Archive for January, 2012

You wake up one morning and the sun is shining and you’re sitting down for that first cup of coffee of the day. You take a sip while you flip open the morning paper but suddenly realize that your pet has not found it necessary to say good morning to you yet.

You get up from the table and go to look for them and you find them at their blankets scratching themselves uncontrollably. It’s happened. You have uninvited guests in the house in the form of fleas or ticks on your pet. The silent little buggers have decided to move in and invite themselves to a meal. Unfortunately they are feasting on your pet.

At this point in time the natural reaction is to go nuts and wonder how the heck it happened. In reality it’s now time to figure out what to do. Besides these pests making your pets uncomfortable, you don’t want them harming them to a point of skin or even worse a life threatening disease.

With the advent of many different products available to “so they say” rid your pets of these pests which one really works. I have tried many different products but the one I favor more than any other is Frontline Plus®. This product will very quickly address a problem and help prevent any potential future ones.

It happens to have the good housekeeping seal of approval and is rated as the #1 choice of veterinarians because it works on effectively fighting both Fleas and Ticks. After extensive testing the product manufacturer, Merial, has shown the following results:

It killed 100% of the Fleas within 12 hours It continued to do so for up to one month after initial application It can be used on pups and kittens over 8 weeks old, and on cats and dogs even if they are breeding, pregnant or lactating Another really big plus for a lot of pet owners is the fact that it is waterproof. The application doesn’t lose its effectiveness after you groom or bathe the animal. And it stills works after swimming. Breaks the Flea and Tick cycle you read about so often. This is probably the most important result of all. Otherwise a lot of hard work can be wasted on a month to month basis if you don’t stop the pests from re-infesting your pet.

For me, when the kids were growing up the child-proof packaging was good to have on the product. Having it applied in one quick application is also a great help. You open up the product, a neat little plastic applicator, by snapping back the top. Once you are ready you separate the pet’s hair and apply it directly to their skin.

The product works by remaining in the oil glands under the surface of the skin. By doing so it stays available to be administered continuously to the whole surface of the skin and then out to the strands of hair. This is what keeps the prevention cycle going and does a great job.

The other added benefit I feel is the fact it goes after Fleas and Ticks and provides a total program of Flea and Tick Control in one product. Other manufacturers products I’m sure work well but only on the specific problem for which they are purchased.

Products like Advantage or Advantix work well, but are for either Fleas or Ticks, not both. Frontline Plus is the most effective product I have found and it also kills the flea larvae and eggs.  

My pets, both dogs and cats have never had any reactions and thankfully never any ticks or fleas. I feel that having a good program of prevention using this product and checking them frequently during the high incidences of flea and tick weather keeps them protected.

Responsible pet care is the cornerstone of a long and healthy life for you pet. Take this responsibility seriously and you’ll be glad you did and you’re pet will love you for it.

Thanks for reading.

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Frontline Plus
Frontline Plus for Toy Dogs 11 22 Lbs. ~~ 6 Pack

British Frontline PLUS is the same as US Frontline PLUS, but it is packaged in kilos instead of pounds. It is made in the same Bayer factory. It is legal for an individual to purchase it, but it cannot be resold in the US.

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Frontline Plus for Toy Dogs 11-22 Lbs. ~~ 6 Pack

Bleh - fleas! 'Tis the season - are you prepared? It's not just at home where you need to be ready either. Different geographical areas have different climate conditions so the flea season varies depending on where you are - keep that in mind whether you are at home or traveling. Something else to be aware of is that fleas, in various stages of their disgusting lives, can survive indoors even during the cold weather. Following are some helpful facts about fleas and information on how you can prevent them from infesting your pets and your home.

Even though there are more than 2,000 known species and subspecies of fleas, only one class of flea called the 'cat flea' is to blame for almost all the fleas found on cats and dogs in the United States. What is really daunting is that there is evidence of fleas dating all the way back to the dinosaur era which means they obviously aren't going away by themselves - all the more reason to do something to protect your pets and family.

Most fleas can survive for an average of two to three months without 'food' which is actually the blood they suck from their 'hosts'.  A female flea consumes 15 times her own body weight in blood daily! You should also know that while adult fleas suck blood from a cat, dog or other mammal, their larvae live and feed on organic debris in the host animal's environment - that's your home! Be aware that some fleas can jump 150 times their own length - that compares to a human jumping 1,000 feet. So if you happen to see one flea, there may be more than 100 offspring or adults looming nearby in furniture, carpeting or on your pet.

Now let's talk about how to prevent these gross little parasites from getting into your life and how to get rid of them if they do. As a pet owner, one of your main responsibilities is to keep your pet healthy. Taking them to the vet for their annual check ups is very important. While you're there, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about a flea prevention method for your furry friends such as Advantage, Advantix or Frontline. Certain products can also help to prevent ticks in addition to fleas.

If you see fleas on your pets or in your home, take action immediately. Not only are fleas a huge annoyance, but they can also transmit diseases and tapeworm. If your home becomes infested, you will probably need to purchase flea bombs - make sure read and adhere to the directions carefully and contact your vet to get further advice and relief for your pet and family.

