Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 16, 1990 TAG: 9007160053
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CARLOS VIDAL GRETH
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Pet owners know what that means. Spot has so many bugs that it's a case of the fleas wagging the dog. A stroll through the back yard makes people in shorts feel as if they are wading through piranha-infested waters.
Areas of the South that enjoyed a mild winter followed by a wet spring and high humidity are suffering through a flea stampede this summer.
Fleas should be taken seriously by pet owners, according to Kathleen Bird, a veterinarian in Austin, Tex.
"A heavy load of blood-sucking bugs can weaken an animal. It can easily happen, because fleas reproduce within a number of days. Fleas can dangerously reduce an animal's appetite and even compromise its immune system."
In some pets, she said, fleas cause severe allergies that make the animal itch abnormally, lose fur and develop raw sores.
It also causes people stress, she said, to see their pets acting lethargic, scratching constantly and losing weight.
The best way to avoid flea-related stress is to plan ahead, according to Dan Clair of the Texas Department of Agriculture. "You have to control fleas on the animal, in the house and in the yard. Don't wait until they are exploding all over."
Shampoo the pet regularly. The product need not contain insecticides to be effective.
Vacuum often where pets congregate or sleep. Seal and throw vacuum bag away immediately, or, before reusing it, enclose it in a plastic bag and set it in the sun several hours.
Flea collars often work but can irritate skin. Routinely check under the animal's collar. Use collars only when the pet has a bad flea problem.
Flea combs with close-set teeth remove some insects and help you monitor the effectiveness of other treatments. Dip comb in soapy water to kill fleas.
Dusting products are better than sprays because they do not promote skin absorption.
Methoprene and fenoxycarb prevent fleas from reaching adulthood. Diatomaceous earth lightly dusted on pet bedding kills fleas by abrading their shells. Wear a mask while dusting with the substance, which can be purchased at garden-supply stores emphasizing organic products.
In cases when the fleas are so numerous they seem to be taking the dog out for a walk, owners face a dilemma: To dip or not to dip.
Bird, like most veterinarians, routinely has animals dipped.
"Nowadays, we are using products that have very little toxicity to the animal's system," she said. "For older dogs and cats, we use milder chemicals."
by CNB