Flea Control Programs
Pet owners know the hassle of having to deal with flea control. When spring comes around and the warm weather has your furry friend spending more time outdoors, he may start to bring in biting fleas. These fleas can jump onto you and your belongings. Veterinary hospitals and clinics deal with this common problem and can recommend or prescribe medications or ointments for pets to ease the itching and destroy the flea infestation. You can try to clean your pet from top to bottom and hope you killed all of the fleas in his fur, but your best chance of flea control is to follow your veterinarian’s suggestions.
Flea control is important for the comfort and health of both you and your pet. Fleas are more than just a nuisance. They are parasites that feed off of the blood of your pet and can easily jump from your pet to you.
When fleas are eradicated from your pet, they can leave eggs behind. The eggs hatch and you are left to battle a whole new batch of fleas.
Fleas lay eggs that are small and white. The rapid increase of fleas on your pet is caused by the hatching of these eggs. Fleas can’t reproduce until they have fed on the blood of an animal. Once fleas feed on your pet, they can quickly start to multiply and the problem can seem out of control.
Other than the hassle that they cause, fleas can cause an allergic reaction in your pet. This reaction is usually caused by substances in flea saliva. Fleas can transmit diseases to both pets and humans. Other parasites such as tape worms can develop from exposure to fleas.
Your veterinarian may recommend that you use a shampoo specifically made for flea control. Your shampoo can be used on your pet but it may not be as effective as shampoo made for flea control. Some ingredients in human shampoo can cause reactions to pets, especially cats. It’s best to consult with your veterinarian before you take action.
Ridding your home of fleas can be a time consuming process. Special carpet powders or shampoos to kill fleas and flea eggs may have to be used. All bedding and exposed clothing needs to be cleaned thoroughly to decrease the likelihood of spreading even more fleas.
Common over-the-counter ointments and sprays may be recommended by your veterinarian to get rid of the flea infestation. Your veterinarian can recommend specific products or to look for products containing active ingredients that are known to kill fleas. If over-the counter treatments fail, your veterinarian may prescribe a pet medicine to kill the fleas and to protect him in the future. Your veterinarian may also give you suggestions on how to stop the spread of fleas from one pet to the other and how to get rid of the ones that are already in your home.