Dr. Jim Lovell

Now that spring has finally arrived you may have noticed your pet starting to scratch a lot. While there are several reasons your pet may be itching, also known as pruritus, the number one cause is flea infestation. Fleas cause an animal to itch for two different reasons. The first reason is because the movement and feeding process of the flea is irritating to the animal. Secondly, as the flea feeds on your pets skin and blood, its saliva enters the bloodstream causing an inflammatory reaction that can last up to four weeks. This is know as flea hypersensitivity which will cause an animal to itch even though the flea infestation has been treated.

To determine if your pet is infested with fleas, look closely around the neck and at the base of the tail. They are favorite feeding areas for fleas. While parting the hair all the way to the skin, look not only for the flea but also for tiny black specs of material known as flea dirt. Flea dirt is fecal material deposited on your pet by the flea as it feeds. If you find flea dirt then your pet is definitely infested with fleas.

Once you determine your pet has fleas it is important to not only treat them but also their environment. Many products are available that will effectively kill fleas on your pet, which include topical treatments, shampoos, and an oral medication that can kill every flea on your pet within 30 minutes. Once the flea infestation has been eliminated, it is important to follow up with a monthly preventative that will kill fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs in the environment.

Because fleas lay eggs that can remain viable up to a year, the environment should be treated as well. This would include treatment of carpets, rugs, hardwood floors, bedding, and the yard. Many products are available that will safely eliminate fleas from your environment. Before any products are used on your pets or their environment, consult with your veterinarian about the safety and proper use of such products. Your veterinarian will also be able to help establish a treatment protocol developed specifically for your pet that will permanently rid you of all pesky flea problems.

E-mail jblovell@att.net with any questions you may have for future articles.

Dr. Jim Lovell is a local veterinarian.