The Cost of NOT Using Flea Control

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-cost-of-not-using-flea-control.html

It's no big secret: flea control costs money. And it is not particularly cheap, with most quality products coming in at around $15-$25 per month for the average pet. In an attempt to reduce that cost, many pet owners use inferior flea control products (such as collars, dips or sprays), or sometimes no flea control at all.
But in the long run, are they really saving money? What they aren't considering the the costs involved when your flea control doesn't work and you need to eradicate a flea infestation from your house. Think flea prevention is expensive? Treating an infestation can be a lot more!

People often think of the up-front costs of health care. In the long run, prevention tends to be a lot cheaper than cure. This is true for flea treatment as well as vaccinations, blood tests, and heartworm prevention.

Some interesting new flea control products

Greenfield-based Elanco unveils flea treatments for dogs and cats - Indiana Economic Digest - Indiana
http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=135&ArticleID=58004

    GREENFIELD — With the introduction of two products, Elanco Companion Animal Health has doubled its product portfolio. 

    Elanco announced the launch this week of Trifexis, a flea-killing medicine for dogs, and Assurity, a topical flea treatment for cats. 

(via Instapaper)

Preventing Skin Problems in Dogs and Cats

Want healthy skin - don't forget the flea control.

Treatment of Dogs and Cats with Food Allergy

Itchy pet? It's not always due to flea control issues. Food allergies are a common problem in dogs and cats as well. 

Fleas: What They Are, What To Do

This post has a great overview of the flea, its lifecycle, and what flea control to use.

 

Behind the Label: Flea Powder

http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/723156/behind_the_label_flea_powder.html

 

Comparing Flea Control Products for Dogs

http://community.petango.com/petango/blog/2011/01/07/how_to_compare_flea_control_products_for_dogs

With so many different flea control options available, it’s imperative that every dog owner knows how to compare flea control products for dogs to make an informed decision about their dog’s flea treatment.  Flea control is not “one size fits all,” and the best treatment for your dog will depend on your dog’s age, health and what it is habitually exposed to.

Check out the link above for some basic advice on how to compare different flea control products.

Can I use this dog shampoo on my cat?

http://tickfleacontrol.net/can-i-use-this-dog-shampoo-on-my-cat/

Most dog shampoos are NOT made for cats.

If a product is not listed as safe for cats, then don't use it! Cats are much more sensitive to flea control products such as pyrethrins, and can get very sick or even die if overdosed. Stick to products made for cats.

Toxic flea and tick collars (finally!) get warning labels

Toxic flea and tick collars (finally!) get warning labels : Tails Of The City
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/pets/detail?entry_id=80463

A December settlement in a lawsuit brought by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) resulted in a big win for dogs, cats and their human families in California. Warning labels must now appear on flea and tick collars that contain the cancer-causing chemical propoxur.

Another reason to avoid flea and tick collars for flea control. 

Common Causes of Allergies in Dogs and Cats

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-AllergyCauses.htm

Flea allergies are the most common type of allergy. A flea allergy occurs when a dog or cat becomes infested with fleas and the fleas begin to feed on your pet. As the flea feeds, it's saliva secretes a substance to which some animals develop an abnormal sensitivity. An allergy to the flea is the result.

For dogs and cats that are allergic to fleas, one flea bite can be enough to cause a reaction.
Many dogs and cats that are allergic to fleas groom themselves excessively and some dogs and cats are quite good at removing the fleas. It can sometimes be difficult to find evidence of fleas on your dog or cat even if your pet is suffering from the symptoms of a flea allergy.
The symptoms of flea allergies can be prevented by preventing your dog or cat from becoming infested with fleas.

Another great article from About.com in this series about skin disease in pets. And what comes up as the most common cause of allergies? Fleas of course! Just one bite can be enough to cause a reaction. Remember your flea control and help keep your pet allergy free.

How Yeast and Bacterial Dermatitis Happens in Dogs and Cats

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-Dermatitis.htm

Under normal circumstances, both canine and feline skin provides a defensive barrier that bacteria and yeast are unable to breach. However, when your dog or cat's skin becomes damaged, the environment on the surface of the skin changes. This change gives the normal yeast and bacteria living on the surface of the skin the opportunity to avoid the skin's normal defense systems and cause further damage to the skin.

Itching from fleas can end up causing some serious complications. If your pet ends up with a yeast and/or bacterial dermatitis, flea control won't save you. Time for a trip to the vet.

Diagnosing Hair Loss and Scratching in Dogs and Cats

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-DxSkinDisease.htm

Diagnosing Canine and Feline Skin Disease with Flea Control

If your dog or cat is scratching and losing hair, one of the first things your veterinarian will likely recommend is a reliable form of flea control if you are not already using flea control. This is because fleas can be notoriously difficult to find on dogs and cats, even if fleas are the cause of the allergy. And if fleas are not the cause of the initial skin irritation, controlling fleas is still important because fleas are likely to make the original skin problem much worse.

Fleas are one of the top causes of itchy skin in dogs and cats. Make sure to start flea control if your pet is itchy.

Natural Flea Treatment Doesn’t Mean Less Toxic! (Flea Control Secrets) | Accessories For Cats

Just remember when someone tells you that natural products are safer- deadly nightshade is a natural plant. Is it safe? This video explains which natural flea control products are unsafe.

http://www.accessoriesforcats.com/cat-accessories/natural-flea-treatment-does...

Best Way To Treat Fleas - Petsadviser.com

http://petsadviser.com/pet-health/best-way-to-treat-fleas/

Flea dips and flea collars for dogs and cats used to be the only alternative many years ago. They were better than nothing, but they are toxic to pets and you, and not extremely effective.

I couldn't agree more. There are numerous effective, proven flea control products available. Using a flea dip or flea collar will be a waste of money in the end.

Follow up on APVMA review of adverse reactions in veterinary products

Follow up on APVMA review of adverse reactions in veterinary products.

http://www.hallvet.com.au/2010/12/follow-up-on-apvma-review-of-adverse-reactions-in-veterinary-products/

The Canberra Times article has left us scratching our heads. Our reading of the APVMA report left us in agreement with the APVMA that the incidence of adverse reactions – and fatalities in particular – was relatively low in all the products mentioned. Whilst all of the products contain a risk in their usage, the benefit when the products are used as recommended far outweighs the risk.

(via Instapaper)

This article is well written, and shows how facts can be easily distorted to sensationalize a story. The flea control products mentioned are safe is used correctly.