Historical September 1995 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Okay, Okay—I give up!
I will write about fleas again and give my views on the new wonder pill that everyone, but me, is recommending this year.
The late summer, and early fall, are the height of fleas season; by the time this issue is available the fleas should be reaching their peak in numbers and activity.
It is anyone’s guess as to how bad the flea season will be. Various theories: the flood of 93, the wet spring, the long hot spell–all are cited as reason to expect a large flea population.
After 20 years in practice, I can assuredly predict that there is no rhyme or reason as to why one year is a “good” flea year, and another year ‘bad”.
The best advice about fleas is to take precautions and treat your pets before they pick up fleas.
The hot item this year is the once-a-month pill, Program.
This pill given as directed will interrupt the development of the flea eggs produced by a flea after it has bitten the pet and taken a blood meal.
The idea is to prevent your pet front bringing fleas into the house that will develop a large population off of the dog–not a bad idea.
However, the adult Residents listening to blues band Mojo Syndrome. fleas can live several weeks on the dog, happily feeding and producing inviable eggs. Who knows, maybe they are thankful we’ve taken responsibility for their birth control. Thus, a dog who is allergic to the flea bites will get no relief from this product.
I have seen new products come on to the market with as much hoopla as Program, only find that within a year or two they are gone, either because the product failed to live up to the claims made by the manufacturer, or because of some difficulty discovered with the use of the product.
As a result, I tend to be conservative, and observe a new product before I recommend its use to my clients. So far, I have not heard of any problems with Program, but I will wait until this flea season is over to judge whether the performance lived up to the manufacturer’s claims.
In the meantime, all the marketing publicity for Program has given me the opportunity to discuss, and recommend, some products for flea control that have been around for a while and when used to prevent flea infestations, are effective.
There is a collar that will do the same thing as the Program tablet–make the flea eggs infertile. But, the fleas do not have to bite the pet to be affected by the drug.
The collar is works for several months and has proven effectiveness. Combined with some type of insecticide to kill adult fleas, the Ovitrol collar will help prevent a flea population in a home.
I generally recommend Defend for adult flea control on dogs.
It is applied monthly to the dogs skin as approximately one teaspoon of liquid, it spreads throughout the oil layer of the skin and kills adult fleas.
It cannot be used on cats.
For cats, I suggest using a foam product that is applied weekly.
There are other products available and we by to taylor a flea control program to individual patients and owners. Possibly, by next year I will have joined the throng that worships at the feet of Program. Until then, the most important part of flea control is to take preventative measures, whatever they are, and not to wait until your pooch, or kitty, is a flea hotel before you take action.
Original photograph caption
Original dog photograph accompanying Pet Talk. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1995.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1995_09.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 4.
