FLEAS - Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
Still dealing with fleas or maybe the first encounter with fleas? We can help.
Lets understand the flea. If one pet in your household has fleas you can bet all your pets have fleas. Dogs will scratch and chew when bitten by fleas and cats will lick (groom themselves) and chew. Therefore, an owner will most likely see fleas on the dog(s) and very little on the the cat(s) as the cat ingests the flea while grooming. A pair of fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day and over 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. So one adult flea can lead to tens of thousands of fleas. DISGUSTING! So, cats and dogs pick up newly hatched hungry adult fleas from an infested environment which is any area inhabited by other cats and dogs or wildlife, such as foxes, raccoons, squirrels, deer, and opossums.
How does an infestation happen? The adult flea lays the eggs on the host and the eggs then fall off and hatch into larvae (like a small worm) in about 1 days time. Then the larvae will crawl around feeding on pet and human dander and flea dirt as it moves away from the light into area such as; floor boards, bedding, furniture, carpeting, etc.
Then it happens! The pupae becomes an adult flea and sits and waits in the cocoon until it feels vibration, warmth or carbon dioxide. The flea then emerges from the cocoon and will jump onto the host for a nice meal of blood. GROTESQUE, ISN'T IT!
Pets may develop an allergic reaction to flea bits causing them to scratch excessively, create hot spots and develop and infection of the skin. If your pet shows evidence of fleas consult your veterinarian.
Here is where we can help you. By treating your pets with a veterinary approved product and taking some simple steps to treating your home you can break the flea cycle. Following the steps below will help you:
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Treat your pets with an approved flea control product and do not confine the pet, continue to let your pet roam about as normal.
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Regularly vacuum your house and wash your pet's bedding to physically remove some of the flea eggs, larvae and pupae;
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Treat your home with an aerosol flea spray. These are the best kinds of flea treatment as you will be able to spray under and around furniture, curtains, etc. FLEA BOMBS ONLY OMIT THE POISON UP AND IT FALLS DIRECTLY DOWN AND DOES NOT GET UNDER OR AROUND. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED BY OUR VETERINARIANS.
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Be patient. While your pet roams and acts as a flea vacuum cleaner.
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Have your pet(s) checked by your veterinarian for any skin problems during this time.
It can take up to 3 (three) months to clear out a flea infestation. The veterinarians and staff of Morris Veterinary Clinic are here to assist with all your needs and questions. There a numerous ways to help you battle this war against fleas and we at Morris Veterinary Clinic can help you.