck. You will need to use the correct amount for the size of dog you have. Read the instructions so that you get the right size, and so that you know how often to apply the drops.
Another way to prevent fleas is to use flea shampoo. The shampoo will kill any fleas that are already on your dog. You will need to make sure you bath your dog frequently to ensure the fleas do not come back. When bathing your dog you should keep him in the warm water for about fifteen minutes. The water will drown the fleas off of your dog. You should use a cooled mixture of boiled water with rosemary for the areas of your dog that were not submerged in water, this is also a great way to keep your dog smelling good.
If these methods do not seem to be working you can also take your dog to the vet and have them do a flea dip. This may cost more, but will be worth it if you keep your dog and house free of dog fleas.
With all these methods you will want to watch out for skin irritation. Some of these products can cause skin irritation, especially in younger dogs and much older dogs. You will also want to make sure you keep up on the treatment you have chosen, and keep checking to make sure there are no fleas. As soon as spring hits start your dog on his flea treatment.
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Colin Philips |
2007-02-27 |
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Title: Your Dogs Health And To Get Rid Of Fleas
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All dog owners are familiar with the problems caused by pesky fleas. Fleas are very small wingless insects, brownish red in color, and have sharp mouths by which they obtain blood from their canine hosts. Flea bites usually cause your dog to scratch at affected areas and some dogs are more sensitive than others and can have allergic reactions to flea bites.
In general, fleas do not transmit diseases from dogs to humans, but the potential for this exists and they can and do bite humans as well as dogs and cats.
Fleas and flea larvae live in warm climates and will live until the ground freezes in cooler climates. They can live on in your home well past this time also.
If you suspect that your dog has fleas, you should take him to your veterinarian. Your veterinary staff member will first use a flea comb on your dog.
Flea combs are wide tooth combs and "flea dirt" or dried blood flea excrement is what they are looking for. If this is found, your veterinarian will recommend treatment.
Most veterinarians recommend preventive treatment for fleas as it is much easier to prevent them than to treat them.
For those of you that wish to treat your dog for fleas without commercial products, there are a few recommendations.
One way is to comb your dog with a flea comb regularly. You can put some petroleum jelly on the comb to help fleas stick to the comb. Other people recommend using rubbing alcohol to slow down the fleas so they are easier to catch.
Garlic and Brewers Yeast added as supplements to your dog's food are recommended by those who prefer the natural approach to treating fleas, however, the benefits of these treatments have yet to be proven.
There are several over the counter flea treatments available at your local pet store. However, many of these contain pyrethrins, which are natural insecticides derived from the chrysanthemum plant.
In the past, this kind of treatment of fleas was the only one available to veterinarians. If you choose to use a product containing pyrethrins, you should be aware of the potential side effects.
There is a potential threat of toxicity when using a product containing pyrethrins, not just to your dog, but to other animals in the house and humans as well. Make sure you follow the label usage directions and if you have any questions about using these products, consult your veterinarian.
Today, there are much safer products available. Most of these products are only available through your veterinarian. One of the most popular treatments for fleas is Frontline Plus by Merial. It is topically applied to the skin of your dog on the back of the neck.
According to Merial, Frontline Plus kills 98-100% of adult fleas within 24 hour and will also kill eggs and larvae to prevent fleas from recurring. Frontline Plus is waterproof for up to 30 days and is safe to use on puppies as young as 8 weeks of age.
Another popular flea treatment is Sentinel by Novartis. Sentinel is a monthly pill that also prevents heartworms. Sentinel kills adult fleas, eggs, and larvae.
Novartis also makes the flea control products Program and Capstar. Program is a flavored tablet that is given monthly, and while it does not kill adult fleas, it does interrupt the flea life cycle by preventing the development of flea eggs.
Program is safe to use in dogs and puppies four weeks of age and older. Capstar is a pill that is given to kill adult fleas. It can be given as often as once per day. According to Novartis, Capstar will begin killing adult fleas within 30 minutes. One pill should kill all adult fleas.
Capstar is safe for dogs and puppies four weeks of age and older.
Remember that it is much easier to prevent fleas than to treat them once your dog has them. As with all medications, follow the advice of your veterinarian.
If you need more information about fleas and flea prevention, contact a member of your veterinary staff or pet professional.
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