Fleas and Flea Control

Fleas are the most common ectoparasite affecting our pets. They pose a health risk to us too, having been implicated in the transmission of worms, Plague and other diseases.

Under ideal conditions fleas complete their lifecycle in about 3 weeks. A single pair of fleas can give rise to 2 trillion fleas within a year! Do you want these critters in your home? The flea lifecycle takes about 3 weeks to be complete under ideal conditions. Remember that flea eggs can lie dormant for months before hatching. Adult fleas must ingest a blood meal in order to develop and reproduce. Therefore it is essential to protect your pets at all times.

Total eradication of fleas is impossible and therefore our aim should be to decrease their numbers and control the population. There are excellent products on the market, which offer residual protection against the fleas. This means that they will effectively kill fleas over an extended period, sometimes as long as 2 months. Call us for free impartial advice. Flea control should be yearlong and not just in the warm summer months when the flea problem is at a peak. We will advise on whether you need to also treat your home or just the pets. We will help you choose the best product for your situation and also show you how to use it properly.

Many dogs are highly allergic to proteins in flea saliva. If bitten by one flea once a month, these poor dogs scratch incessantly causing a characteristic raw area near the base of the tail. These patients need professional help. Remember that we are trained to help you solve the total problem. Fleas act as intermediate hosts for the common tapeworm. Children commonly pick up tapeworms by swallowing an infested flea.

Contact us for the best advice!

You can also find flea control products at our pet supplies store.

Deworming

Worms are commonly transmitted from animals to humans. These infestations can be fatal. It is essential that all pets be dewormed on a regular basis using an effective broad-spectrum deworming agent. Always combine an effective deworming program with a flea control program. Children can pick up tapeworm by swallowing a flea infected with tapeworm larvae (fleas are intermediate hosts for the common tapeworm).

Puppies and kittens

Pregnant bitches should be dewormed 2 weeks prior to whelping. This, in effect, deworms the pups before they are born. Worms can be transmitted to pups while they are in the uterus. All pups and kittens should be dewormed every 2 weeks from birth until they are 3 months old.

Adult dogs and cats

Deworm every 3 months throughout the life of your pet. Be sure to use a dewormer effective against all worms, including hydatids.