Now that the weather is warm and nature is
multiplying by leaps and bounds, so too are fleas and ticks. Fleas are the most
common cause of skin disease in cats and dogs. Is your cat or dog frequently
scratching and/or crying out in distress? Does your cat seem to be spending
less time on the floor and more time atop high furniture or the refrigerator?
Are your ankles being bitten? If so, suspect a flea infestation.
There are many products available in the form of
collars, sprays, powders, shampoos, etc. Try to start treatment with the least
toxic solutions. And, whatever you choose, treat all the pets in your
household. Remember that treatment appropriate for a dog may not be for a cat,
puppy or kitten. And, be very careful with products around pregnant women and
children.
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Frequently change and wash pet bedding and vacuum. Since fleas
continue to develop in vacuum bags, put a flea collar in the bag. Carpets can
be treated with anti-flea mineral salts available through a company called
‘Fleabusters’.
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Comb your pet with a special flea comb.
Frequently dip the comb in soapy water or an alcohol solution to kill the flea
matter collected from your pet. Discard the water down the toilet.
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Frequent bathing and grooming will help control infestations.
(Because of their meticulous self-grooming, fleas are harder to find on cats.)
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Insect Growth Regulators are available as sprays
or food additives from veterinarians.
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Keep your grass mown and try to learn to live
with ants—they eat flea eggs & larvae.
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Some pet owners find herbal collars, brewer’s yeast and garlic
supplements, as well as cedar bedding, to be helpful in controlling fleas (and
ticks).
The adult fleas you actually see on your pet
represent only a tiny fraction of the population. The greater body of eggs and
young developing fleas, living in rugs, bedding and furniture must also be
controlled (frequent vacuuming). Since fleas carry tapeworms, your pet could
become infected when biting and ingesting fleas.
If all your efforts fail and you need to call a
pest control company, be sure to take your pets with you when you vacate during
the extermination. Add a couple of hours to the recommended time to stay away.
Remember, your pet doesn’t understand cautions not to lick the floor!
Since cats don’t seem to be at as high a risk from Lyme Disease,
some Vets don’t test for feline Lyme. During tick season (spring—fall) if your
dog loses his appetite, or displays lethargy and signs of Arthritis, such as
stiffness, or lameness, ask your vet to test for Lyme. (If your pet shows any of the above, anytime, check with
your vet).
Following are tips for protecting your dog:
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A vaccination is available which consists of two
applications followed by an annual booster.
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Tick Collars and topical Application: Front
Line or another brand will protect dogs from ticks (and fleas) for a month to
six weeks. (When applying any collar or treatment, be sure to read the
instructions and warnings carefully—products safe for dogs may not be for
puppies.)
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Check your pet daily, especially ears, neck
and ‘arm’ pits. Be sure you’ve removed the head and that the tick is dead.
They’re pesky little critters and not always easy to dispatch. Some people have
a problem with killing insects, but a pest is a pest and ticks can be a hazard.
Having a bowl with alcohol handy is one sure way to be sure they’re
dead.
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Keep your grass mowed and shrubs and trees
pruned. Ticks like to drop down onto their hosts from tree limbs, or, if on
ground level, to hitch a ride on available legs.
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Daily brushing will check for ticks and also
help to keep your dog de-matted.
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Like humans, infected dogs are treated with antibiotics and it
is important to give the full dosage and duration, even if your dog appears to
be fine.
Next month we’ll address Flea Allergy Dermatitis
and other allergies.
A good book, which addresses fleas and many
other topics, is Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide To
Natural Health for Dogs & Cats.
We want to congratulate Christine Cady and Richard
Otto. They were married on May 10. Christine grooms in both
Written by Rebecca Nilson-Owens