Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

120 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
Deer tick Dog tick
Flea
These pests are not drawn to scale, but the ticks are in relative proportion to one
another.
blades, as described for Advantage. It also controls adult fleas and prevents
flea eggs from hatching. It is discussed in the section on Heartworms, page
341.
TOPICAL INSECTICIDES FOR FLEA CONTROL
A variety of insecticide products are available to control fleas, but there are
differences in safety and effectiveness. Be sure to read the label to make sure
the product is specifically intended to control fleas on dogs. Better yet, consult
your veterinarian and use the products he or she recommends. Do not use
flea products made for dogs on cats or rabbits!
Flea shampoos kill only when they are on the pet. Once rinsed off, they
have no residual effect. They are best used for mild to moderate flea infestations
when the environment has also been thoroughly treated. In general,
pyrethrin-based shampoos are safest, especially on puppies.
Powders and dusts have more residual killing activity, but must be worked
thoroughly through the hair coat down to the skin. They tend to leave the
coat dry and gritty. Dusting must be repeated two to three times a week, or as
recommended by the manufacturer. Dogs who lick or chew on themselves
may swallow toxic doses of these chemicals.
Sprays, foams, and dips have the most effective killing action and are the
best choices for severe flea infestations and for dogs with flea allergy dermatitis
if you are not using a topical preventive such as Advantage or Frontline.
Sprays and foams work best on dogs with short coats. Sprays come in pressurized
cans and trigger-activated bottles. The hiss of the pressurized can may
frighten some dogs, in which case the foam is preferable. Most sprays have a
residual killing action that lasts up to 14 days.
Water-based sprays are preferable to alcohol-based sprays, which are flammable
and can dry the coat. When using a spray, begin near the back of the
dog’s head and work toward the tail. This prevents fleas on the body from
escaping the treatment by moving up onto the face.