 |
|
   |
|
        |
|
A healthy animal has very few fleas, and those that are on the skin will not cause skin eruptions, redness, hair loss and severe itching. This develops with an impaired immune system and one that has been sensitized with multiple flea exposure. So it is obvious that prevention is a lot better than the cure. But in the interim before getting your pet back to good health, what do you do about the fleas, especially if the fleas are also biting you? Adult fleas are parasites that derive their nourishment from the blood of mammals and birds. Fleas prefer locations where dust and organic debris accumulate. They are commonly found in houses, under buildings, in yards and on pets. A treatment that is effective for controlling the flea must do so at all four stages of the flea's life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The reproductive process of a flea begins after the female flea ingests a blood meal. After mating, she will lay a few eggs daily until several hundred have been deposited. These generally fall from the hosts hair coat and hatch in the ground, carpet, upholstery or cracks in the floor. The eggs hatch from two days to several weeks, into larvae. This stage lasts from 9 days to several months. The larva spins a cocoon and pupates from 7-14 days then emerges as an adult that promptly hops on your pet if near by. Control must be aimed at three zones: the pet, house and yard. If no visible signs of fleas on your pet is apparent, part the fur down to the skin and search for flea "dirt" which appear as tiny black grains. Scratch the animal at the base of the tail and feel for gritty particles; or place the pet in a damp bathtub and ruffle the coat. If little red or pink drops are apparent on the surface of the water, this is evidence of a flea problem. These red drops are "flea dirt"; (flea dirt is the bowel movements of the flea and are processed red blood cells from your pet), the test is positive for fleas. Some of the non-toxic methods I recommend for flea control are: TO KILL FLEAS 1. Natural insecticides Pyrethrum extracted from the Chrysanthemum flower are available in the form of pet sprays, dips, room foggers and yard sprays, as well as in pet shampoos. All three zones must be treated together, initially. Then maintenance can be attained by spot pet spray as needed. Do not use products that have combinations with organo-phosphate pesticide chemicals such as Carbaryl, Lindane or Malathion etc., nor IN A PETROLEUM based medium, but one that is in alcohol. These are toxic! 2. Diatomaceous earth specially formulated for pet use and found in the plant nurseries under the name Earthguard can be applied to yard, carpet, furniture and animal's coat. 3. Flea combs are handy in short haired pets. The tines (teeth) of the comb are smaller than the size of the flea's body and the flea is caught on the tines of the comb as you comb thro the coat of your pet, and the flea can be quickly disposed of by thumbnail pressure, or wrapped in tissue and flushed down the toilet. 
Gloria Dodd, D.V.M. , graduate of the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine at Davis in 1960; private practitioner; pioneer in holistic veterinary medicine (the use of natural alternative therapies of acupuncture, chiropractic, natural nutrition, homeopathy, and magnetic field therapy); studied with medical naturopaths in Germany, South America and the U. S.; cofounder of the California Holistic Veterinary Medical Association 1981, member of CVMA since 1960, appointed Co-Chairperson for the Committee of Alternative Medicine on the Board of Governors CVMA ; international lecturer, teacher, and published in Prevention Magazine, California Veterinarian, American Journal of Acupuncture, Ultra Molecular Medicine and other journals. Nominated for OUTSTANDING WOMAN VETERINARIAN OF 1986 by the Association for Women Veterinarians.
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted, individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified holistic veterinarian
or alternative practitioner and is not intended as veterinary advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Healthy Pet Boutique, its owners and our community. We encourage you
to make your own health care decisions for your pets based upon your own research.
| |
Home |
About Us |
Contact |
Help |
Search | View Cart | Sitemap
Copyright ©
2012Healthy Pet Boutique
. All Rights Reserved. 