Posts tagged "Fleas"

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Getting rid of fleas while making greek salad in the laundrette.


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Pet Owners Options for Controlling Fleas

by stovak

Fleas are one of the most expensive and annoying drawbacks of owning a pet. Americans spend about nine billion dollars each year fighting these persistent parasites.  As any pet lover will tell you, cats and dogs are the main carriers. When they are let outdoors, their fur or hair acts like a magnet and attracts every hungry flea in the area.

Because they are parasites, fleas need a host to survive.  The average flea can survive for up to two years if it has a steady food source. Without a host, however, an adult flea will only live for a few days.  Therefore, when the flea finds a warm and inviting environment, he will dig himself in and he won’t leave until he’s evicted or killed.

The most obvious sign your pet has become a hot meal for fleas is incessant scratching. Yes, all animals scratch themselves, but if he is doing it nonstop it probably means he’s being bitten by fleas. When pet owners catch the problem early on, they can often deal with it quickly and affordably. But when an animal is infested, it probably means the fleas have begun to reproduce and that a portion of them will have jumped ship to find new hosts.

While we are less attractive hosts because there are fewer places to hide, human are targets for fleas, especially when a home is infested. The female adult flea begins laying eggs just two days after her first meal.  About a week later, she will enter her peak cycle where she produces about 30 eggs each day. As you might imagine, this can produce an infestation that affects everyone in the household. Humans many not be the primary host. But it is not at all uncommon for people in flea-infested homes to wake up with flea bites on their backs or stomachs.

How to Kill Them

Fleas are an incredibly formidable enemy. They are difficult to find and they don’t die easily. If you have a long-haired pet, getting rid of all the fleas can sometimes seem like a Sisyphean task. But you must remain vigilant. For if you don’t deal with the problem immediately the entire home may become infested, and then every square inch will have to be treated. Let us take a moment to review the best methods of dispatching fleas.

But before we begin, we want to stress the importance of following package directions. Sure it seems obvious, but many pet owners make the mistake of purchasing the wrong type of medications and using too much of it. For instance, cats are incredibly sensitive to products that were designed for dogs. So, make sure you purchase the right product for the right species and that you read all labels carefully.

Shampoos

Flea shampoos are the most popular and affordable way to rid you pet of blood-sucking parasites. But these products can be difficult to use. For one thing, most pets don’t like baths, and cats are especially hydrophobic. Also, shampoos are typically only a temporary solution. They may stop your pets from scratching for a couple of days, but there is no guarantee that will kill all the fleas.

Flea Dip

Unlike a simple shampooing, a dip leaves a powerful chemical residue that continues killing fleas for up to two weeks. The downside is that these chemicals are extremely harsh and they may irritate your pet’s skin. We only recommend this procedure if the animal is infested with fleas, ticks, or mites. The average dip will kill them all without a trace.

Flea Collars

Flea collars are one of the least effective options for pet owners. While they do emit a toxic gas that fends of fleas, they do not actually kill them. Typically, the fleas that are in close proximity to the collar, i.e., in the head and neck region, simply pull up stakes and relocate.  There are, however, more powerful collars that emit gases that are actually absorbed into the skin, which can be effective at killing or at least evicting fleas.

Powders and Sprays

Much like the collars, powders and sprays rarely kill fleas. They simply make them flee. Sorry, we couldn’t resist. But the truth about these products is that they are another short-term solution. They may scare fleas away for a few days, but once they wear off, they will return. In the end, it is less expensive and time consuming to invest in a permanent solution.

Spot-on Treatments

While they may not be a cure, spot-on treatments are easy to use and longer lasting than most solutions.  Applied between the shoulder blades, these products typically last for about a month. Many brands include an ingredient that will prevent larva from hatching and thusly halt infestation.

Medication

Prescription pills stop fleas from replicating, but they will not kill them.  As the parasites continue to feed, chemicals in the pet’s blood stop the fleas from producing viable eggs. A combination of oral medication and flea shampoos or spot-treatments have proven remarkably effective at ending infestations.

