Since this seems to be a big issue this year we thought *FLEAS* would be the perfect topic to start our first Blog about.
Do we all realize the problems that our pets really do suffer from these pesty ol' fleas? When we normally realize or say my dog has fleas. I know most of us dont really think about the detail that comes along with that. Lets face it, we all live busy lives. We all have jobs of our choice for a reason rite? We are all good at something. We all pay each other to do those specialty things that we know someone else is better at, and thats why we all just let certain things up to the ones in that profession to take care of or ask questions to or even educate us about. Let me just give a few examples of the problems that occur to our pets from fleas. Here are a few that will get your skin crawling. Let me remind you all that these are just some common issues that we as Pet Stylist see day to day.
Flea Dermatitis
This is probably the most common problem we as Pet Stylists
see with the pets that have fleas. It is actually a two-fold process I have
learned while researching. There are TWO REASONS fleas
aggravate our pets. First is the bite itself which is an unpleasant event. The
fleas actually live off the blood of their host and therefore bite them to feed.
The reason that flea bites ITCH however was surprising to me (for some reason).
the saliva of fleas is an allergen for many people and pets. Just like
mosquitoes. Imagine that! The saliva from the flea can remain on the pets skin
for up to two weeks continuing to bother the pet and causing intense scratching.
This scratching leads to hair loss, skin irritation and infection and a
generally MISERABLE pet. ONE FLEA is enough to make some pets react. So if we have a pet that comes into our salon that has fleas and we need to immediately treat them with a flea bath, then we need to do a soothing oatmeal or medicated bath afterwards to help the skin and releave some itching.
Hair Loss
While not a pretty thing to
see, the biggest concern of mine for pets losing their hair is that the skin is
then open to the environment. This includes other insects (mosquitoes) and
scratching. When the skin is open to the world, other things happen and then
infection can set in. The best way to avoid this problem is to prevent fleas in
the first place. We usually use a soothing oatmeal shampoo on these dogs to help
with itching and to prevent further damage to the skin that could be caused by
clipping.
Anemia and other illnesses
Because fleas feed off
the blood of their host, it is not uncommon for animals with SEVERE infestations
to have anemia. This is noted by a loss of color in the tongue and gums of the
pet. If left untreated, anemia can lead to the death of the pet. We often check
badly infested animals for color and if we notice a pale look about the gums or a
lethargic behavior on the part of the animal we will call the owner to come take
them to the vet IMMEDIATELY. IT is not uncommon for pets to require
hospitalization for flea related illnesses like anemia.
Fleas are often
found on mice and are also the carriers of such serious diseases as plague and
typhus. While these diseases are not common in the U.S. they DO occur in
underdeveloped countries and the risk is always there when mice and fleas are
hand on hand.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are probably considered to be
innocuous by the medical world in our family pets, but severe infestations of
tapeworms can lead to skin and coat issues as well as weight loss and intestinal
problems. Tapeworms are actually caused by the pet ingesting a flea in the
appropriate stage of life. Fleas are the host for tapeworm eggs. They then hatch
and develop in the dog or cats intestines where they are shed in segments that
look like rice. You can tell if a dog or cat has tapeworms by looking at their
stool. If you see flat segments of worms, then you have tapeworms. There is now
an over the counter version of the medicine that your vet will prescribe
available at many feed stores. Your vet can offer a pill or shot to eliminate
this problem in your pets. HOWEVER! Unless you eliminate the fleas, the
tapeworms will be back!
What are some of the topical or oral flea preventatives that you all use or could recommend that have worked for you?
Flea Dermatitis
This is probably the most common problem we as Pet Stylists
see with the pets that have fleas. It is actually a two-fold process I have
learned while researching. There are TWO REASONS fleas
aggravate our pets. First is the bite itself which is an unpleasant event. The
fleas actually live off the blood of their host and therefore bite them to feed.
The reason that flea bites ITCH however was surprising to me (for some reason).
the saliva of fleas is an allergen for many people and pets. Just like
mosquitoes. Imagine that! The saliva from the flea can remain on the pets skin
for up to two weeks continuing to bother the pet and causing intense scratching.
This scratching leads to hair loss, skin irritation and infection and a
generally MISERABLE pet. ONE FLEA is enough to make some pets react. So if we have a pet that comes into our salon that has fleas and we need to immediately treat them with a flea bath, then we need to do a soothing oatmeal or medicated bath afterwards to help the skin and releave some itching.
Hair Loss
While not a pretty thing to
see, the biggest concern of mine for pets losing their hair is that the skin is
then open to the environment. This includes other insects (mosquitoes) and
scratching. When the skin is open to the world, other things happen and then
infection can set in. The best way to avoid this problem is to prevent fleas in
the first place. We usually use a soothing oatmeal shampoo on these dogs to help
with itching and to prevent further damage to the skin that could be caused by
clipping.
Anemia and other illnesses
Because fleas feed off
the blood of their host, it is not uncommon for animals with SEVERE infestations
to have anemia. This is noted by a loss of color in the tongue and gums of the
pet. If left untreated, anemia can lead to the death of the pet. We often check
badly infested animals for color and if we notice a pale look about the gums or a
lethargic behavior on the part of the animal we will call the owner to come take
them to the vet IMMEDIATELY. IT is not uncommon for pets to require
hospitalization for flea related illnesses like anemia.
Fleas are often
found on mice and are also the carriers of such serious diseases as plague and
typhus. While these diseases are not common in the U.S. they DO occur in
underdeveloped countries and the risk is always there when mice and fleas are
hand on hand.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms are probably considered to be
innocuous by the medical world in our family pets, but severe infestations of
tapeworms can lead to skin and coat issues as well as weight loss and intestinal
problems. Tapeworms are actually caused by the pet ingesting a flea in the
appropriate stage of life. Fleas are the host for tapeworm eggs. They then hatch
and develop in the dog or cats intestines where they are shed in segments that
look like rice. You can tell if a dog or cat has tapeworms by looking at their
stool. If you see flat segments of worms, then you have tapeworms. There is now
an over the counter version of the medicine that your vet will prescribe
available at many feed stores. Your vet can offer a pill or shot to eliminate
this problem in your pets. HOWEVER! Unless you eliminate the fleas, the
tapeworms will be back!
What are some of the topical or oral flea preventatives that you all use or could recommend that have worked for you?