By Donald A. Ostwald, Jr., DVM, Diplomate ABVP Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists 3695 Kipling St. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 www.wheatridgeanimal.com
Summer is just around the corner and with it comes one of many dog owners' biggest hassles"”flea control! While fleas are most prevalent in warmer, more humid areas of the country, they can be found almost anywhere. Luckily, over the past couple of years there have been many new advances in this field that will make your and your dog's summer more enjoyable.
While it is rare for fleas to give your pet a serious disease, anyone who owns a dog that is allergic to fleas understands the misery these tiny pests can inflict. The condition known as flea allergy, dermatitis is the most common skin disease of dogs. For hypersensitive dogs, it only takes a few flea bites to send them into an incessant itching rage, often lasting for weeks. This scratching and chewing traumatizes the skin and results in severe hair loss and abrasions over many parts of the body. Infestations of fleas on a very young puppy or smaller dog can result in enough blood loss to cause anemia.
To control this widespread pest, you must first understand them. While it is the adult fleas that some dogs are allergic to, most of the flea's life cycle is spent off the animal and therefore, 99 percent of the flea population is in the environment, not on your dog. To control fleas effectively, you must treat both your pet and their environment, whether it be the yard, house or both.
New advances in flea control have made treatment methods much safer and more successful than they use to be. While most flea collars and shampoos may have some effect, they are usually not strong enough, nor do they last long enough, to provide really good control. Many of the newer products contain insect growth regulators that prevent flea eggs from hatching in the environment. They often last for a month or longer and when combined with products that kill adult fleas, both your pet and their environment can be flea free in no time. For areas of the country that also have to deal with heartworms, ticks and intestinal parasites, many of these products are effective in controlling these pests, as well.
While it is much easier and safer than it use to be, successful flea control can still be challenging and it is best to coordinate this with the rest of your dog's health maintenance plan. Talk with your veterinarian to find out which of these new products is best for your dog. Together, you can really make your dog's days of summer enjoyable!
