It’s that time of year! As the thermometer goes up, we all want to spend more time outdoors. It’s also when we need to really combat those pesky fleas and ticks. Yes—it’s war!  If you’re wondering how to fight fleas, here are five ways to do it effectively—using weapons that are tried and true.

5 Ways to Fight Fleas

How to Fight Fleas Weapon #1: Persistence

The worst thing you can do is let your guard down or wait too long before starting the fight. As the saying goes, the best offense is a good defense.

How to Fight Fleas Weapon #2: Use Veterinary-approved Prevention Medication

You can use oral or topical  products from the store, but we suggest you consult your veterinary technician for the most recent ones. These medications will cost more at the vet, yes, but they have years of research on efficacy as well as safety-testing behind them.

How to Fight Fleas Weapon #3: Keep your Living Area Clean

Vacuuming picks up adult pests and their eggs. Be sure to empty the bag or canister into a garbage bag and throw it away, since critters can easily escape from a machine left in the closet. Fleas love warm, dark places.

How to Fight Fleas Weapon #4: Treat Living Areas

Many people now have their yards sprayed for fleas, but don’t depend on this alone. There are also sprays and powders to use inside where your pet spends the most time. As with any chemical, read the directions very carefully to protect your pet from possible toxicity.

How to Fight Fleas Weapon #5: Check your Pet Often

You can monitor your pet using a flea comb as well as your own eyes. The most common places to initially find fleas are the back of the head and the base of the tail. Dogs with thick fur require extra diligence.

Have You Heard these Myths about Fleas?

There are many sources of misinformation out there. Your hairstylist or neighbor may mean well, but they don’t have the full knowledge required to win your fight. Here are a few common myths about fleas that can lead us blindly into infestation.

• I know my dog doesn’t have fleas, because I don’t see any
• Flea control is only needed in the summer months
• I’ve seen fleas on the cat, but the dog only goes outside to go to the bathroom, so I don’t need to treat the dog. And our yard is fenced in
• I treat the yard, so I don’t need to do anything else
• Monthly flea-control is too expensive, so if the pet gets fleas, I’ll just treat them then

The Tip of the Tail

To aid you as a veterinarian, breeder, or a pet owner, DDC Veterinary offers an oral swab test for PKD. The test kit is identical to the canine kit, and the turnaround time is 10 business days from the date we receive the sample. Have questions? Please contact us at [email protected].