How to Control Fleas in Dogs

by cursedthing

This illness is very painful for your pet. Thus, measures should be taken to alleviate pain such as medication and giving them a warm and comfortable place to rest in, especially for older dogs. Regular walks and physical exercises can reduce weight, which can decrease the dog’s discomfort. For young pups, gradual introduction of adult dog food is recommended for gradual gain weight.  Fleas are parasites that feed off your dog’s blood. Flea eggs can be found almost everywhere – in your couch, carpet, etc. so the likelihood of infection is very high. To know if your dog has fleas, look for flea excrement – small, dark, curly dots that are also known as “flea dirt.”

To do this, brush your pet’s coat with a white cloth or sheet and look for these black specks, which contains digested blood that looks reddish brown when wet. If your dog has a darker coat, eggs that resemble dandruff is visible when a magnifying glass is used.

Besides really annoying your dog, fleas can also cause an allergic reaction called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) which leads to hair loss, skin inflammation and irritation. For severe cases, your pet can experience anemia due to blood loss. This can be fatal if your pet is young or debilitated. Also, fleas are carriers of common tapeworms, which can cause cramping and gas.

Putting flea powder on your vacuum cleaner will exterminate all the fleas inside the bag. Monthly topicals is an easy and inexpensive approach to protect your house from fleas. Bio Spot or Frontline Plus are recommended topical brands available. You might also want to build a doghouse or spot for your dog that is elevated since fleas can’t jump higher than a foot. Water is a flea’s top enemy, so wash the areas that a dog might run around – like your backyard. Minimal contact with grasses and woods will lessen the possibility of infection. If you have a garden, trim leaves and clear brushes, as well as grassy and kennel areas.

If you have a home grooming kit for your dog, it is best to include a flea comb. Use it regularly on your pet. Its soft, fine bristles, it will catch the flea. Start combing around the hindquarters and the pet’s head, where flea dirt can also be seen. When you trap a flea, immediately put it in soap-water solution. Fleas thrive in warm conditions, that’s why in warmer climates, it is best to give your dog flea products the whole year. Although pupa stages can become dormant in cold climates, increasing the length of its lifespan composed of egg, larva, pupa and adult.

A flea bath is the first step to a parasite-free pet. Be careful in using a flea shampoo because most products are too harsh on puppies. Consult your veterinarian on what to use if your puppy has fleas. It can also relieve irritation and itching. Don’t stop at shampooing because it doesn’t really protect your dog after getting a bath.

One alternative is using flea dips that keep fleas at bay for some time after dipping, but it is not recommended by most veterinarians. The downside is that your dog might eat or swallow these parasites after licking, since a flea dip stays on the dog’s hair coat. Another option is a flea collar. It will only kill all the fleas in the dog’s neck and face – not the whole body. Some also dogs develop a rash when using flea collars. While flea medallions can contaminate the dog’s drinking water, since it hangs loose from the collar.

A good choice is the use of flea sprays and powders – both for your dog and your house, so be careful in reading the instructions to know which is which. Products intended for your home is too strong to use on your pet. Using two or three different flea products at the same time can be toxic for your dog.

If there are numerous fleas that infested your dog, it is recommended that you treat your home too. Methoprene and fenoxycarb, two active ingredients contained in flea sprays are efficient and safe. It stops the growth of eggs into adult fleas. As mentioned, sprays are too strong for dogs, so take them outside for a walk when you treat your home. Some products are designed to destroy adult fleas – one product is Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) can help kill flea eggs and larvae. Before applying such products, vacuum your carpet or furniture first to rouse eggs and larvae from their cocoons.

Veterinarians recommend these products to for flea control: Pyriproxyfen (Nylor, Archer), Imidacloprid (Advantage), Lufenuron (Program), Fipronil (Frontline Top Spot), Cythioate (Proban), and Fenthion (Pro-Spot).

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