The Aussie - Spring 2019

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These days, many people don’t seem to have a problem with fleas, despite the fact they don’t use any of the standard veterinary products. However, with the warmer weather there is a chance that these unwelcome characters just might pop up. ‘The Aussie’ looks at the topic of fleas and how they can be controlled. The Unwelcome Guest Blame it on CATS The most common flea in the UK is Ctenocephalides felis felis - the cat flea. It is the culprit for 95% of flea infesta?ons in the UK. Unlike its cousin Ctenophalides Canis - in simple english the dog flea - the cat flea can thrive and even mul?ply on a variety of hosts and not just cats. Whereas the dog flea can only reproduce on dogs, or related species like foxes. The cat flea actually originated from Africa and is now found worldwide ranging from warm tropical areas to temperate zones, even with prolonged freezing in sub zero temperatures this pesky liUle creature can survive. It arrived in Europe, when the Crusaders came back with domes?c cats.
Urban Myths It is an urban myth that if a dog goes near a hedgehog, it will become infested. Dogs and cats can become accidental hosts of rabbit fleas, rodent fleas and hedgehog fleas. However, these species don’t survive long and can’t reproduce on dogs and cats. Cats generally catch a flea from other cats, or they pick them up from undergrowth where fleas eagerly await a passing host and jump on board for their tasty snack! Homes with cats, as well as dogs could be more likely to get these unwanted guests if precau?ons are not taken. We’ve got fleas! It happens to the best of people. what do you do when you spot one? Quite simply the first ac?on is to use a spot-on insec?cide to help minimise the bite poten?al and to nip the situa?on in the bud. By ac?ng quickly it can prevent the further spread. All pets in the household should be treated and not just the vic?m! Although a flea will s?ll bite a pet that’s had a spot-on, the flea will only bite once! Using the product once is generally not an issue, although research is showing that excessive use could increase the chance of carcinogens. Does Raw Food prevent fleas? Many claim that a dog fed on raw food are less likely to get flea infesta?ons than those fed on commercial processed diets. Whilst raw fed dogs do get fleas, they appear to be affected less o\en than those on processed food diets. The researchers tell us that it is simply because fleas are ‘sugar junkies’. Many of the processed foods have a high sugar content, which will create spikes in the blood glucose levels and the fleas are aUracted to the dog like a magnet. This phenomenon can be compared to some people aUrac?ng mosquitos more than others. It is all about the skin and blood chemistry. The second reason is that fleas are aUracted to animals with stronger odour and less healthy skin. Those who feed raw or homemade cooked diets will agree that there is a reduc?on in doggy smells a\er a few weeks of being on this type of diet. In simple terms it means that raw food is not a flea preven?on method, it merely makes dogs less appe?sing to fleas. Adding supplements to boost a dog’s immune system like Citrus Paradise, a potent course of vitamin C, or Garlic and Fenugreek tablets. Natural OpJons Other op?ons are Phyt for Dogs. It is a herbal solu?on which combine such herbs as St John’s Wort, Comfrey, Burdock and even geranium. Another product is ’Go Away Ticks and Fleas’ both make your dog repellent to fleas from the inside out. Some use Diatomaceous earth. This is composed of ?ny organisms known as diatoms. These have the ability to Some use Diatomaceous earth. This is composed of ?ny organisms known as diatoms. These have the ability to lacerate the exoskeleton of the fleas and kill them through dehydra?on. You just rub it into the coat taking care not to inhale too much of the dust. My Itchy Dog’s CSJ Skinny Spray is neem oil base and can be very effec?ve as an an?bacterial defence and as a deterrent. Regular baths with a natural shampoo infused with lavender, rosemary and lemon will work as a repellent, whilst a product r rich in oats will nourish the skin. And as we have men?oned, good skin deters the fleas. The same is true for most of the sprays on the market. Add to this that the chemical residues turn to dust which can be inhaled - it puts not only your pet but you with a poten?al health risk. So modera?on and care is the key. With the recent milder winters, it is leading to an increase in the number of fleas and so owners need to be aware of the poten?al problem and act fast. When you consider that only 5% of fleas will be on your pet, the remaining 95% will be nes?ng in your carpets and home furnishings the issue becomes an environmental one. The tough regime Fleas are almost indestruc?ble. They are extremely well adapted for survival. Many think that washing the bedding will solve the problem. But it’s nearly impossible to drown a flea. The only way to aUempt to do this is to wash the pet bedding on the hoUest sePng and then tumble dry immediately and you might have a chance at killing the fleas. As far back as 200AD, Claudius Aelianus reported that fleas could not be easily drowned They have wax covered cu?cles which repels water, so they cannot get soaked. It is thought that the cu?cle wax extends into the trachea preven?ng water from entering the respiratory system So you can’t drown them. In one study, 7 squirrel fleas were dropped into water. Only one died in 24 hours - the rest lived up to 7 days! Carpets need to be vacuumed before a thorough steam clean which s?mulates the fleas. This includes rugs and hard floors, then you need to spray with a non-pes?cide spray like Flee, Skoosh and Biospo?x. These are silicon based and work by suffoca?ng adult fleas, eggs and larvae. Remember a cat flea can live for about a week and during that ?me a female will lay approximately 30 eggs. Hatching in 6 week periods, fleas cleverly trick you into thinking they have gone.
Page 1 and 2: The Aussie Spring 2019 edition Lead
Page 3 and 4: The Aussie Well it’s countdown no
Page 5 and 6: The winners of each class then goes
Page 7 and 8: SCATC always strives to find ways t
Page 9 and 10: Scratch it! In the last ediJon of
Page 11 and 12: Ways to manage dog food allergies T
Page 13 and 14: It is poor policy to put a new bree
Page 15 and 16: Flying High Can Aussies fly? Of cou
Page 17 and 18: Who's smarter? At first glance, dog
Page 19 and 20: Although a dog show, Crufts is wher
Page 21: We’ve all been there—huddled in
Page 25 and 26: Wimbledon Tennis is just around the
Page 27 and 28: Basic strategy How you respond to a
Page 29 and 30: The lull before the storm. The Auss
Page 31 and 32: This ‘poem’ was sent to ‘The
Page 33 and 34: The old saying is let sleeping dog
Page 35 and 36: Many of you will know that when you
Page 37 and 38: Caroline Nicholsson This ar?cle was
Page 39 and 40: Omega-3 By ensuring your dog’s in
Page 41 and 42: Final Word Don’t forget…. Dogs

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