July 2017 Our Health


Staying healthy means keeping pets free of fleas


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The Hampton Roads Messenger 5 Healthy Recipe


BY Julie Fidle If you think fleas are annoying


now, hold onto your collars; experts are warning that the little nuisances are becoming resistant to the popular flea control products that pet owners turn to in order to keep their little buddies itch-free.


Veterinarians are telling pet


owners that flea treatments like Advantage and Frontline are a waste of money because they’re no longer effective at getting rid of fleas and keeping them away. Te bugs have mutated in order to survive, it seems. [1]


“You can imagine when we’re


applying a flea product that’s designed to kill a flea and those fleas have random mutations, the genes that are resulting and are allowing the fleas to survive are going to win,” said Dr. Van Ekert. [2]


Much of the United States has


experienced an unusually warm fall, and that has contributed to a thriving population of fleas. Tey started off small but are now growing, according to Dr. Ekert. And meteorologists predict


that El Nino will keep much


of the country warm throughout the winter, so the problem is likely to worsen.


“Normally, they go into dormancy


in the winter, so they will hibernate for a while. But it just hasn’t been cold enough for that yet,” Ekert said.


Dr. Denise Genix at South Tampa


Veterinary Clinic, says that fleas can become tolerant of the chemicals used to kill them. It’s especially a problem with over-the-counter flea treatments, because so many people use them. Te more common the treatment, the more likely fleas are to mutate and become resistant to them.


“Tey really don’t need anything,


but a dog or a cat to feed on and as long as that’s available they will keep laying eggs. So you have to treat the house, the yard and the pet for the best flea control,” says Genix.


Vets are recommending ingestible


flea treatments like Nextguard, which is also made by Frontline, but both dogs and cats are regularly sickened by over-the-counter flea treatments, especially if they ingest them. Some of the chemicals in these products are


neurotoxins! I actually learned this the hard


way many years ago when I applied a gel flea treatment between the shoulder blades of one of my cats, per the instructions. My cat was still able to crane her neck far enough to lick the treatment, even though I thought I’d applied it high enough so that she couldn’t get to it. My cat was sick for days aſter that.


Tere are natural ways of ridding


your pets and home of fleas. It’s a better choice, whether you have “normal” fleas or the mutant kind.


1. DIY Flea Comb Boil


a pot of water, add 1


freshly-sliced lemon and turn off the heat. Let the mixture steep overnight. Te next day, dip your pet’s comb or brush into the mixture and run it through their fur. Sponges work well for short-haired breeds. You can also boil water and then pour it over a freshly-sliced lemon, if you’re crunched for time.


2. DIY Flea Trap Place a bowl or plate on the floor


in each room of your house, preferably smack dab in the middle. Fill them with water, add dishwashing liquid – about a capful. Place a tea-light candle in the center of each bowl or plate, or near it, and light the candles. Te fleas will be attracted to the light, and they’ll get stuck in the soapy water and die. Te next morning, you can raise that plateful of fleas victoriously over your head and let out a maniacal laugh. (Don’t spill it, though.)


If your house is loaded with fleas,


you may have to do this 3-4 times. What’s more, if you try this method, you’ll have to find a place to put your pets, since you don’t want them burning themselves or drinking the soapy water.


Tere are also methods that


involve essential oils and Borax, but pet owners should be careful about using either one. Certain oils can be absolutely toxic to animals, and Borax is, too.


Talk to a veterinarian and ask


around to see what can work for you and your pets. And remember to share any solutions you’ve come across!


*Editors Note: Some people recommend adding vinegar to pets


drinking water but we would not recommend that because ingesting vinegar may soſten their bones.


Below are tips from the EPA for


controlling fleas and ticks Controlling Fleas and Ticks


Around Your Home Te following tips may help


to prevent, reduce or eliminate flea infestations:


Vacuum every day to remove


eggs, larvae and adults; this is the best method for initial control of a flea infestation.


Be sure to vacuum the following


areas: carpets, cushioned furniture, cracks and crevices on floors, along baseboards and the basement.


Steam clean carpets: the hot steam


and soap can kill fleas in all stages of the life cycle.


Pay particular attention to areas


where pets sleep. Wash all pet bedding and family


bedding on which pets lie in hot, soapy water every two to three weeks.


If an infestation is severe, discard


old pet bedding and replace it with fresh, clean material.


Use a flea comb to suppress adult


fleas. Hair can pass through the comb's teeth, but not the fleas, removing fleas as well as flea feces and dried blood.


Especially comb the neck and tail


areas, which is where the most fleas congregate.


Deposit fleas in hot soapy water to


kill them. Consider allowing your pets


to stay indoors as much as possible, which reduces their chance of being bitten by tick and fleas.


Modify your landscape to create tick safe zones.


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