| Special Issue: Fleas |
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Fleas are a never-ending problem. While they exist all year long in temperate climates, they tend to be more active in the spring and summer.
There is no single flea prevention or treatment regimen that is 100 percent effective in controlling fleas. That's because fleas adapt well to any environment and reproduce almost continuously. One adult female flea can lay as many as 25 eggs daily and up to 800 eggs before she dies.
If left unchecked, fleas can cause serious problems for dogs and their owners. They can quickly infest your dog's sleeping area and your home, especially carpeting. In addition to basic itching, fleas cause dermatitis, a skin condition that can become infected if not treated. Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva, which makes the dermatitis even worse. Fleas can also carry and transmit disease and other organisms, such as tapeworms.
The secret to flea control, if there is one, is being vigilant and proactive. Dog owners can save themselves a lot of trouble if they follow a monthly flea prevention program. In our climate, it is best to maintain this program throughout the year, but treatment is especially important as the weather gets warmer.
You should consult with your veterinarian to determine an effective flea prevention treatment for your dog. The most common commercially available topical preventatives for use on a monthly basis are:
Advantage/Advantage Plus
Frontline/Frontline Plus
K9 Advantix/K9 Advantix Plus
Revolution
Regardless of the product you choose, it is important to apply it every month, following the directions on the package. These products are widely available through vets, pet stores, and online via Amazon.com and online pet medicine stores.
Also available are monthly flea control pills that are given orally. The most common commercially available oral treatments for monthly use are:
Comfortis
Program
Sentinel
Check with your veterinarian about whether a topical or oral flea control treatment is advisable. Be aware that all flea control products contain chemicals that may have varying effects on animals.
How to Spot Fleas
Fleas are about the size of a pinhead so they are difficult to see. A flea comb, available at most pet stores, will make it easier to detect fleas. The comb's teeth are very close together so you will usually see one or more fleas during a combing if fleas are present. Another tell-tale sign to look for is "flea dirt" -- tiny specks (actually flea feces) that look like pepper.
How Bandanas Can Help You
If you suspect your dog has fleas, please contact me as soon as possible. It is advisable not to have me groom your dog until the flea problem is controlled. If your dog has fleas and I don't know about it, my other clients' dogs can be exposed to fleas. Obviously no one benefits from this situation.
If you have a groom scheduled and your dog has fleas, I can provide you with an immediate solution called Capstar. Before your dog's scheduled grooming, I will administer a Capstar tablet by mouth. The cost for this service is $15. Capstar typically kills all adult fleas within 30 to 60 minutes. It is safe and effective and used by veterinarians to treat flea infestations. However, please understand that this is a one-time treatment and does not replace the need for monthly anti-flea maintenance.
Please note: If you use monthly topical flea preventative products like the ones mentioned above, you should wait 48 hours before having me groom your dog.
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