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Pet Tip #7 - FLEA is a Four Letter Word
Every year, about this time, we see hundreds of pet owners caught off guard by fleas. Traditionally thought of as a summer time plague, flea infestations often surprise central Florida pet owners with a population explosion in March and April. Actually, fleas reproduce the most rapidly in 70-80F weather with 70 % humidity, which translates to our early spring and mid-fall weather. Summer heat and humidity outdoors are sometimes too much for fleas to thrive. Of course, that also means that the best conditions for fleas to do well most of the year are actually in indoor environments, where the temperature is pretty controlled year round.

The only flea that really concerns us here is the cat flea. I'll spare you the scientific names, but what was once known as the dog flea, is apparently extinct. The "sand flea”, as it was called in this part of Florida where I grew up ,is nothing more than a newly hatched cat flea, commonly found in the sandy areas behind a house where the dogs would spend their days.

Here are a few flea facts that you might find interesting:

• Vibrations , and only vibrations, cause flea cocoons to hatch.
• Fleas locate their next meal by facing light and then randomly jumping when a shadow passes. They are not attracted by carbon dioxide, body heat or the sweetness of the lady of the house.
• Fleas must have a blood meal before they can lay eggs.
• Only certain species of wildlife can be infested with cat fleas. Opossums and raccoons are the most common critters (besides dogs and cats) that make yard control of fleas difficult. Squirrels and wild rabbits have their own species of fleas , but are not carriers of cat fleas. Also , their species of fleas do not infest dogs and cats.
• Although humans are often bitten by fleas, cat fleas cannot live on human blood and therefore humans do not become infested with fleas like dogs and cats.
• Older animals often seem to accumulate fleas in higher numbers because they do not remove fleas as well since they groom themselves less. Older animals are also a lot more sedentary and create flea infestations where they spend their day sleeping.
• The flea cocoon, or pupae, is very hardy and not killed by any insecticide available.

It is no longer very difficult to control fleas. The best products that have become available in the last 10-15 years are extraordinarily safe, easy to use, and very effective. The recent FDA report about dangerous topical flea medications clearly showed that virtually all of the serious reactions reported were in cases where certain dog products were used on cats , or where very large dog sized products were mistakenly used on very small dogs.

When used according to label instructions, flea products sold in veterinary hospitals are much safer for your pets and family, and ultimately less expensive than chemicals sprayed in the house or yard. Beware of "all natural" products for flea control. With indoor pets you may go years between flea infestations with no form of flea control. But , every year we see pets in our hospital that require blood transfusions due to blood loss from fleas, and in many cases these are pets who are taking garlic, brewer's yeast, tea tree oil etc., etc., as supplements.

So, don't let your guard down this year. If you wait until summer time to deal with fleas , you'll be about four flea generations behind and find yourself in a real uphill battle.

Pet Tip #6 - Mosquito Season
With all of the rain that we have had recently mosquitoes are extremely prevalent! Mosquitoes transmit heartworms. Protect your dog and cat with heartworm preventative medication. Did you know that more cats in Florida have heartworm antibodies than feline leukemia and feline AID's combined?


Pet Tip #5 - Ticks Too
Many people have experienced a dog tick problem in recent months. Since one tick can lay 8000 eggs it does not take long to have a huge infestation. The use of both a tick collar and an approved topical tick prevention product will go a long way to protecting your best friend.

Pet Tip #4 - Raisin/Grape Toxicity
There are more and more confirmed reports of dogs and cats becoming very ill from eating raisins or grapes. No particular variety of grapes has been incriminated nor do we have exact figures as to the amount needed to be consumed before the pets become toxic. The raisins/grapes affect the kidneys. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and lethargy. Until we learn more about this condition do not allow your dog or cat to eat raisins or grapes or products containing either of them.

Pet Tip #3 - Tobacco Toxicity
Tobacco is inherently dangerous to your pet. Most of us are aware that second hand cigarette/cigar smoke can cause breathing problems in dogs and asthmatic-like symptoms in cats. But strangely enough dogs have been known to eat both cigarettes and cigars. From 1 to 5 cigarettes and from 1/3 to 1 cigar can be fatal if ingested by your pet. If you suspect that your pet has inadvertently consumed tobacco call your veterinarian immediately.

Pet Tip #2 - Allergies
Spring has arrived and so has allergy season. Seasonal allergies in pets are more common than many people think. Pets, like humans can be allergic to ragweed, pollen, house dust, house dust mites, mold, animal dander, feathers, grasses, trees and shrubs. Animals tend to experience skin disorders rather than sneezing and watery eyes. But there are ways you can minimize your pet's suffering.

The most common cause of pet allergies is the flea. A few fleas can quickly become a full-blown infestation, which can be irritating, dangerous for your pet, and costly. Don't wait until you see fleas before you begin treatment. Because in Florida flea season is year round you must use a preventive year round. If you have more than one pet in your home they should ALL be treated for fleas. It takes much less effort to prevent flea infestations than it does to get rid of them.

If you have kittens too young for treatment there are chemical-free methods of flea removal. Use a flea comb to scoop up the fleas, and then trap them with cellophane tape for easy disposal.

Provide your pet with a good diet to help ensure his or her immune system is equipped to deal with seasonal allergens.


Pet Tip #1 - Easter Lilies
Easter lilies are a popular plant during early Spring. If you share your home with a cat and you receive this plant as a gift be aware that Easter lilies have been found to be toxic to cats. The primary toxic effects are on the kidneys. Within minutes to hours of ingesting some of the lily plant, a cat may stop eating, begin vomiting, and become dehydrated and lethargic. If no treatment is given, rapid and severe kidney failure occurs in a matter of days. All parts of the lily are considered toxic. If your cat has ingested part of this plant, rapid veterinary care is strongly recommended.