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Fleas and Flea Control

What are fleas?
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that live by feeding on the blood of host animals, such as dogs and cats (and wild animals, such as raccoons, opossums, and foxes.)

The Life Cycle of Fleas
Female fleas lay eggs on the host, which then readily fall off onto carpet and furniture. These eggs hatch into larvae in 2 to 7 days. Larvae like to burrow deep into fibers, away from any light sources. The larvae develop into pupae in about 2 weeks. Adult fleas hatch from the pupae stage in 8 to 14 days. Adult fleas begin feeding almost immediately once they find a host (sometimes within 2 minutes!) Female fleas can consume 15 times their body weight in blood daily! Flea reproduction begins with 24 to 48 hours after the fleas first begin to feed. Female fleas produce an average of 27 eggs per day, and can produce eggs for over 100 days!





Why should I use a flea control product on my dog or cat?
Not only do fleas spread disease, they can also cause discomfort to your pet. Because fleas feast on your pets’ blood, in severe infestations, fleas can even cause your pet to be anemic. Also, many pets are allergic to the saliva of fleas, causing them even more discomfort. This “flea allergy” can cause severe itching, hair loss, and even lead to bacterial skin infections.

Which flea product should I use?
There are a number of flea products you can purchase from your veterinarian; some are oral, and some are topical. Over-the-counter flea control products are not recommended, mainly because, 1) they just don’t work and 2) they can contain chemicals that can be hazardous to your pet’s health. Some of the chemicals can cause convulsions, seizures, and even death. The products you purchase from your veterinarian have been thoroughly tested for safety. You should consult with your veterinarian to find the best product for you and your vet. Here is a list of some of the flea products available from your veterinarian:

• Sentinel: A combination heartworm preventative and flea control product. This product does not kill adult fleas, but renders any eggs they may lay sterile. This product also helps treat and control roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infections. This is an oral product, available for dogs only.

• Revolution: A combination product that prevents heartworm infection, and prevents and controls flea infestation. Revolution kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. This product also has the added benefit of controlling American Dog Tick Infestations. This is a topical product that penetrates the dermal layer of the skin, and enters the blood stream, making it waterproof. This product is available for dogs and cats.

• Advantage: This is a topical product that kills larvae and adult fleas. Advantage begins to kill fleas in 1 hour after application, and stops fleas from biting in 3 to 5 minutes. It is water resistant and is available for dogs and cats.

• Frontline Plus: This is a topical flea and tick control product. Frontline kills flea eggs, their larvae, and adults. Frontline spreads over the body and into the oil glands in the skin. From the oil glands, it continually coats the skin and hair coat. The fleas become hyper-stimulated upon contact, and rise to the top of the coat. It is waterproof for 30 days. Frontline also kills 100% of ticks (Deer, Brown, Lone Star, and American Dog tick) within 24 to 48 hours of application, and kills all life cycles of ticks. (Ticks can still attach, but they will die and fall off in 24 to 48 hours.)

What about ticks? Why should my pet be on a tick control product?
Ticks can spread blood borne infections, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. These can make your pet very ill. If you live in an area where ticks are found, your pet may benefit from a combination flea and tick preventative, such as Frontline or Revolution.

Useful web links: www.nofleas.com (Advantage Website)
www.Frontline.com
www.revolutionfordogs.com
www.petwellness.com (Sentinel, Novartis website)





Having Trouble With Potty Training?

If you are having trouble with potty training, here is a method you can try. Place bells on a rope and hang them so the puppy can reach them, And every time you take your puppy out to potty, shake them and say potty, or whatever word you use with the puppy. Usually within a matter of a week they know what to do, to get your attention. This works for most dogs that won't bark. And it's pretty amazing to hear your dog ringing bells for you.

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