Dr. Joel Conn’s segment “Pet Tips” aired Monday on 95.3 The Beach! The topic was “Fleas.” Tune in every Friday morning at 10:40am to hear more Pet Tips!
This week on Pet Tips We’re going to talk about Fleas
First, let’s discuss a few common flea myths:
- Myth: My dog doesn’t have fleas!
- Fact: All animals that go outside are exposed to fleas. Keep in mind that only 5% of the flea population lives on the animal. For every flea you see, there are hundreds that you don’t!
- Myth: I’m getting flea bites from my dog’s fleas
- Fact: Fleas will rarely choose a human over a dog. The fleas biting you have most likely just hatched from the ground (your carpet)!
- Myth: Flea control is highly toxic
- Fact: This is true of some of the older generation products. The products that we use today are very safe and have been extensively tested. In some cases, these products are used in human organic farming!
- Myth: Garlic will get rid of fleas
- Fact: While garlic does have some mild flea repellent properties, it is actually toxic to dogs and cats and not recommended.
- Myth: My indoor only cat cannot get fleas
- Fact: Many cats that are exclusively indoors will still be exposed to fleas and may need periodic treatment.
The bottom line is that fleas are extremely common on the Central Coast with our moderate climate and they can pose a big risk to humans as well as pets, leading to the spread of parasites such as tapeworms and infectious disease such as Cat Scratch Fever – a growing concern especially in seniors.
The good news is that there is a large number and variety of inexpensive and very safe products available to eliminate fleas from your pets! They are all applied monthly and are available in topical or oral forms. Some products, such as Vectra 3D, also kill ticks and help to repel mosquitoes. Others, such as the oral medication Trifexis, prevent heartworm disease and several intestinal parasites. Oral medications are a great choice if your dog swims or is bathed frequently
Its best to avoid older generation products, such as flea collars, baths, and dips because these can be highly toxic, especially in cats, and fleas are often resistant.
This is Dr. Joel Conn from Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic. I’ll be back next week with more pet tips. For more information, check us out on facebook, visit us online at pismobeachvet.com or come see us at 990 Price Street, Pismo Beach. We are open 7 days a week