Frequently Asked Questions About Pets

• What Is Flea Bite Allergy?
• What Are Some Signs Of Fleas On A Dog?
• Can Fleas Kill A Dog?
• What Do I Do If My Dog Has Fleas?
• Cat Fleas vs Dog Fleas, Is There A Difference?
• Can You Get Fleas From Your Dog?
• What Is A Dog Allergy?
• What Is A Flea Allergy?
• What Is Flea Allergy Dermatitis?
• What Is Flea Allergy Dermatitis Treatment?
• What Are The Best Pets For People With Allergies?
• Are There Dogs That Don’t Shed?
• What Is A Flea & What Do Fleas Look LIke?
• What Is Flea Poop Or Flea Dirt?
• How can I get rid of fleas on puppies and kittens?

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Q. What is flea bite allergy?

A. Flea bite allergy is a common condition in which the immune system reacts in response to flea bites, which can result in severe itchiness, hair loss and skin sores or hot spots.
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Q. What are some signs of fleas on dogs?

A. Signs of fleas on dogs include:

• Excessive scratching, licking or biting at skin
• Droppings or “flea dirt” in a dog’s coat
• Flea Allergy dermatitis
• Hair loss
• Scabs and hot spots
• Pale gums
• Tapeworms

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Q. Can Fleas Kill A Dog?

A. Whilst it would be considered possible, especially if it were a tick, being that if one or more of them are carriers of Lyme disease, or if there are very high numbers of these parasites, which in turn can cause an animal to become anemic from constant blood loss. This in itself could become severe if untreated. So though it is not likely for a dog to die just from fleas or ticks, it IS possible.

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Q. What do I do if my dog has fleas?

A.. Start a complete flea control and evacuation program right away. Fleas live by sucking the blood of your pets. They can bite humans as well. Fleas can cause discomfort by biting, anemia by loss of blood, severe skin allergies, spread disease and transmit tapeworms. So hop to it and spare your pet the discomfort of flea infestation.

• An effective flea control program MUST address these 3 points
• treatment of the pet, the entire house and car, your entire yard and that means every nook and cranny.
• All pets that are prone to contract fleas MUST be treated, excluding fish, birds, and reptiles of course. There are many safe and effective products for adult pets as well as puppies, kittens ferrets and rabbits as well.
  For house and car treatment, begin with a thorough vacuuming. Be sure to get under everything and I mean everything, furniture, rugs, etc. Don’t forget the basement or garage. Throw out the vacuum bag after use to prevent fleas from crawling back out. After cleaning, use a flea bomb or premise spray, and take care when using, following label directions correctly. Treat the entire area, even places not frequented by your pet. You may need to vacuum and treat furniture according to the manufacturers’ recommendations as well. Be sure to remove all pets and family members from the area while spraying and until it is safe to return them.
  Don’t forget the environment. Treat as much of the yard as possible with a professional flea spray according to the label directions. Be sure to treat areas where your pet spends time, including decks or dog houses. Fleas like to hide in bark dust and leaf litter as well. Make double sure you have not overlooked a spot as they will return and re-infest.
• For safe and effective use, always read and follow the label directions for all flea control products.

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Q. Cat fleas vs dog fleas, is there a difference?

A. Are dog fleas and cat fleas the same? Although one is called a dog flea and one is called a cat flea it would be impossible to tell the difference without the use of a microscope. The most common flea found on all dogs and cats is the notorious cat flea. It is a common misconception that dogs will only have dog fleas and cats only have cat fleas, that is if you knew there was a difference. Reports state that 95% of all fleas found on dogs and cats are the horrid cat fleas. So, Are dog fleas and cat fleas the same? - No. But will you ever know difference? - No, not at least without a microscope and I don’t think I will be getting down that close to look at them any time soon.

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Q. Can you get fleas from your dog?

A. Can humans catch fleas? - No, they cannot actually live on humans, but they sure can visit you for a meal! they usually live in carpets and bedding and hop on whatever warm-blooded creature passes by usually the cat or dog but often humans too. that’s why it’s so important to treat the carpets and bedding when there are fleas around. Fleas are host specific and we are not their preferred host even though they may bite us once but they will always jump back off and find their preferred host, such as your dog. So the answer to the question - Can humans catch fleas from dogs? is NO.

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Q. What is a dog allergy?

A. Dog allergies manifest when a dogs immune system develops hypersensitivity when exposed to harmless substances. There is a wide variety of allergies dogs can suffer from. Just as people do, dogs can show allergic symptoms when their immune systems begin to react to certain everyday substances, or allergens as if they were dangerous. Even though these allergens are common in most environments and harmless to most animals, a dog with allergies will have an extreme reaction to them. Allergens can be problematic when inhaled, ingested or contacted by a dog’s skin. As his body tries to cleanse itself of these substances, a variety of skin, digestive and respiratory symptoms may appear.

