We are already quite aware of the threat that fleas and ticks pose to our dogs and cats. But what about bed bugs? Are our family pets at risk from those pesky bed bugs that occasionally infest a family member and their bedding or clothes?
We were recently called to the aid of a local city housing authority that was dealing with a huge and long-standing problem: a 150-apartment low-income housing complex had become completely infested with bed bugs. The city agency was evacuating all of the residents, including the pets, prior to a massive fumigation effort, and the city wanted to ensure all of the resident’s cats and dogs were free from bed bugs prior to moving to nearby temporary quarters as the housing complex infestation was resolved.
Doing some quick research, I discovered that bed bugs are extremely similar to fleas. Fleas do not have wings but have a characteristic jumping movement that enables them to move. Bed bugs don’t jump or fly but instead crawl. Both feed on mammals. Both avoid light. Bed bugs often attack humans while they sleep (in the dark) then escape to cracks and crevices during the day, only to return the next night to feed again. Fleas, on the other hand, may remain on their host, buried deep down in clumps of hair. Both are blood-sucking insects that cause significant irritation to the host. Fleas can carry disease; bed bugs do not. Severe infestations can lead to acute anemia due to the continual blood loss from these blood-suckers.
Okay, so how would we attack any bed bugs we encountered? Additional research found that Neem oil products were recommended to rid dogs and cats of both fleas and bed bugs. Beautiful. We already had a Neem oil product in our inventory: Nature’s Specialties Quick Relief Neem shampoo. Neem oil is a terrific holistic herb that contributes to a strong immune system, healthy skin, healthy teeth, and shinier coat.
So armed with knowledge about bed bugs and our stock of Neem shampoo, we arrived at the housing complex to find eleven dogs and cats in line for treatment. We visually examined each pet prior to treatment, looking for signs of fleas and bed bugs using a very-finely-toothed flea comb (see picture). Common areas for fleas (and perhaps bed bugs) to congregate are the neck area, the area just forward of the tail, and the groin area. Combing thru the coat we carefully inspected what debris the comb removed. We did indeed find either bed bugs or fleas on the majority of the eleven pets. Jackpot!
We shampooed each dog and cat with the Neem product, leaving the product on for several minutes, and thoroughly rinsed the pet. Kiss the bed bugs gone. In addition to ridding the dog and cat of the insects, the shampoo also soothes any existing bugs bites.
Note: while the Neem shampoo will eliminate any fleas and bed bugs (and ticks) on the pet, its effect is short-lived. To prevent re-infestation, pets should be provided with any of a variety of preventive or treatments such as Frontline Plus or Advantage.
The resulting score of our day’s venture at the housing complex: Pets 11, Bed Bugs 0.
K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
Maintaining a dog’s coat, free of tangles, knots, and mats, can often be a challenging task for dog owners. Some breeds require near daily combing or brushing to sufficiently maintain the coat; others are fine with a weekly brush-out. By addressing the grooming needs of their dog in a timely manner, owners are able to properly monitor the skin and coat condition of their pet. Does the dog have fleas or ticks? Any embedded foxtails? Any skin rashes or irritations? Besides that, the dog will no doubt appreciate the attention and affection you provide during these sessions – even if they last just few minutes.
Some dog owners shun caring for their dog’s coat and only address the issue when it becomes totally unbearable. Unbeknownst to them, failure to adequately bathe and/or groom a dog can have sinister results and can seriously jeopardize the dog’s health. Such was a case that my groomer and I found this past week.
We were enlisted to groom a 90-pound, elderly Malamute/Samoyed mix, which was very dirty and severely-matted. The owner sheepishly admitted to not properly caring for the dog’s coat for an extended period and requested we do what we could to thoroughly clean and groom the dog. We immediately knew we had our work cut out for us.
