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If you were asked if your dog is healthy and happy, how would you
respond? A dog can’t speak for himself and relies on you to be his eyes
and ears for everything in his or her world. That means everything,
from what is the best diet to reading the signs of illness. How can you
control flea infestation? It is to supply this information that this
little article has been written.
Dangers of Fleas
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.
Preventing Infection
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.
Treatment
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)
Follow this information to better understand the health of your pet so
you know when it is appropriate to take serious action to assist a
vulnerable or ailing dog
Michael Fortomas is a teacher of Biology in a High School in Athens Greece. Also a
freelance journalist - writing about health, the environment and
development - issues I care deeply about. For petcare natural products, visit: http://native.ultra-herbs.com
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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