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From the moment you realize your pet is "the one," to the last tearful goodbye, your veterinarian helps you provide your pet with a lifetime of love.
POLICY UPDATE: As of April 1st, 2018 our clinic is requiring a rabies vaccine for our feline patients over the age of 14 weeks. If the feline patient is sick, it will be at the doctor's discretion if this vaccine is given during your visit. Please call our clinic if you have any questions.
Fleas:
The Facts and Myths
Where do they come from? How can they infest your house? How can they live on your pet?
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Flea Life Cycle:
The flea life cycle is completed within 2 to 8 weeks depending on the environment.
Adult fleas stay with the host and the eggs (small but semitransparent) drop off the host and into the environment. These eggs hatch in 1 to 6 days and the larvae move around feeding on environmental debris and adult flea feces.
This larval stage lasts 2 to 4 weeks largely depending on the environment and the climate.
Mature larvae produce a cocoon and pupate into an adult flea. Adult fleas normally emerge from these cocoons in 1 to 2 weeks depending on a few keys factors.
Heat, carbon dioxide, and vibrations can cause a pupae to hatch into an adult flea. They can lay dormant in an environment up to 210 days! Imagine having a summer cabin and sealing it up late fall. Those cocoons could hatch upon your arrival again in the spring, not only because of your pet has returned, but also because of your breathing!
The flea life cycle is completed within 2 to 8 weeks depending on the environment.
Adult fleas stay with the host and the eggs (small but semitransparent) drop off the host and into the environment. These eggs hatch in 1 to 6 days and the larvae move around feeding on environmental debris and adult flea feces.
This larval stage lasts 2 to 4 weeks largely depending on the environment and the climate.
Mature larvae produce a cocoon and pupate into an adult flea. Adult fleas normally emerge from these cocoons in 1 to 2 weeks depending on a few keys factors.
Heat, carbon dioxide, and vibrations can cause a pupae to hatch into an adult flea. They can lay dormant in an environment up to 210 days! Imagine having a summer cabin and sealing it up late fall. Those cocoons could hatch upon your arrival again in the spring, not only because of your pet has returned, but also because of your breathing!
Health Concerns for our Pets
Fleas can cause more symptoms than just itching. Some pets are hypertensive to fleas, and can have a dermatologic condition called flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) often presenting as hair loss around the hips and tail. This condition occurs if the dog or cat is sensitive to the saliva antigens in the flea when the flea takes a blood meal. FAD "accounts for about 50 percent of all canine and feline dermatological cases reported to veterinarians." (Dr . Carlo Vitale, pg.1 ) Pets with this sensitivity can be affected by just a few fleas. FAD can cause our pets to constantly lick, scratch or even bite at their own skin.
Fleas are also the intermediate host for tapeworms! Flea larvae eat tapeworm eggs and when your cat or dog ingest the flea, tapeworms develop in your pet. Tapeworms then attach in the small intestine and the life cycle begins. It takes just three weeks from the time the flea is ingested to the time the tapeworm segments may show in your pet's anal sphincter or in the stool.
Cat scratch fever is a familiar song for most by Ted Nugent, but, in the veterinarian world, we know it as Bartonellosis. Bartonellosis can transmit to other cats and humans via scratches. Cats typically present with fever, lethargy and inflammation in their lymph nodes, while humans may exhibit low-grade fever, general discomfort and swelling in regional areas.
Fleas are also the intermediate host for tapeworms! Flea larvae eat tapeworm eggs and when your cat or dog ingest the flea, tapeworms develop in your pet. Tapeworms then attach in the small intestine and the life cycle begins. It takes just three weeks from the time the flea is ingested to the time the tapeworm segments may show in your pet's anal sphincter or in the stool.
Cat scratch fever is a familiar song for most by Ted Nugent, but, in the veterinarian world, we know it as Bartonellosis. Bartonellosis can transmit to other cats and humans via scratches. Cats typically present with fever, lethargy and inflammation in their lymph nodes, while humans may exhibit low-grade fever, general discomfort and swelling in regional areas.
