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The flea is a hardy insect with a lifespan of six to 12 months.
During that time, a pair of fleas could produce millions of
offspring. Fleas have survived millions of years in a variety of
environments. Some species can leap 15 to 36 inches high. That's
equivalent to a man jumping over the 555-foot Washington Monument.
All that may be admirable, but fleas on your pet or in your
household aren't. Fleas can cause reactions in your pet varying from
a mild skin irritation to a severe allergic reaction. Because fleas
feed on blood, an extreme infestation can cause anemia or even death
in animals. All cats and dogs, and other mammals, too, are
susceptible to flea infestations, except for some that live in high
elevations or in extremely dry environments.
Whether or not you actually see fleas on your pet, they may be
there. Scratching, scabs and dark specs, or "flea dirt," found on
the skin can all be signs that your pet has become the unwitting
host for a family of fleas. Fleas can carry tapeworms, too. If you
notice small white rice-like things in your pet's feces or in the
hair around his anus, your pet probably has tapeworms, which means
he may also have fleas. In extreme cases, an animal may be lethargic
and its lips and gums pale.
To battle flea infestation requires patience and perseverance, so
put on your armor and get to it! Because the life cycle of a flea is
three to four weeks, it will take at least that long to completely
rid your pet and its environment of the enemy. Different flea
control products work in different ways, have varying levels of
effectiveness and kill different flea stages (eggs, larvae and/or
adults). You'll need to use a combination of products at the same
time to be effective.
Dips, shampoos, powders and sprays will usually kill the adult
fleas on your pet. Using a flea comb regularly will help, too. But
more adults may be lurking in your home or yard, and eggs or larvae
may be lying in wait, as well. You'll need to rid your house of
fleas by vacuuming and washing your pet's bedding once a week, and
using a disinfectant on washable surfaces and an insecticide or
insect growth regulator in cracks and crevices (sometimes foggers
are recommended) every two to four weeks. When using chemical
products to control fleas, be very careful. You may be providing too
much of a potentially toxic chemical if you use, say, a flea dip and
a fogger with the same chemical ingredient. Always check with your
veterinarian before beginning your war on fleas. Even if you
purchase an over-the-counter product, it's wise to consult your
veterinarian for any safety concerns. To assist you with clearing
your home of fleas, you may want to consider hiring a professional
exterminator (in which case, your veterinarian may be able to
recommend one in your area).
If yours is an outside pet, you'll need to tackle the yard, too.
Sunlight kills fleas, so concentrate your efforts in the shady areas
of your yard especially. You can spray your yard with insecticide,
or you can battle fleas with their natural enemy, nematodes.
Nematodes are microscopic worms that kill flea larvae and cocoons.
Apply them to your yard once a month until the fleas are gone. Check
with your veterinarian or your pet supply or garden stores to find
out more.
Flea control has reached new levels in recent years. Today, there
are products on the market that you can treat your pet with once a
month that will help keep those annoying little jumpers away. Insect
growth regulators, or IGRs, are safe and act like flea hormones to
interrupt the life cycle of the flea, preventing them from maturing
into adult fleas. Lufenuron is one example of an IGR. It inhibits
flea egg production, but doesn't kill adult fleas, so flea bites can
still occur. Others, such as imidacloprid and fipronil kill adult
fleas, and the latter works on ticks as well. Depending on the
product used, you may be giving your pet a pill, spraying his coat
or applying a liquid substance to one area of his skin; the
substance will spread to cover his body. These treatments are
available only from your veterinarian and are given once a month.
Be very careful to use the products as directed; some may be
effective for dogs, but toxic to cats. Consult with your
veterinarian before implementing any flea control program. After
implementing any flea control watch your puppy real close, sometimes
they may have a allergic reaction to it. We have one male Chihuahua
that would go hypoglycemia that night after frontline was used.
Now that you're armored with some information, you can help your
pet win the war against fleas. |