As my groomer began to shave away the severely matted hair from the dog’s sanitary area and rear, she exposed a huge patch of open sores and badly-irritated skin that had been covered over by the mats – completely hidden from view. The dog apparently suffered from incontinence and the dog’s mats now contained stool as well. Worse yet, an infestation of fly larvae had developed inside the mats and on the dog’s skin. We were aghast. Grooming was halted. We notified the dog owner and promptly transported the dog to a nearby veterinarian. Under the vet’s treatment, which includes antibiotics and pain relief, we anticipate this pooch will be on a steady road to recovery.
While this was an extreme case of matting that grew over an extended period of time, I was awe-struck at the potential health risk that severe matting could cause. In this case, the large, thick mats both contributed to the underlying skin condition and prevented the owner from detecting the situation.
Had the dog owner taken the time to examine the dog’s coat at a reasonable frequency – brushing or combing as needed to resolve any developing mats – and bathing or grooming the dog as needed — the above situation would have been avoided.
Pets depend on our good care and attention to be healthy. Frequent attendance to brushing, combing, bathing, and grooming is a wonderful way to bond with your dog and stay abreast of any developing skin or coat issues. Your dog deserves it!
Provided by Dave Ely of Aussie Pet Mobile Marin, 415-686-4248
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
I remember playing in the woods with my dog as a kid and when I’d come home we’d engage in what became a common family ritual. My mom would go through my head with a fine-tooth comb looking for ticks, specifically black-legged ticks, a.k.a. “deer ticks”. I would in turn go through the same “search and destroy” ritual with my dog, with equal determination of course.
We went through these rituals for fear of contracting Lyme Disease, which we learned over time does not discriminate between people and pets. Lyme Disease is an infectious illness caused by a bacterium called Borrellia burgdorferi and is spread by the bite of a deer tick. The most common symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs include swollen joints, fever and lameness. And if it’s not treated in the early stages, the condition may progress to affect the nervous system, cardiovascular system and the kidneys. Historically, Lyme Disease has been pretty successfully treated with antibiotics. However, the longer the dog is infected without detection, the greater the risk for long-term health issues.
When it comes to preventing tick bites, thus curbing our pets’ chances of contracting Lyme Disease, there are a number of over-the-counter products available, including spot-on flea and tick treatments.
However, if you live in an area where Lyme-carrying ticks are commonly found, there’s a new consideration: a new Lyme vaccine called Nobivac™. While not the only Lyme vaccine available, it’s believed that Nobivac™ provides an enhanced degree of protection against Lyme Disease in dogs.
This is all great news but there are a couple things to keep in mind as you consider the potential of vaccinating your dog against Lyme Disease:
The Lyme Disease vaccine is NOT considered a “core vaccine” that should be given to every dog
Though most vaccines are safe, vaccination is a medical procedure that always carries some risk of side effects
Regardless of whether you choose to vaccinate or not, remember that Lyme Disease is not the only threat posed to dogs by tick bites, thus Lyme vaccination is not a substitute for a comprehensive program of tick control
Always talk to your vet about what’s in the best interest of your pet’s long-term health
And one final point . . .
As there are no guarantees, in addition to possibly vaccinating your pet and maintaining an on-going tick control program, you can always employ the old-fashioned “search and destroy” method. It always felt good to me and I trust it felt good to my dog as well.
This blog has been “vet approved” by Amy Attas, VMD
This post was written by Hope Shultz, President and COO of WebVet.com.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
Vaccuming, combs and those little sticky things on rolls, infomercial products, lots of laundry… sound familiar? The work seems to never end when it comes to grooming a cat. Some cats’ fur is worse than others, though. Just leave a t-shirt on the floor and have a look at it the next day, you’ll see just how much maintenance your cat’s really gonna need!
Last Sunday, we posted some advice from Dave Ely, from Northern California’s Aussie Pet Mobile. Today another Aussie Pet Mobile owner provides us with some tips for keeping that fur under control!
Summertime grooming tips for your kitty!
With cats spending time outside, soaking up the sun, it’s important to keep in mind these tips to keep them safe.
Not all cats need to be shaved in the summer time. Cats should be shaved no more than every 2-3 months. For summer, a simple grooming to pull excess fur out will keep them cooler in the warm summer months.
