companions:fleas

Companions

1 Flea, 2 Fleas, 3 fLEAS...oH NO!

by gerri reid, dvm

Spring is coming! Many of us will be happy to see more sunshine rather than snow! We will begin to see more outdoor events. It is time for more walks in the park and more playtime outside. But with all this outdoor exposure, we must remember to protect our pets from the environmental parasites that lurk around us…Fleas!

Fleas are the most common external parasite found on dogs. They survive by feeding on your dog's blood. The presence of fleas causes your pet to chew and scratch at its skin repeatedly. This can lead to hair loss and reddened, irritated skin. Fleas can also transmit other parasites such as tapeworms.

Understandings fleas is the key to treating and preventing infestations. When pet owners find fleas on their pet, the first thing they do is treat the pet with some kind of topical flea prevention. Or bath the pet in flea/tick shampoo. We need to understand that this is not all that needs to treated. Educating ourselves about the life cycle of fleas will better help us treat for fleas.

Interesting fact: Fleas spend 95% of their life OFF the pet and in the environment!

Therefore, knowing this, don 't forget to treat your house and all bedding/blankets. You can treat your home with flea powders or flea bombs but be sure to read the instructions and use as directed. You can also opt to have a professional pest control company treat your home. It takes approximately 3 months to successfully treat and get rid of fleas. So pack your patience and be consistent when treating not only your home but also your pet. When it comes to your pet, choosing the right treatment is important. Flea/tick shampoos can be a quick fix to rid your pet of visible fleas but can be very drying to the skin. Over-thecounter topical flea/tick preventions are helpful but beware of those labeled " all natural" or " organic " . Many of these products can be harmful to your pet. Remember, when treating your pet(s), you must treat all the pets in the house including cats.

There are products that are sold over-the-counter that are effective when treating your dog.

Products such as Advantix or Frontline are sold at Petsmart. These products are applied topically or directly on your pet's skin between the shoulder blades. It is recommended to apply it every 30 days but if your pet is having a flea issue then it is recommended to apply it every 21 days. You can also contact your Veterinarian for a recommendation for flea/tick prevention.

We all will be happy to have warmer days coming. It's time for our dogs to get outside and a enjoy a good run thru the yard or park. But with all this outdoor fun, pet owners need to remember to protect your dog against the #1 parasite…FLEAS! It is highly recommended to treat your pet monthly with flea/tick prevention but don't forget your house! Hello

Spring…Goodbye Fleas! Dr. Gerri S. Reid is the Owner/Veterinarian of Reid Mobile Veterinary Services. She can be reached at 540-623-3029 or reidmobilevetservices.com or facebook @ReidMobileVetServices