|
| |
Parasite Control
Fleas
We have now
entered a new era in the quest to keep our animals free of fleas. New products
have changed the way fleas are prevented from pestering our pets. The "old" way
to kill fleas was with the chemical insecticides; the "new" way involves
stopping the flea eggs from hatching or by preventing the flea's central nervous
system from working correctly. There are many choices and we can help you decide
which type of flea control will work best for you.
Fleas are tiny,
darkly colored pests which move about by walking and hopping. They suck the
blood of pets. They live, eat, and lay their eggs on your pet and in its
environment. The eggs fall off the pet into the environment: the pet's bed, the
garden, the carpet, etc.
Fleas are
frequently found congregating in the area on the back of the animal, just above
its tail. They are very difficult to see on most animals and almost impossible
to find on darkly colored animals.
Even if you do
not ever see fleas, you may be able to see evidence of their visit. If your pet
whirls around and bites at the area just above its tail, then fleas are almost
always present. Look for tiny dark specks which look like dirt. This is called
"flea dirt" and is the dried blood excrement of the fleas. If you bathe a dog or
cat and the water turns reddish in color, that is the "flea dirt" dissolving in
the water.
Some pets are
never bothered by the fleas, even if they always have fleas walking on them.
Other animals are so sensitive that the bites of one or two fleas will cause
them to itch, chew themselves raw, and/or get hives. This is called "allergic
dermatitis" or "flea allergy" and it is VITAL to control fleas on this type of
pet. Chronic skin irritation and itching will occur if fleas are not controlled.
FLEA FACTS
-
Worldwide, there are about 3,000 different types of
fleas, but the cat flea (Ctenocephalides
felis) is the most common to be found on
cats and dogs.
-
Adult fleas can jump 600 times an hour. Each jump, in
terms of the flea’s size, is the equivalent of a person clearing a 50-story
building.
-
The record jump for a flea is 13 inches.
-
In just 30 days, 25 adult female fleas can multiply
to 250,000 fleas.
Ticks
Animals such as dogs, cats, horses, (and
humans!) can contract tick associated diseases. Animals may carry ticks into
your home, and outdoor activities with your pet can increase your and your pet's
exposure to ticks.
The perfect feeding machine: Once
attached to a person or animal, a tick's barbed mouth, along with a special
glue, allows it to relentlessly hold on until it has finished feeding. Some of
the diseases associated with ticks include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted
Fever, Human Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, and Babesiosis, and other diseases.
The best course of action is prevention
by protecting you and your pet from ticks and their diseases.
The National
Center for Infectious Disease has a list of tick-borne diseases.
TICK FACTS
-
A female tick
can lay up to 3,000 eggs.
-
Except for
eggs, ticks need a blood meal to progress to each stage of their life cycle.
-
Some ticks can
live for more than a year without a meal.
-
In very rare
cases, toxins secreted by ticks can cause pet paralysis
The following is a general
summary of the currently most effective product types for protecting your pet
and your family from fleas and ticks:
PROGRAM :
Known as the "flea birth control pill," this medication is
given by mouth to the pet once a month. It contains a substance that
prevents the flea larva from hatching. The flea must bite the pet, then its
eggs will not hatch. There is no insecticide in this pill and the substance
is not metabolized by your pet. It is safe to use other flea - control
products, such as flea spray, when your pet takes Program. If all your pets
are treated, this product can help significantly reduce the flea population
in your immediate environment over time, usually several months.
Program is now also available in a 6 month injectible form, too.
ADVANTAGES: Easy
to use; non-toxic to pets and humans; controls environmental flea population
after prolonged use
DISADVANTAGES: Fleas
must bite animal to be affected; flea allergic animals will continue to
react to flea bites, does not kill adult fleas.
ADVANTAGE :
The liquid in the tubes is a product which affects the "nervous system" of
the flea, but not the nervous system of animals. Once a month the product is
squirted onto the skin of your pet. It will kill the fleas before they bite
your pet. The product lasts for about three to four weeks. It can lose some
of its effectiveness if the pet repeatedly gets wet, is bathed with
non-compatible, harsh detergent-type shampoos or frequently goes swimming.
ADVANTAGES:
Effective; easy to use; kills adult fleas; fleas do not have to bite animal
for product to work, nontoxic to pets and owners.
DISADVANTAGES:
Repeated water exposure can reduce its effectiveness and longevity.
TOP SPOT/Frontline
(Ingredient: Fipronil) This topically applied
product is effective against both fleas and ticks for up to one month per
application. It is a liquid applied to the skin over the upper back area.
The compound spreads over the pet and is absorbed into the superficial oil
glands, where it slowly "wicks" out over the following 4 weeks or so.
This product is somewhat resistant to water so it is more ideal for pets
that are frequently bathed or that swim a lot.
ADVANTAGES:
Effective; easy to use; kills adult fleas and ticks; nontoxic to pets and
owners when applied as directed.
DISADVANTAGES:
Slightly oily upon application; effective against ticks for 1 month, claims
effective against fleas for 3 months, though probably will require monthly
application in flea-rich climates.
FLEA SPRAYS :
(Ingredients: Pyrethrin or Permethrin) This
effective method works by spraying a mild insecticide on the pet's body in
the area where fleas may land. PYRETHRIN, a substance made from
chrysanthemums, and PERMETHRIN, a man-made equivalent with extended action,
are very toxic to fleas and essentially non-toxic to pets and humans. It can
be used on puppies and kittens of any age. Some sprays also contains PRECOR,
a flea hormone that prevents flea eggs from hatching and is non-toxic to
humans and pets. Sprays come in alcohol-based and water-based forms. DAILY
spraying kills the fleas before they bite your pet. Once the flea population
is reduced, spraying only a few times a week is effective to maintain
control.
ADVANTAGES:
Kills fleas on contact; fast to use; nontoxic; safe to use
on animals of all ages; relatively inexpensive to use.
DISADVANTAGES:
Some animals hate to be sprayed (try water-based flea spray); spray has a
definite odor; effects of spray are short-lived, must use it frequently to
maintain control of fleas
FLEA BATHS, FLEA DIPS, FLEA COLLARS
(Any brand): We do not recommend these
products because they are all generally effective for only a SHORT time or
NOT effective at all. An exception is the OVITROL brand flea collar. This
collar can be effective on CATS as it can control hatching of flea eggs,
when used in conjunction with ADVANTAGE
or TOP SPOT.
YARD & HOUSE TREATMENTS:
With the advent of the new flea control
products, the use of house and yard treatments may be less necessary.
However, treating the environment with products which kill fleas or prevent
flea larvae from hatching will lengthen and increase the effectiveness of
the newer products. Products are available in a range which includes the
following: Nematodes which eat flea larvae, finely pulverized forms of
borate powders which dehydrate and kill fleas, sprays which prevent flea
eggs from hatching, and poisons which kill fleas and other garden/house
pests.
|
