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Taking the bite out of FLEAS

A little message from your friends at Poland Animal Hospital

Fleas are truly devoted to their work. In one day, a single flea can bite your cat or dog more than 400 times. During that same day, the flea can consume more than its body weight of your pet's blood. And before it's through, a female flea can lay hundreds of eggs on your pet, ensuring that its work will be carried on by generations to come. In a single day, an adult flea can lay up to 50 eggs!

Flea bites may be merely a nuisance to some pets, but to others, they can be dangerous. They can cause flea allergy dermatitis—an allergic reaction to proteins in flea saliva. A pet's constant scratching to rid itself of fleas can cause permanent hair loss and other skin problems. A pet can get a tapeworm if it eats a flea that has one. And flea feasts on your pet's blood can lead to anemia and, in rare cases, death.

There are several factors to consider when choosing an appropriate flea control product.

Which flea control product was applied to your pet? There is a large selection of flea prevention products on the market. No one product is perfect for all dogs because each dog or cat – and its companion family – has a different lifestyle and needs. To help prevent reinfestation, choose a product that kills not only adult fleas but also flea eggs and larvae.

Where did you purchase this product? Not all flea medications are created equal. We purchase our products from companies that adhere to a strict policy that limits the distribution of their products to licensed veterinarians. Unauthorized sources of these products, including Internet, big box retail and warehouse club pharmacies do not purchase products from the manufacturers or any other authorized veterinary distributor.

If a product is purchased outside of the veterinary-client-patient relationship, the following may occur:

• The product may have been outside a documented chain of custody and we cannot ensure it has been handled according to label requirements

• A product acquired through unauthorized sources, with or without a prescription, will not qualify for any product guarantee reimbursements or be eligible for any consumer promotional offers (free doses or rebates)

• We cannot guarantee the product hasn’t been tampered with in some way

• The product may have been defaced and important information may be missing

• The product may be counterfeit

Was the correct species and weight category applied? It is important to use the appropriate size and strength product on your pet. If applying Frontline Plus, you want to use the entire tube. Splitting doses is not recommended, as you may inadvertently give your pet too little, or too much of the medication.

When did you last apply the flea control product to your pet? Poland Animal Hospital recommends year round flea prevention for all of the pets in your household. Avoiding initial infestation altogether by placing pets on life-long prevention programs is the best option for both you and your pets. True, flea control has its price. But once an infestation is established, the cost to get rid of it can be substantial.

When was pet’s first application of flea control this year? Adequate flea control begins with prevention. You want to be sure to treat your pet even when you are not seeing fleas. That way, if your pet picks up fleas from elsewhere, you can rest assured that he or she is protected from future infestations.

How was the flea control product applied to your pet? A topical product such as Frontline Plus or Revolution has to be applied directly to the pet’s skin. You want to be sure to place the applicator tip all the way through to the animal’s fur to the skin before applying. Comfortis tablets have to be given with a full meal. Be sure to read the instructions carefully. If you are not sure how to give one of our products, we will be happy to show you!

How often is your pet groomed? While Frontline Plus is waterproof, there are limits to this claim. There is a rumor floating around that Dawn dish soap will kill the fleas on your pet. The truth is, a bath with any shampoo will kill fleas. What you may not know is that Dawn dish soap will strip the oils in your pet’s skin. These oils are essential for the ingredients in Frontline Plus to work properly. Check your labels carefully. While Revolution is waterproof two hours after application, it is recommended you do not bath or shampoo your dog for at least 24-48 hours after you have applied Frontline Plus or Frontline Spray (when the area of application is completely dry).

Were fleas present on pet before the flea control product was applied? Adult fleas represent only 5% of the entire flea population, which also include eggs (50%), larvae (35%), and pupae (10%). By the time you see fleas, an infestation is most likely established in the environment. The first treatment will kill adult fleas, but new fleas will continue to emerge from existing eggs and larvae. It can take several months to clear an infestation due to new fleas emerging from other life stages.

Are all the pets in the household treated with flea control? Cats and dogs can share fleas. Even Indoor pets are at risk for fleas, as fleas can “hitchhike” on other pets, as well as our clothing!

Are there any exotic pets in household? Rabbits, ferrets, and some other furry pets also can have flea and tick infestations. While no flea or tick products are marketed specifically for use in these animals, we can develop a regiment to treat fleas and ticks in these and other exotic pets.

Is the pet primarily indoor or outdoor? Even indoor pets are fair game when it comes to fleas. You want to be sure and treat ALL the pets in the house, not just the ones that go outdoors.

What indoor locations does pet have access to? To control fleas, you must stop them from reproducing. Carpets, pet bedding, furniture, and other indoor areas where your cat or dog spends much time will contain the highest number of developing fleas. Frequent vacuuming of these areas (throw the vacuum cleaner bag away afterwards) and frequent washing of your pet’s bedding can greatly reduce the number of developing fleas inside your home. Flea larvae transition to pupae, which can survive for six months or more. There are no known products that can effectively kill the pupae stage.

What outdoor locations does pet have access to? Some clients don’t need to go farther than their welcome mats to greet unwanted visitors. Outside rugs, patio cushions, and shady areas beneath the house are great places for fleas (in developmental stages) to thrive and also attract their carriers— squirrels, raccoons, and even pets. It takes only one spring day’s catnap outside for a pet to pick up fleas from an outdoor rug or cushion.

When outdoors, where does pet go to for shade? Fleas develop in shady, protected outdoor areas. These outdoor spots can easily be identified as the places where your pet likes to rest and relax. Remember, if your pet does not feel comfortable spending time in a particular area, then neither will fleas. Cats, dogs and fleas typically like the same locations.

How much property does your pet have access to? A neighbor’s flea-infested cat need only scamper across the yard once to drop off a parasite package of eggs. These eggs develop into larvae and then pupae, which are poised to hatch into adult fleas at the first sign of movement or warmth. The adult fleas jump onto the pet and begin the life cycle all over again. These fleas can sometimes hitchhike a ride on a pet owner’s clothing or shoes, putting even totally indoor pets at risk.

Have you noticed any raccoons, opossums, feral cats, or neighborhood pets in your area? Neighbors’ pets and other animals can bring flea eggs into your yard. Flea eggs can fall off passing animals into the yard, mature to young adults and end up on you or your pets.

It is important to remember there is no instant fix for a flea infestation. By keeping all of your pets on a year round flea preventative that includes an insect growth regulator (IGR), you can prevent future infestations.

As always, please feel free to call us 207-998-2444 with any questions. We’re here to help!

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