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Q. What is a flea allergy?

A. Flea allergy is an allergic reaction where the dog or cats immune system over-reacts to flea saliva, resulting in a severe inflammatory response and intense itchiness.

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Q. What is flea allergy dermatitis?

A. Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction where the dog or cats immune system over-reacts to flea saliva, resulting in a severe inflammatory response and intense itchiness.

• The first symptom you may notice is severe itching and inflammation of the skin. The dog or cat will scratch and bite excessively at the affected areas often causing damage to the skin which may develop into circular, red painful sores called hot spots. These hot spots can occur anywhere but are most commonly seen along the back and at the base of the tail.
• As the condition progresses there may be hair loss, broken hairs, oozing or crusty sores, pimply bumps and general redness and inflammation of the skin. The sores can be very painful. In severe cases the skin becomes thickened and dark, predominantly in the area on the dog’s back at the base of the tail. The dog, itself, does the damage with self mutilation due to severe itching.
• Secondary bacterial and yeast infections may be present in chronic cases of flea allergy dermatitis and you may notice an unpleasant smell coming from your dog because of this. Mostly dogs are affected, especially along the back near the tail base, but signs can occur anywhere on the body.

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Q. What is flea allergy dermatitis treatment?

A. Since the flea saliva is responsible for the reaction, the most important treatment for flea allergy dermatitis is to prevent fleabites. Strict flea control is the foundation of successful treatment. There are many highly effective flea control products, both for treating the animal and for controlling fleas in the environment. Supportive medical therapy is initiated to help control the itching and secondary skin infections. Systemic steroids, given orally or by injection, are often used to help control the inflammation. Antihistamines are a safer alternative to the steroids and can be given for longer periods of time, without many of the common side effects and complications that may occur with prolonged use of steroids. Repeated scratching and itching often results in secondary skin infections that may require the administration of antibiotics to help relieve discomfort.

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Q. What Are The Best Pets For People With Allergies?

A. First and foremost I will give mention to and highlight the word DANDER

Dander Definition (Dander is - a term used for a material shed from the body of various animals, similar to dandruff. Pet dander is composed of tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers.. It is a cause of allergies in humans. Pet dander is generally worse in older animals than in younger animals, as older animals slough off more skin cells than younger animals. Dander is microscopic, and can thus be transported through the air. Through the air, dander can enter the mucous membranes in the lungs, causing allergies to some individuals.) So for those who thought the offending allergens is a direct result of the hair or fur of the animal, you could just be wrong.

Dogs For Allergic People or Low Dander Dogs - There are numerous breeds of dogs good for allergies. Below you will find a list of dog breeds considered hypoallergenic or dogs good for allergies, but you must take into account that no animal will be completely free of allergens, but these dog breeds are considered very low risk for the best dogs for allergies.

• Dogs Good For Allergies: American Hairless Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, Bergamasco, Bichon Frise, Bichon Yorkie, Bolognese, Border Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Cairn Terrier, Cavachon, Chacy Ranior Chinese Crested, Cockapoo, Coton De Tulear, Doodleman, Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Hairless Khala, Havanese, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Labradoodle, Lagotto Romagnolo, Lowchen, Maltese, Malti-Poo, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Native American Indian Dog, Peruvian Inca Orchid, Polish Owczarek Nizinny, Poos, Portuguese Water Dog, Puli, Schnoodle, Shepadoodle, Shichon, Shih-Tzu, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spanish Water Dog, Standard Poodle, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Terrier, Toy Poodle, West Highland White Terrier, Wirehaired Fox Terrier, Xoloitzcuintle, Yorkshire Terrier

Cats - The primary cause of allergic reactions to cats is caused by allergens found in the cat sebaceous glands within the cat’s skin, such as the allergenic glyco-protein called Fel D1 short for “Felis domesticus”, it is also secreted via saliva in lesser quantities. When cats lick themselves, they spread this protein, which is rather syrupy, and glues itself onto dust particles, in the home, clothing and their fur; whether it’s long, short, straight, curly, or absent. As all cats have sebaceous glands, all cat breeds can potentially cause allergies. Allergic allergens are also found in the feces, serum, urine, mucous, dander, and hair roots of the cat. Cat allergen is astonishingly pervasive. Even after a cat has been removed, cat allergens can remain throughout the home for up to 6 months and up to 4 years in the cats bedding. Cat allergen has been found in almost 1/3 of non-cat owner’s homes and on the clothing of co-workers who don’t even own cats, in doctor’s surgeries and schools. Cat allergens have even been found in the Antarctic, where no cat has ever been. Cat allergen is about 10 times smaller than pollen or dust particles it is so minute that it easily penetrates the bronchial membranes. It is also very important to note that up to 50% of people who are allergic to cats will not get any immediate symptoms. So always check with your health professional first via skin prick tests and have multiple visits to catteries, over a period of months to test your reaction to particular breeds. And remember before you lay blame on the cat for your itchy watery eyes, sneezing fits or runny nose, be sure to get allergy tested, as the cat just may not be to blame after all.

