Recently, we had a flea emergency in our house and it was one hot mess! We got back from our Florida vacation and our sweet baby dog came home with fleas. YUCK!! Maybe the problem was that we were just a few days overdue on the monthly Frontline application. I could not believe how quickly the problem escalated. As usual, we quick texted our favorite mobile vet, Dr. Alexis Sage and she’s here to share some quick facts and tips about fleas:
They are here-in your yard, on your pets, and in your house. So you might as well educate yourself about these tiny, pesky creatures. It is possible to get rid of them but you must be diligent.
An adult flea can bite your dog or cat more than 300 times a day.
The female flea can lay up to 40 eggs per day.
If your animal is infested, the eggs will roll off of it wherever it goes-like your rugs, bed, furniture, and yard, thus spreading the infestation.
Adult fleas can live more than 100 days. The other stages of the flea life cycle include pupae, larvae, and eggs. Pupae can live up to 74 days; larvae 5-11 days; eggs hatch in 1-10 days.
Fleas survive on the blood of their hosts, which include humans, dogs, cats, rabbits, squirrels ,rats, guinea pigs, ferrets, mice and chickens.
Fleas can jump 7 inches vertically and 13 inches horizontally.
To combat these little monsters, you need to treat all of your pets. Don’t forget the indoor/outdoor cat who wanders out of your flea-free yard into a flea infested area and brings the little buggers back to your house.
If you waited too long to start treatment and already have fleas on your pets, do not be discouraged. The first treatment will kill all of the adult fleas on your pet, but remember those other stages of the life cycle? The eggs in your house will hatch and the other immature stages will also become adults that you will still see. So, it will take approximately 3 months to completely break the life cycle.
Do not use dog flea products on cats. Do not use topicals on pets less than 8 weeks old. As with all medications, read directions carefully.
Good luck, stick with it, and you can beat these critters at their own game!
You can find Mobile Equine & Housecall Service at:
Website: www.horseandpetmobilevet.com
Cell: (704)231-8993
Mobile Equine & Housecall Services Include:
Small animal services :
Routine health care including physical examinations, vaccinations, heartworm and fecal testing, bloodwork, sale of prescription heartworm and flea products and in-home euthanasia.
Equine services include:
Physical exams, pre-purchase exams, lameness exams, dentistry, reproductive services, field surgeries.
The Mobile Equine & Housecall Service FRONTLINE TRITAK Smarty Steal:
You knew I couldn’t get away with not offering a CSP discount! Dr. Sage is offering 20% off a 6-month pack. Just mention CSP and you’ll get your discount. Load up, Smarties!