Outdoor cats should be treated with a flea and tick preventative. This should be done once every month to ensure cat flea control maintenance. Treatment can be done by a local groomer or by purchasing cat flea & tick control medicine at pet or grocery stores. There are also preventive measures available to keep fleas & ticks away from a pet owner’s home or yard. If your cat happens to get fleas or ticks, you can purchase cat flea & tick control medicines at a pet or grocery store and use it in conjunction with a flea comb, or you can simply call your local mobile groomer to come visit, treat your cat, and give tips on how to prevent your cat from getting fleas or ticks again in the near future.
Outdoor cats need more vaccines than indoor cats because they are exposed to more viruses when they interact with other animals. Be sure to keep up with your cat’s vaccines; vaccinations cats should get to battle the most common disease include: panleukopenia (distemper), feline calicvirus (FCV), feline herpes virus (rhinotracheitis), and rabies.
Cats that have been skunked can be treated at home with a baking peroxide and dish soap bath. Let the baking peroxide and dish soap sit on the spot that was sprayed, and then wash it off. If weary about treating your cat yourself, take your feline to your local vet or call a mobile groomer to come visit and treat your cat quickly and conveniently without having to place them in your car.
Sometimes cat’s hair can get matted. When this happens, don’t try to cut it out with scissors because a cat’s skin is very thin and easy to tear. Instead, the best way to get rid of the mat is to shave it off.
Check regularly for “kitty acne.” That’s right – like humans – cats can get acne too. Kitty acne first appears as small, oily black spots on the chin, which may progress to red, itchy bumps that can become infected. The culprit…kitty acne is most commonly found on cats that use plastic food dishes. These dishes are a magnet for bacteria and dirt that work their way into scratches and nicks, infecting your cat; stress may also be a reason. For treatment, daily cleaning with an antibiotic soap, followed by a topical ointment is recommended by most veterinarians, who can also prescribe oral antibiotics as well as a scrub with hydrogen peroxide.
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Tips provided by Jeff Boehmer, owner of Aussie Pet Mobile of King of Prussia/Langhorne, serving pets and their owners in Montgomery and Bucks County. Noted as the world’s largest mobile pet grooming concept in the world, Aussie Pet Mobile serves more than 250 cities in 24 states nationwide and 16 international countries with their exclusive 15-step pet spa treatment.
Since our animals cannot speak to us in words, this is part two of our series on items you need to check each month to keep your pet healthy.
These steps will help you to know when your ailing dog needs to be taken to the vet and when you can take care of him at home.
This week we are focusing on fleas.
A flea problem can be an indicator of your pet’s health. Start by looking for fleas, and flea dirt. To check for fleas, look thru the coat. If nothing is visible then look for flea dirt. To do this, brush your dog’s coat over a white piece of paper or light-colored towel. If you see any little black specks, moisten them with a drop of water or smear them with a damp cotton ball. They’ll turn red if they’re flea dirt. If you find signs of any of these problems, its time to take action:
If you notice constant scratching, biting, or sores, it could be due to an allergy to fleas.
When it comes to flea problems, like anything you have choices. In today’s world you probably have more choices than you would like to think about.
All the information is at your fingertips.
Be aware that the flea products that are being given to your pet can be toxic to them. Do your homework. Get on the internet and research the pharmaceutical flea options. Read the Pro’s and Con’s before you apply this medication to your dog.
Do not just accept anything recommended, always know and understand what you are applying, injecting or ingesting.
Your other option is to get on the computer, type in “natural flea remedies for dogs“, and a lot of options will appear. There are many natural remedies for flea control too.
When treating an animal for fleas, you must also treat the whole environment to actually stop the recurrence. If you don’t do this, you will not have long term success.
You have many choices to attack this problem:
The old “bug bomb” to set off in the house
The chemicals to treat the yard, concrete and patio areas
Hire a bug man to come in and spray
If you choose to try some natural remedies, here are some simple solutions:
Vacuum at least twice a week (get rid of the bag they live there too).
