Heat, Humidity, and the Flea Party of 2013-Dr. Don DeForge 17July2013

"Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. Let's do it, let's fall in love." Quote by - Cole Porter

Heat, Humidity, and the Flea Party of 2013-Finding the Answer to Coping with the Flea

Don DeForge,VMD  18July2013

It is summer time and that is FLEA TIME 2013!  Each year 1000's of pets become flea-laden and homes become flea infested.  The question posed to veterinarians is the same.....what is the answer doc?

To understand how to conquer your flea problem you must understand the life cycle of  the flea!

• Adult fleas spend most of their life on the animal but most of the fleas life cycle occurs off the pet~.
• This is why the pet and the environment both must be treated to remove your flea problem~
• Adult female fleas lay about 50 eggs per day on the pet....one female can lay approximately 2000 eggs~
• That one flea can multiply to 2000 fleas on your pet and in your home in 20-30 days~
• Flea eggs fall off your pet onto cushions, beds, carpeting, and hard wood floors~
• Eggs can hatch in 3-15 days but may not hatch up to a year~
• When hatched the eggs develop shortly later into larva~
• Larva feed on adult flea feces which is really dried blood that accumulates in the home where the pet plays and sleeps~
• The larva mature in 8-14 days~
• The larva become the resistant pupa stage for about a week before becoming adults~
• The TOTAL life cycle time is 20-35 days~
• In summary, one flea can have a life span of 6-12 months depending on environmental conditions~
• FLEAS LOVE HIGH HEAT AND HIGH HUMIDITY!
• In an ALLERGIC pet the bite of one flea can be serious and lead to an itch cycle that causes open sores, inflamed skin, and secondary infections.  Multiple bites can lead to a very serious skin condition~
• YOU DO NOT NEED an infestation of fleas to cause a severe flea allergy; many times fleas are hard to find on your pet; one or two fleas can cause a very serious flea allergy in your pet~
• Extensive skin damage occurs from the itching, licking, rubbing, and scratching cycle!
• Areas affected most often are the base of the tail; rump; back legs; front legs; belly; upper neck; around the ears; and face~
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TREAT A FLEA ALLERGY YOURSELF........ WITH OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS. CALL A VETERINARIAN AS SOON AS YOU NOTE THE EARLY SIGNS OF ITCHING! 
• ALLOW YOUR VETERINARY HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TO MAKE THE CORRECT DIAGNOSIS OF THE CAUSE OF THE DERMATITIS PRESENT AND TREAT IT APPROPRIATELY WITH PRESCRIPTION PRODUCTS! 

How do I stop the Flea Problem that plagues my life, my home, and my pet?---THE ANSWER!

To stop a flea problem, you must initiate an aggressive action that includes the environment and all pets in the home.  Call your veterinarian about the choices of prescription topical flea control products.  Do not use OTC copy-cat products which are expensive and ineffective.  Use the prescription topical flea control product on ALL pets in your home....not just on the pet on which you have noted fleas.  REMEMBER, fleas are hard to find and one pet can be a reservoir affecting all other pets and the home.  Frequent vacuuming of the rugs and hardwood floors is essential.  If you have a vacuum with a bag, the bag must be discarded each day after whole home vacuuming is completed.  Do not try to save money by saving the vacuum bag which is flea laden.  Vacuum each day or every other day for four weeks.  Vacuum carpets, fabrics, cracks in hard wood floors and especially all areas that are shady or dark.

Consult with a professional licensed exterminating company that uses products that your state's Department of Environmental Protection rate as safe for home usage.  This is an important step that is missed.  Do not use home "flea bombs" or "flea-foggers" which are completely ineffective in flea control.

Most importantly, see your veterinarian at the first sign of flea presence.  If your pet is itching please call your animal doctor right away for a complete dermatology examination.  If you are itchy call your family internal medicine doctor or a human dermatologist for an exam to discover the reason for your discomfort.  Let your doctor know what pets you own and if any of them are being treated for a flea problem.  

Cats with fleas can carry Bartonella Disease.  Go to National Veterinary Labs website and find out about Bartonella Disease in Pets and People.

BARTONELLA:

FELINE DISEASES 

AND 

EMERGING ZOONOSIS 

WILLIAM D. HARDY, JR., V.M.D. 

Director 

National Veterinary Laboratory, Inc. 

P.O Box 239 

Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417 

201-891-2992 

www.natvetlab.com or .net

Do not wait! Make that phone call to your local animal doctor today.  Stop your special friend from experiencing the discomfort and the suffering of flea allergy dermatitis.

Don DeForge, VMD

www.AnimalDocAMMultimedia.blogspot.com

Medical Director

Silver Sands Veterinary Center

www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com

A Compassionate Animal Hospital with Affordable Fees

17 Seemans Lane

Milford, CT. 06460

1-800-838-3368

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Dr. DeForge welcomes questions about his blogs: E-Mail: DonDeForge@aol.com or DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com with all of your thoughts and he will reply ASAP!