Whilst remembering that A hypoallergenic cat is only LESS LIKELY than other cats to produce allergic reactions in some people.

• Cat Breeds Considered Hypoallergenic: Devon Rex, Cornish Rex, Sphynx, Siberian Cat, Balinese, Oriental Shorthair and the Javanese

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Q. Are There Dogs That Don’t Shed?

A. I will give you the bad news first, There is NO such thing as dogs that don’t shed, non shedding dogs are just that…non-existent - all dogs will be shedding hair to some degree. So the answer is there are no dog breeds that don’t shed, though some dogs are considered low-shedding dogs.

Even though the so called non shedding dog breeds do shed a little hair. The good news is that there are ample varieties of big dogs that don’t shed much and small dogs that don’t shed much, that are considered to fit into the category of low-shedding dogs.

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Q. What Is A Flea? & What do fleas look like?

A. What is a flea? A Flea is a small, wingless insect ranging in size from approximately 1-10 millimeters in length depending on the species. Most people, especially cat and dog owners will be familiar with these small detestable, biting insects and will have either seen them on their pets or have felt the effects of their irritating bites. Fleas can be recognized by the following features:

• Laterally compressed bodies
• Piercing-sucking mouthparts
• Enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping
• Strong tarsal claws adapted for holding onto their hosts
• Backward pointing hairs and bristles for ease of movement through the hair of a host
• Small antennae which tuck away into special groves in the head

Q. What is flea poop or flea dirt?

A. Flea poop is flea dirt, and flea dirt is the common name given for flea poop. Flea dirt on dogs and cats or flea poop looks like bits of black pepper or dirt on your pet’s skin and in the hair or coat. Flea dirt is actually flea feces, composed mainly of the blood meal ingested by the flea from your pet. The blood is dried out, giving it a black, crackly appearance and texture. Often you will see flea dirt but no fleas, that is in no way is an indication that there is no fleas. You just haven’t seen them yet. Flea dirt but no fleas is your best indication that you certainly do have a flea problem, which must be addressed. So never think just because there is flea dirt and no fleas that your pets or house is not infested in them. This would be a big mistake.

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Q: How can I get rid of fleas on puppies and kittens?

A. Newborn puppies and kittens should never be given flea bath until they are at about 10 weeks old, but there is a way to help your newborn puppies and kittens get rid of fleas.

Items Required to get rid of fleas on puppies and kittens:

• Two bowls of warm (not hot) water, large enough to submerge your puppy or kitten.
• Dawn dish detergent
• A fine-tooth comb

Method to get rid of fleas on puppies and kittens:

• Fill the two bowls with warm water, one for washing, one for rinsing.
• Putting a small amount of Dawn dish detergent onto your hand, carefully submerge your kitten or puppies body into the water.
• Gently massage the Dawn dish detergent all over the body of the puppy or kitten and be sure to make your start point at the neckline or else the fleas will get a chance to run up and hide around the face and head area.
• Live fleas will begin to die rapidly and fall off with this method.
• Remove puppy or kitten from wash bowl one and rinse thoroughly in the second bowl of warm (not hot) water.
• Place your puppy or kitten into a warm towel and gently rub your kitten or puppy until it is COMPLETELY dry. Pick of all visible fleas and use a fine tooth comb to eradicate any that are left. And there you have it. A flea free puppy or kitten.
• Last but definitely not least..In actual fact, this should be the first thing to consider especially if your puppies or kittens are still nursing from the mother or there are other pets in the household. The house, mother, other household pets, bedding and yard must be dealt with using appropriate flea control treatment. If this is not done your flea problem will return in no time at all.

NOTE: Veterinarians actually suggest this method of getting rid of fleas on puppies and kittens. So it is safe to do, just take care not to get detergent on your puppy or kittens face or in its eyes. Original dawn or concentrated are the dish detergent you will need. This liquid will suffocate fleas and melt their outer shell. It will efficiently kill the fleas on your newborn puppies.

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