Wash all mats, rugs and toys in hot water, anything that can be washed and that is fabric.
Buy some diatomaceous earth and boric acid mix it and sprinkle it throughout the house.
Buy Nematode (for all the yards) you can get this from your nursery.
Use only natural ingredients in your flea shampoos.
Do not use flea collars.
Be cautious with chemical flea products, they are toxic.
Get a flea comb and a bowl of hot water and dish soap.
This should lead to a happy, healthy and flea-free pet! Stay tuned for more tips on evaluating your dog’s health next week!
This information has been provided by Susan Hartlzer of AlphaDogPR. They are based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.
Since our animals cannot speak to us in words, we will start a series of items you need to check each month to keep your pet healthy.
These steps will help you to know when your ailing dog needs to be taken to the vet and when you can take care of him at home.
Dog At Home Monthly Check Up – Skin Care
Skin tell a lot about your dog’s health by the condition of their coat and skin. Is their coat dull? Is their skin dry and flaky? Are they itching and scratching? Or does their coat shine in the sunlight and feel soft to the touch? Does their skin feel moist and supple?
When you comb or brush them, pay attention to their reaction. Do they enjoy the feel of the brush going through their fur, or do they flinch when you touch a certain spot? (Be careful of the type of brush you choose. We recommend a brush with soft bristles. Would you like stiff wires running across your scalp?)
Push the hair back and examine the skin for dryness, flakes, lumps sores or discoloration.
As you move through the fur, feel for any abnormalities under the skin. Note any painful reactions or lumps.
There are many possibilities that can cause a dull, coarse coat. It is usually caused by a lack of essential fatty oils in their diet.
Think about it, if you are feeding a dry dog food kibble as the main meal every day you can count on seeing dry skin. You may want to consider adding essential oils to their diet. There are many great natural fish oils made just for dogs, so find which one fits your needs. Add the oil to their food and you will see a difference, but not overnight.
Dry, Itchy Skin
In many cases you will find that by adding the oil to their diet the dry itchy skin will disappear as well. But if you have a serious case, the possible cause may be an allergy. So many times the allergy is related to the food they are eating. Try a different brand of food and start the elimination process but be prepared to take your time and do it correctly. Changing a diet quickly can cause some erratic bowel changes. Do it slowly weaning them on to a new food.
If you would not eat it, you should not feed it!
The next most common allergy is to fleas. Your dog can actually be allergic to flea bites which is why you may see more disturbances in the summer months.
You can go also go to your vet and have allergy testing done to find out what Fido is allergic to.
Topically: A No Brainer,only use a grooming product that is of natural origin, no chemicals. * Hot spots or real problems use aloe Vera gel or lather them up with a deep conditioner and leave it on all day.
Regular brushing also keeps skin healthy by stimulating blood flow of their natural oils. If your dog has a short coat, a weekly brushing will usually do. But a breed with a thick, long, or shaggy coat may require daily care. A wire slicker brush helps prevent mats from forming, and a curry brush or rubber grooming mitt removes loose hair quickly and easily. We recommend a brush with natural bristle for short hair dogs and a steel pin brush for long hair breeds.
For best results, be sure you brush down to the skin.
Before you begin brushing, mist your dog’s coat with a spray-on conditioner. This helps the brush move smoothly through the fur and cuts down on static electricity.
To remove mats, work some baby oil or liquid tangle remover. After several minutes, try to loosen and separate the mats, using your fingers or the end tooth of a comb. Carefully brush out the loosened sections, going slowly so you don’t hurt your dog. In severe cases, the entire coat may need to be clipped by a professional
You may notice your dog’s skin and hair are drier than usual in the wintertime, and the coat is crackling with static electricity every time you pet or brush them. Run a humidifier during the heat season to take care of these problems. When bathing, put a towel underneath their feet so they feel safe.
End Result: A Happy, Soft, Comfortable Pup
Article by Susan Hartzler of Alpha Dog PR, which is based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.
