SHOO FLEA, DON’T BOTHER ME!

As much as every pet owner would like to believe their little angel is perfect in every way, there comes a time when we our pets have fleas. This has been a particularly brutal summer in Los Angeles for fleas. With such nice weather, people are constantly outdoors socializing at the beloved dog parks - a breeding ground for flea infestation. So, as upsetting as it is to learn your pup has fleas, it is important to take action sooner than later.

Two necessary actions need to happen simultaneously. The dog must be rid of the fleas, as well as the living space, otherwise fleas can infest one or the other and create a vicious cycle. The fleas must be exterminated from the pet immediately, primarily to put the animal out of the misery of constantly itching. Too much scratching can lead to a dermatitis that makes their skin dry and raw.

Go to your local Petco and get the flea dip. This is a stronger treatment than using a flea shampoo at home. The treatment kills fleas on contact and repels them for the next 24 hours. At this point, the pet cannot re-enter the home because fleas in the house will jump right back on their host. It is also strongly recommended that pet owners invest in a superior quality flea control product such as Advantix or Frontline, which can be ordered online at www.PetMeds.com and is delivered directly to your home. This will greatly decrease the risk of a future outbreak.

There are several options to exterminate fleas from your home. However, be liberal about these methods because you can never take too many precautions. One method is the fogger, which can be found at a pet store. One can of fogger per room is set off while no person or pet is home, and it will kill fleas and their eggs. While foggers can be useful for those uneasy to clean areas, they also do not get in every corner of the room. There are spray options that can be used on furniture the way one would clean with a disinfecting spray. For pet bedding and carpets, powders are available to sprinkle on these areas and then use the vacuum to remove the residue. After vacuuming, it is crucial that the vacuum bag is removed and destroyed so that fleas do not breed inside of there.

At this point it should be safe for the pet to be in the home without risk of recontamination, but there is no guarantee. It is so important to be diligent about observing your pet to make sure there are no fleas in sight and also maintain a clean environment in the home this fall, so they don’t come back.