DYK? There are an estimated 2,500 species of fleas in the world, approximately 325 of which occur in the continental U.S.
Preventatives for our Pets
While fleas can seem to be a chore to get rid of, our clinic does carry preventatives that can help to rid your pets and house from these pests. Keep in mind that it takes up to 3 months consecutively to kill all stages of life, and we recommend keeping your pet on flea preventatives 12 months out of the year.
For cats our clinic carries two different products: Catego and Revolution.
Catego is a topical (applied on the skin every 30 days) that kills and prevents fleas and ticks. Catego kills fleas within 6 hours and on the day of application has 97% efficacy within 3 hours. It protects against multiple stages of flea life cycle, and prevents flea re-infestation. Catego also kills all stages of ticks through contact, including the brown dog tick, american dog tick, lone star tick, and deer tick.
Revolution is also a topical (applied on the skin every 30 days) that kills fleas, ear mites, prevents heartworm disease, hookworms, and roundworms . Revolution kills adult fleas for a full month—and prevents flea eggs from hatching. Revolution does not require separation time from other pets or other family members after application. Revolution killed ≥90% of adult fleas within 24 hours and >99% within 48 hours. At 30 days after treatment, REVOLUTION showed better residual activity against adult fleas than did Advantage® or Frontline® Plus. 2 Revolution is a prescription and your cat must be seen before going home with this product.
For dogs our clinic carries two different products: Vectra 3-D and Bravecto.
Bravecto is an oral medication given every 12 weeks to protect your dog against flea and ticks. After treating, Bravecto Chew starts killing fleas within 2 hours and kills >98% of fleas within 12 hours for 12 weeks. Bravecto kills 100% of ticks on dogs within 12 hours and has no known resistance. Bravecto kills fleas, prevents flea infestations, and kills ticks (black-legged tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick) for 12 weeks. It also kills lone star ticks for 8 weeks. Bravecto is a prescription and your dog must be seen before going home with this product.
Vectra 3-D is a topical (applied on the skin every 30 days) that kills fleas, ticks, biting flies, mosquitoes, sand flies, lice and mites* (excluding mange mites). Vectra 3-D kills through contact, it begins reducing fleas in just 5 minutes, killing adult fleas, and prevents the development of all immature stages of fleas; eggs, larvae, and pupae. Vectra 3-D remains effective even with swimming and bathing (shampoo must be soap-free) and protects for 1 month. Vectra 3-D can be purchased over the counter as long as your dog is healthy, doing well and not pregnant or lactating.
We also do carry two other products to use, one is Frontline Spray and the other is Knock Out E.S
Frontline Spray provides effective flea and tick control for dogs and puppies as young as a day old. The spray formulation ensures that fipronil, the active ingredient, is immediately distributed over your dog's body, killing fleas shortly after application. Control is long lasting , and can also be used with complete peace of mind on pregnant and lactating bitches.
Knock Out E.S kills active flea infestations and ticks. It also prevents flea infestations from developing, and prevents re-infestation of fleas for 7 months. A 16 oz can will treat an area of up to 2100 square foot.
For cats our clinic carries two different products: Catego and Revolution.
Catego is a topical (applied on the skin every 30 days) that kills and prevents fleas and ticks. Catego kills fleas within 6 hours and on the day of application has 97% efficacy within 3 hours. It protects against multiple stages of flea life cycle, and prevents flea re-infestation. Catego also kills all stages of ticks through contact, including the brown dog tick, american dog tick, lone star tick, and deer tick.
