The Aussie - Spring 2019

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.