Come. Sit. Heal.
Stanley, Outer Sunset
Take a moment to check your pet's coat to make sure what you think is garden dirt isn't flea dirt. How to test:
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Stand your cat or dog over a white piece of paper or sheet and begin combing.
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If black specks of dirt fall, smear some on a damp paper towel. If the smear is reddish brown, like dried blood, you can be fairly certain it came from fleas. And if the black speck jumps, you can be certain!
Flea and Tick Prevention
Luckily for us San Franciscans, fleas don't thrive in our coastal cool climate. The same goes for ticks. The incidence of tick-associated disease within San Francisco is fairly low (Lyme, ehrlichia). But it doesn't mean you shouldn't take preventative measures.
A quick trip to "defrost" in East Bay and your once flea-free companion may return to the City with a coat full of undesirables. Keep the same prospect in mind when friends from warmer climates come to visit for a cool down. Pets that spend a good part of their day outside have a chance of encountering pests and should be checked regularly. The best way to avoid these happenings is to keep up a prevention plan.
Topical Products for Prevention
Topical products that we carry at Healthy Pets include Frontline and Revolution. These applications require a monthly dab or product, typically on their back just below their neck (so they can't lick it off). These products can protect against flea and tick bites for up to one month and sometimes longer. Tips:
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Do not give your dog or cat a bath for two days BEFORE or after applying one of these products.
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Do not applying the product for two days after your pet has been out in the rain or gone for a swim.
Pills for Prevention
A new product that is also available is called Comfortis. This is a tablet given once a month orally to your pet, which decreases the treatment failures associated with the topical products and limits the amount of your exposure to the flea/tick products. This product is made from an ingredient commonly used in organic farming, and therefor is a little more natural than the topical flea and tick products. The down-side is that it does not protect against ticks (only fleas). This is less of a concern if you live in the city, but not recommended if you live in an area with a high incidence of Lyme disease.
Alternatives
There are also effective holistic treatment options available. Garlic, vitamin B supplements, and diatomaceous earth work with varying degrees of efficacy. They do require daily application, as opposed to monthly. Many of our clients prefer it, especially those with young children in the house. For more detailed information about how to properly use these products it is best to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.
Murphy, Noe Valley
Look at What the Cat Brought In...Really!
Pest control for your pets should be approached with great care. There are many preventatives on the market that may or may not be harmful to your pet. Be sure to take precautions stated on the prescription and packaging. Clients of Healthy Pets have expressed successful results using some of the natural remedies prescribed to them. Healthy Pets pharmacy stocks all the major brands and natural treatments. Our doctors can help you decide which is best for you and your pet.
Flea and Tick Prevention
