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What
can we do about
fleas on pets?
Questions and
answers about cats
and dogs and fleas
To get rid of fleas
on pets you first
must find out where
the fleas are coming
from! Kill the
fleas, eggs and
larvae at their
source, or make sure
your dog avoids the
flea infested area,
and you have taken
the first step in
flea eradication.
Next, your
veterinarian has
topical and oral
medications that are
very safe and
effective in killing
fleas after they
get on the dog or
cat so they
cannot breed and
create more fleas.
Last, consult with a
professional
exterminator to
eradicate the fleas,
eggs and larvae from
your household. |
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Question:
Our dog seems to
always bite at
his tail and
tries to lick
and chew right
where his tail
meets his body.
He has little
scabs and has
shed his fur
over his rump
and it won't
grow back.
We are
treating for
fleas and only
see a flea once
in a while so it
can't be from
fleas. What is
going on with
him? |
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Answer:
fleas...
what to do...
how to eradicate
Fleas are
about the size
of a comma on a
typed page.
They are brown
or copper
colored and
scoot quickly
across the
skin. They have
no wings so do
not fly but they
sure can jump!
Fleas need to be
combated on
several
fronts... where
they live, where
they breed, and
where they feed
on
their dog and
cat victims.
Some dogs
have FAD...
Flea Allergy
Dermatitis,
an extreme
allergic
reaction to flea
saliva that
triggers severe
itching from the
bite of even a
single flea! If
you see an
"occasional"
flea think of
all the fleas
you aren't
seeing because
these little
critters can be
very elusive.
And even one
flea can set off
an allergic
reaction
especially in
the rear half of
the dog's body |
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More
flea control information is coming
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Fleas on a kitten |
A flea on a dog |
Severe flea allergy
dermatitis (FAD) |
Flea "dirt" (feces) on a cat |
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Question:
My dog
seems to have patches of
hair missing and even looks
like small round areas of
fur have only a few hairs.
She isn't real itchy
and shampooing isn't
working. She's about 6
months old and was like this
when we got her. Is this
mange? |
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Answer:
mange... what is...
demodex
You seem to
be describing a case of
Demodex mites. See the
microscopic view below.
"Mange" isn't very specific
for what kind of mite is
causing the skin condition.
"Mange" mites called demodex
can be contracted from the
pup's mother even though she
may show no signs of demodex
(called an asymptomatic
carrier). Direct contact
with another mite infested
dog is possible, too.
Demodex, unlike sarcoptic mites, called scabies,
usually does not cause
itchiness or inflammation of
the skin. Most cases of
demodex are diagnosed by a
skin scraping and
microscopic evaluation.
There are various
therapies. The doctor may
do a skin fungal culture,
too, to rule out
"ringworm"... which is a
confusing term because
"ringworm" is caused by a
fungus. |
Always read and follow the
product label instructions!
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Doctor's Notes:
Read the
instructions!
The major
reason topical
flea/tick
preventative
seems to fail is
due to the
owners bathing
the pet just
prior to
applying the
product.
Many
products work
from within the
skin's oil
layer; if you
wash the oils
off, then apply
the medication,
it will not
work!
Most topical
products are not
repellants, they
kill fleas and
ticks on contact
with skin oils
that contain the
medication.
Links to parasite
information...
Dog Parasites
Cat Parasites
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