Pet Sense (Archives)
All Creatures Animal Hospital
1894 Ohio Pike 797-(PETS)
Fleas
Flea and Tick Season is here. All Creatures is fully equipped to help you wage and win the war on fleas and ticks! Our knowledgeable staff is available to help you prevent and treat for fleas and ticks.
Fleas are the most common external parasite of our companion animals. They are bloodsucking parasites that can cause diseases in many species, including dogs, cats, and humans too. Not only are they a nuisance, but they also can cause tremendous anxiety in your pets.
Did you know that people, as well as other household pets can bring fleas inside your home? Once fleas are in your home, they can remain active through the entire year.
I’ve only seen one flea; do I really need to treat my pet now?
Flea control has always been a challenge because adult fleas cause the clinical signs; however, majority of flea populations are found in and around the house.
Although you see only one, adult fleas are only approximately 5% of the population. The other 95% are the immature stages of the flea life cycle such as:
The eggs (eggs are laid in the coat; however, tend to fall off the host)
Larvae (larvae develop and feed on the adult fleas’ feces [blood] that falls from the coat)
And pupae stages (the final stage prior to adulthood - these cocoons are very resilient as they can lie dormant for many months)
Regular vacuuming and household cleaning can help control fleas in the environment; however, keeping your pet protected is the best initiative you can take to keep your pets and home, flea free. Be sure to treat all your pets!
Should I only use flea prevention during the warmer months?
The warm temperatures and humidity found inside a house, can create a year round home for fleas. So to be sure your pet is protected, flea prevention can also be used during the colder months.
Can I use a flea shampoo?
Flea shampoos can be used; however, they are less effective than sprays, dips, or topical flea treatments because they have little residual effect. All Creatures has a variety of flea control products that are highly effective, long lasting, and safe.
How do I know if my pet has fleas?
Do you pet your furry 4-legged companion everyday? If so, take advantage of this time to examine your friend for evidence of parasites. A cuddling session is always a great opportunity to check from head to toe, for not only fleas, but other parasites as well.
Face and head – does your pet shake their head a lot? Scratch at the ears? Are there bald patches? Scabs? Redness? Excess wax or debris inside the ears?
Neck and body – use a flea comb to check for fleas or flea “dirt”.
Legs and feet – check the legs for any redness, hair loss, or scabs. If your pet has been scratching aggressively, there could be hair/blood found around the toenails.
Is it ok to purchase flea prevention products from the grocery store? All Creatures doesn’t recommend over-the-counter flea prevention products. They are not as effective, and can cause toxicity as the main ingredient is permethrin.
What about internet pharmacies? The FDA recently published an article warning pet owners about the dangers of purchasing pet products from internet companies. Once you receive the free products and rebates offered through All Creatures, we are often very close in price, and you are assured that you received the product you paid for, and you are eligible for the companies guarantee.
Puppy and Dog Training at All Creatures
Puppy, obedience, Agility and Canine Good Citizen classes are available at All Creatures Great in Amelia. Is your dog chewing, biting, having accidents, jumping, excitable around other dogs, or pulling constantly on the leash? All Creatures trainer Karen Pilis can help!!! Training classes are an essential part of dog ownership, the classes create an amazing bond between dog and owner(s), and forms lifelong behaviors that cause both pet and owner(s) to be happy and content. Aren’t sure which class is right for you and your dog? Just call All Creatures! We will help guide you into the best class for your needs! Do you have a severe issue or problem? Karen is also available for private sessions to help you through any issues you are experiencing!
Microchipping
What is microchip and when is it done?
Insertion of a grain-size chip under the skin between the shoulder blades is not a surgical procedure but most people prefer to get it done at the time of spay/castration due to the size of the needle used for insertion. It is a permanent form of identification that contains numerical and alphabetical information. A lost pet will be scanned for microchip at the shelter or vet’s office and the information retrieved will enable the authority to locate and contact it’s owner at a timely manner. Microchip is strongly recommended on all cats vaccinated for FIV because a simple FIV test will not be able to differentiate between actually infection and vaccine-induced positive results. This is especially important to prevent unnecessary euthanasia of otherwise healthy, vaccinated cat.
Tattoo Identification
Tattoo identification is another form or permanent ID offered at our facility. This can be done in the inner thigh (dogs) or abdomen (cats) or the ears (both). This is a cheaper alternative to microchipping. As with microchip, we strongly recommend that all cats vaccinated for FIV (if not getting a microchip) be tattooed to identify it’s vaccination status.
