Animal Shelter
Welcome to the November 2005 issue of Pet Lovers Tips and Trends
 
When your pet starts to scratch fleas are always the first thing to suspect.   A good place to begin is your pet’s belly, the fur is generally a lighter color and it will be the easiest place to spot them.   If you see one flea, there are likely many more hiding and laying eggs in your furniture, carpet and pet.


Fleas ticks and mosquitoes are known carriers several diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and West Nile virus.   Your pet could also suffer from flea allergies if not protected.


3 Things you can do to help prevent fleas.

1       Vaccum your home weekly.   Remember to use the attachments in hard to reach places such as in between couch cushions, and under any other furniture you may have in your home.   When you are finished seal the bag and place it in a trashcan outside.


2       Toss your pet's bedding in the washer weekly using hot water.  Include your pet's favorite rugs and towels. This will keep them smelling fresh, and should kill any flea eggs.


        
3        Run a flea comb through your pet at least twice a week. After each stroke, dip the comb in a bowl of hot soapy water. Fleas can't swim.
 


Bathe your pet with a medicated flea shampoo.

Bathing your pet with a medicated flea shampoo will send many fleas right down the drain. Be aware that many products, which are safe for dogs may, be dangerous for cats, so be sure to read the label carefully. If your pet doesn't cooperate, or you feel you may need some professional help you can always take him to the groomer for a bath.


Bomb your house

Bomb your house with a product containing a flea-larvae growth regulator such as Precor, following the directions on the label.    Remember to plan a fun activity, this can take a couple of hours and it is not safe for your family or your pets to remain in the house.


Talk to your vet

Talk to your vet about long lasting flea control medications. Advantage and Frontline, are applied to your pet's skin and will kill adult fleas for a month or more, the application takes less than a minute and is time well spent.

Conclusion

In the short run, the only way to stop your pet's scratching is to halt the itching. A lukewarm bath can be very soothing, especially if you use an oatmeal shampoo or add a little colloidal oatmeal (like Aveeno) to the water.


If you have a topic or questions we can answer in our upcomming newsletters please send them to editor@animalshelter.org

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Thanks
The Editor
Pet Lovers Tips and Trends
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