Small Talk - Summer 2018

l The flea eggs tend to drop off in areas where your pet commonly visits, but since the larvae are mobile and tend to move away from the light it is essential to remember to vacuum everywhere, especially those ‘hard-to-reach’ places such as under the sofa and behind the TV etc. Flea Life Cycle When a juvenile flea hatches and lands on your dog it will live for about 3-4 weeks. During this time it will take regular blood meals and lay in the region of 300-400 eggs per day. These eggs fall off into the environment. These eggs then develop and hatch, looking for a suitable host to jump onto. The eggs are programmed to develop at different rates - some complete the lifecycle in 2 weeks whilst others take up to a year. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and vibration also affect the rate of development - indeed the immature stages can remain in a dormant state for years until they feel vibrations e.g. feet walking about. At this point they hatch and immediately jump onto a passing pet or human. Recommended Treatment There are now a wide variety of treatments for your pet; most practices are now recommending combination products in the form of a chewy treat that lasts between 1-3 months. Please feel free to contact your surgery to discuss your pets needs and the products available. There is no successful flea control program that does not involve treating the environment. In cases of heavy flea infestation we recommend the use of an environmental spray that kills both adult fleas and larvae - these effects can last up to one year. Ticks These are now very common in many areas of the UK. l When a dog or human brushes past long foliage the tick will attach itself to them. l At this point it is very small - the size of a pinhead. Over the next few days it takes a blood meal, increasing in size to a small grape. l Ticks can transmit several diseases that can be difficult to treat, e.g. Lymes Disease. l You must keep a close eye on your pet for up to 1 month after a tick bite. Observe for dullness, lethargy, reduced appetite or stiffness. If you see any of these symptoms you must present your pet for a check at the vets. The majority of modern flea treatments will also rapidly kill ticks on your pet. Please speak to the practice team for more details. small talk 11