Summer has definitely brought along with it all of the seasonal skin problems in our pets, most notably those annoying and hard-to-get-rid-of blood sucking parasites we refer to as fleas.

Because we live in a subtropical environment, the flea season extends almost all-year-round, but the recent heatwave and humidity has meant that the lifecycle of fleas is completed even faster, and we are seeing ever-increasing populations attacking our pets. And just ask anyone, they are extremely hard to get rid of once you’ve got an infestation, and therefore the best solution by far is to use effective flea preventatives continuously, not just in the summer, so you avoid getting the problem in the first place.
All too often we hear the phrase “I’ve tried everything and nothing works!”  So why is it that despite all the shampooing and spraying you are still seeing fleas on your pet or your dog is constantly scratching?
The biggest problem is that in trying to get rid of the problem, most people are treating their pets without understanding the lifecycle of the parasite, and therefore fail.
For example, did you know that the adult fleas you are seeing on your dog represent only about 5% of any given flea population?  It is for this reason that killing adult fleas on the pet with shampoos, powders, or sprays is useless as you are only attacking 5% of the problem, and they have no residual effect.
And did you know that if you see even one adult flea on your pet, there are likely to be at least 20 more that you can’t see, which means your little darling will be dropping up to 1000 eggs every single day into your car, your sofa, or your bed!  And once these nasty little critters make your place their home, it can take up to 6 months to get rid of them all, because the pupa, or cocoon phase of the lifecycle, can survive in the environment for that long, and there are no products available that can kill them.
So how do you know if your pet has fleas?  Contrary to popular belief, not every single animal with fleas will be itchy.  The biggest tell-tale sign is the presence of “flea dirt”, the bloody excrement they leave behind.
And what is going to be an effective flea treatment I hear you ask?  This will depend on your individual situation, including the number and types of pets, whether they come into the house or not, and what your yard is like.
Effective flea control involves treating all pets on the premises, the home, and the yard.  At the Old Mill Veterinary Surgery and Pet and Livestock Supplies we will have a solution for every single flea problem, and can help you find the right treatment for your pets and your home, so you can be flea free.
Please call us on 3425 2222 if you have any further questions, or pop in for a free flea check and advice on product selection.