Summertime is here! A fun and exciting time to go out, eat tasty food and reproduce. I
am not referring to you, but to infamous insects called fleas! For pets and their owners
the story is not so joyful. When fleas set up camp on your pets they can cause a lot of
.trouble
Fleas are tiny, dark colored insects that have been adapted to suck blood out of warm
blooded mammals. They are actually amazing creatures that can jump up to 150 times
.their size. The fleas’ reproductive cycle, unfortunately, is also quite astonishing
Female fleas are able to produce up to 50 eggs per day and it takes only three weeks
for them to become adults. Fleas live in dark and humid places therefore animals fur
.is the perfect home for them
There are a couple of ways to identify fleas in your pets. The most obvious sign is
excessive scratching. Fleas can also be identified by hair loss in specific spots, scabs
and hot spots. Once you see this in your pets, it is time for a deeper inspection. Fleas
usually hide in the darkest and most humid spots: the lower back, armpits, stomach
and back of the head. You can identify them either by physically seeing them
run/jump around or by the feces they leave behind, which look like peppe.
The best treatment for fleas is prevention. There are many products both natural and
medicated that can be used to prevent fleas from attacking your pets. At Central Vet
we recommend the use of a Seresto® collar that can protect your dogs for up to 8
months. If you don’t want your dog to use a collar constantly then there are ampoules
which are spread along your pet’s fur once a month. The most popular brands include:
.Revolution®, Advantage® and Frontline®
If your pet has unfortunately been attacked by fleas there are two things you must do
environmental and direct treatment. The environmental treatment is divided into three
steps which are to be done once every two weeks: 1) Vacuum the house especially the
areas in which your pet spends most of the time. 2) Wash your bed sheets at a high
.temperature. 3) Clean your floor with bleach
If your pet develops any concerning or uncommon signs due to the fleas then contact
your veterinary as soon as possible. Central Vet wishes you a very fun and flea free
summer!