Revolution is also a topical (applied on the skin every 30 days) that kills fleas, ear mites, prevents heartworm disease, hookworms, and roundworms . Revolution kills adult fleas for a full month—and prevents flea eggs from hatching. Revolution does not require separation time from other pets or other family members after application. Revolution killed ≥90% of adult fleas within 24 hours and >99% within 48 hours. At 30 days after treatment, REVOLUTION showed better residual activity against adult fleas than did Advantage® or Frontline® Plus. 2 Revolution is a prescription and your cat must be seen before going home with this product.
For dogs our clinic carries two different products: Vectra 3-D and Bravecto.
Bravecto is an oral medication given every 12 weeks to protect your dog against flea and ticks. After treating, Bravecto Chew starts killing fleas within 2 hours and kills >98% of fleas within 12 hours for 12 weeks. Bravecto kills 100% of ticks on dogs within 12 hours and has no known resistance. Bravecto kills fleas, prevents flea infestations, and kills ticks (black-legged tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick) for 12 weeks. It also kills lone star ticks for 8 weeks. Bravecto is a prescription and your dog must be seen before going home with this product.
Vectra 3-D is a topical (applied on the skin every 30 days) that kills fleas, ticks, biting flies, mosquitoes, sand flies, lice and mites* (excluding mange mites). Vectra 3-D kills through contact, it begins reducing fleas in just 5 minutes, killing adult fleas, and prevents the development of all immature stages of fleas; eggs, larvae, and pupae. Vectra 3-D remains effective even with swimming and bathing (shampoo must be soap-free) and protects for 1 month. Vectra 3-D can be purchased over the counter as long as your dog is healthy, doing well and not pregnant or lactating.
We also do carry two other products to use, one is Frontline Spray and the other is Knock Out E.S
Frontline Spray provides effective flea and tick control for dogs and puppies as young as a day old. The spray formulation ensures that fipronil, the active ingredient, is immediately distributed over your dog's body, killing fleas shortly after application. Control is long lasting , and can also be used with complete peace of mind on pregnant and lactating bitches.
Knock Out E.S kills active flea infestations and ticks. It also prevents flea infestations from developing, and prevents re-infestation of fleas for 7 months. A 16 oz can will treat an area of up to 2100 square foot.
A female Flea can lay between 40 and 50 eggs per a day!
Flea Myths
Myth 1: I've never seen a flea on my pet, so they do not need flea control.
Fact: Just because you do not see fleas, does not mean they are not there. Dr. Sam can use a special comb to detect fleas and their waste (Flea dirt). Even if your pet is clean, they can pick up fleas at any time, so its a good idea to keep them on a preventative.
Fact: Just because you do not see fleas, does not mean they are not there. Dr. Sam can use a special comb to detect fleas and their waste (Flea dirt). Even if your pet is clean, they can pick up fleas at any time, so its a good idea to keep them on a preventative.
Myth 2: My Pet stays in the back yard so, he/she will not pick up fleas.
Fact: Your yard can be constantly visited by animals like raccoons, opossums, and even the occasional stray cat. These animals can spread fleas and flea eggs, which can infest your pet when they go outside.
Fact: Your yard can be constantly visited by animals like raccoons, opossums, and even the occasional stray cat. These animals can spread fleas and flea eggs, which can infest your pet when they go outside.
Myth 3: I can get good flea product at the pet store.
Fact: Over-the-Counter flea control products are not as potent and therefore not as effective as the prescription products you can get from your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter products can even be toxic, especially if administered incorrectly. Your pet's veterinary can prescribe the best product for your pet and your pet's lifestyle.
Fact: Over-the-Counter flea control products are not as potent and therefore not as effective as the prescription products you can get from your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter products can even be toxic, especially if administered incorrectly. Your pet's veterinary can prescribe the best product for your pet and your pet's lifestyle.
Quick action can save lives. If you believe your pet has been poisoned or eaten something it shouldn’t have, call your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic immediately. You may also want to call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 1-888-426-4435. Signs of pet distress include: sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. Or try Pet Poison Helpline 1-855-764-7661, on call for 24 hours, 7 days of the week.
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