Flea control and Heartworm Disease
Flea control for both dogs and cats
One application of any product will not solve your flea problem. The monthly insecticides do a great job of killing adult fleas on your pet within 24 hours. When you see more fleas, it is not a product failure. The fleas you see during the month come from newly hatched ones from your house and yard. The flea life cycle is securely anchored in your environment. And other’s pets and wildlife will always be a source for new infestations. Fleas can even ride into your house on your clothes to jump onto your indoor-only cat. Fleas do not jump from pet to pet. The eggs fall from an animal into the environment, where they change from larvae to pupae to adults, and then jump on your pet. The adult flea stays on its host until it dies.
One dose of product will not solve your flea problem. The fleas that you see today came from infestations that began weeks ago. The eggs, larvae, and pupae were already in place. In 2-8 weeks from now there will be more adults hatched and those will need to be killed as well. As long as the pet is exposed to an environment with new sources for fleas (even wildlife), he will continue to get fleas and need to be treated. It takes 6-8 weeks to get good control of the flea cycle, and 3 months of regular monthly treatment to get close to 100% control. In the fall, with optimal environmental conditions for fleas, you may battle emerging fleas for longer periods of time. Your flea problem could even seem worse for 3-4 weeks after starting treatment, as fleas you see today came from eggs laid 6-8 weeks ago. If environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, amount of sunlight) continue to improve after the application of product, you could have a massive emergence that must be addressed.
Keep in mind the flea biology facts. A female flea begins feeding on its host within minutes and lays 40-50 eggs per day. The eggs hatch into larvae, then Pupae, then adults in as little as 14 or as many as 180 days, depending on conditions. Shady, protected areas are ideal. Direct sunlight and temperature over 95 are lethal to fleas. In Indiana, autumn is the most ideal time for flea development, as temperatures are down a bit and humidity increases.
To more quickly gain control of your flea problem, treat your environment as well as the pet. Diazinon can be sprayed to your yard on a weekly basis, as it is only effective on the adults. This doesn’t rid the yard of fleas, but it knocks down the population as they emerge from Pupae. Concentrate your spraying to areas where the pet spends most of its time – it is more important to treat under bushes than in the middle of a sunny yard. This is not harmful to your animals. Wash your pet’s bedding and throw rugs, and vacuum frequently to get rid of eggs, larvae and pupae.
Finally don’t forget the simple fact that all pets in the household must be treated. Don’t just dose your dog because he goes outside. Your indoor car will constantly be a source of more fleas. And apply the product to the pet’s skin, not his hair.
Heartworm Disease
What is Heartworm Disease?
Canine heartworm disease is a potentially fatal disease affecting dogs in all 50 states. The disease is caused by the parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis and is transmitted by mosquitoes. Your dog is infected when it is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae known as microfilaria. The developing larvae eventually enter the bloodstream and migrate to the dog’s heart. Adult heartworms begin producing their own microfilaria offspring about six months after infection. ALL dogs are at risk. Mosquitoes do come into the house so indoor dogs are just as much at risk as outdoor dogs.
What are signs of Heartworm Disease?
Clinical signs of heartworm disease include coughing, labored breathing, exercise intolerance, fainting and abnormal swelling. If you see these signs in your pet, see your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will conduct a blood test and, if heartworms are present, discuss treatemant.
Products to treat Fleas and Heartworm
Frontline:
Frontline Plus is fast-acting, long-lasting, waterproof and gentle. Frontline Plus kills up to 100% of ticks within 24 to 48 hours of application. It kills all life stages of ticks. Frontline Plus not only kills adult fleas, but also breaks the flea cycle by preventing the development of their eggs and larvae. Frontline provides the most complete flea control available due to the two effective ingredients that kills the adult fleas along with eggs and larvae.
INTERCEPTOR® Flavor Tabs® for dogs
Prevents deadly heartworm disease, while protecting your dog against roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) and whipworms (Trichuris Vulpis). It must be administered every 30 days.Worms can cause your pet pain and discomfort, and sometimes, even death. Luckily, it is simple to protect your pet from internal parasites with INTERCEPTOR® (milbemycin oxime) Flavor Tabs®
REVOLUTION:
Revolution is a topical medication used in the treatment and prevention of heartworm disease, fleas, and ear mites. It also treats certain hookworm and roundworm disease.
CAPSTAR:
Capstar tablets kill adult fleas and are indicated for the treatment of flea infestations on dogs, puppies, cats and kittens four weeks of age and older and 3 pounds of body weight or greater. A single dose of Capstar should kill the adult fleas on your pet. If your pet gets re-infested with fleas, you can safely give another dose as often as once per day.