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Read the full K9 Advantix For Dogs review of:
Controlling Your Pet's Fleas - Be Prepared!
FIPROGUARD PLUS Dog & Puppy Topical Flea & Tick Treatment

FIPROGUARD PLUS Dog & Puppy Topical Flea & Tick TreatmentFIPROGUARD PLUS is the first retail generic equivalent to FRONTLINE Plus(R) for dogs*. FIPROGUARD PLUS contains Fipronil and (S)-methoprene - the active ingredients used in FRONTLINE Plus(R) for dogs*.FIPROGUARD PLUS topical flea and tick squeeze-on for dogs provides premium protection against fleas, ticks and chewing lice. It kills deer ticks that transmit Lyme disease as well as brown dog ticks, American dog ticks and lone star ticks. It also controls mites that may cause sarcoptic mange. Because FIPROGUARD PLUS kills all stages of the flea (adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae and prevents development of flea pupae), it controls re-infestation for up to three months. FIPROGUARD PLUS is waterproof and remains effective, even after bathing, water immersion or exposure to sunlight. FIPROGUARD PLUS is safe for use on puppies over 8 weeks of age and can be used on breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs. Fast-acting and long-lasting, sustained-release formula protects dogs for up to 30 days.*FIPROGUARD PLUS(TM) is a trademark of Sergeant's Pet Care Products, Inc. FRONTLINE Plus is a registered trademark of Merial. FRONTLINE Plus(R) and Merial are not affiliated with Sergeant's Pet Care Products, Inc.

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Read the full K9 Advantix For Dogs review of:
FIPROGUARD PLUS Dog & Puppy Topical Flea & Tick Treatment

Although the summer is coming to a close all over the United States, many people all over are still faced with the problem of their dogs, cats and houses being infested with fleas. Fleas are not a laughing matter as they do carry many harmful effects and can impact the health of your pet. There's an estimate on the web that it costs 1 BILLION dollars a year to control fleas on your pets. So what are these little critters?

Adult fleas range from 1/16 to 1/8-inch long, do not have any wings, come in an assortment of colors, yet are usually red to brown, extremely thick bodied, amazingly have 3 pairs of legs. You would think that they're jumping beans due to their jumping abilities. They can leap up to 7 inches, and can leap side to side up to 13 inches.

Now that we know what they are, how can we find them and target them for extermination? The first step is inspection. You can't treat what you don't know exists. Find out where your pets sleep and rest, as fleas tend to migrate to areas where they are sleeping. You can detect these flea areas, too, by using a white sock wrapped over a shoe and walking around a house. Other areas of activity occur where the animal goes in and out of the home, eats, plays, and explores. Cats are no different than dogs, except where they travel. You usually can't find a dog on top of a cabinet..unlike cats.
Now, there are two methods to stopping the flea problem at your house, home, or apartment: either kill the ones you have or stop them from even getting into your house in the first place.
Pet medications like Advantix, Frontline, and frontline plus , are a great way to stop the problem before it even starts. By applying this flea control medicine to your pets, you will be able to stop the host from attracting and carrying the fleas in your home. This is how it works and works very well as thousands of units are sold monthly, worldwide.
But what if you're to far past the point of pre-medication and need to address the flea problem now? You can hire an exterminator, which is a great option, but also rather costly. If you can't afford a flea exterminator, then my next suggestion is to defumigate your living area for fleas. Many manufacturers make so called "flea bombs" that kill fleas where they live". The only downfall to this method is that whereas it does work, you do have to close up your living area, close the doors and windows and let the flea bomb do its work. Left over residue, odors, and a feeling to always keep the windows open is often an after effect to using a flea bomb.
Or if you prefer less messy treatments, you can always use evasive techniques and put a shallow pan of water on the ground, and put in some dishwashing detergent. By placing a small lamp (gooseneck) in it, and leaving it on at night, the fleas will be drawn to the light, hit it, and fall into the sudsy mixture, thus killing them.

You have many tools, weapons, and procedures at your disposal in this war against the fleas. Never feel so frustrated that you have nowhere else to turn to. When in doubt, however, always call a professional who can best assess your situation, but always try a home remedy first. Good luck!

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Read the full K9 Advantix For Dogs review of:
Fighting the War Against Fleas- Your Weapons and Attack Plan

Just wondering, with them playing, chewing, wrestling with each other if I should not let them do that.

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Should I Keep Two Dogs Separated After Applying Advantix II to Them?

There are several different types of flea, but by far the most common is Ctenocephalides felis felis, also known as the cat flea. Though it is called the cat flea, it is the species most often found on dogs as well. Unless your pet has a severe infestation, he/she is probably not bothered by the odd flea, unless he/she has a flea allergy. However, since these unpleasant insects also bite humans we are, not surprisingly, somewhat intolerant of them. This article discusses how to tell whether your pet has fleas and, if they do, how to eliminate them from your house.

It is not always obvious when your pet has a flea problem. You may see an adult flea crawling around on your pets skin, especially if they have a pale coat. However, the easiest way to check for the presence of these pesky critters is to look for flea dirt. This is actually flea feces, and appears as tiny black specs near the base of hairs on certain parts of your pets coat, particularly around the rump (on the back, in front of the tail). Since fleas feed on blood, their feces is basically dried blood. When these little black specs come into contact with water, they turn reddish brown. So, try this: moisten a piece of white paper kitchen roll thoroughly and place it on a hard surface. Then, lift your pet above the paper and vigorously rub and scratch his/her back, going against the direction of hair growth, so that as much scurf and debris falls off you pet as possible. Afterwards, examine the wet paper closely. If your pet has fleas, the dried black flea dirt will have fallen onto the wet paper and turned into little red spots.

If you have seen a flea on your pet, or have found flea dirt as described above, then you have a flea infestation to deal with. Do not fear, the problem can be easily resolved by following these simple steps.

1. All pets in the house must be treated with an effective flea treatment.
2. The house must be sprayed to kill any fleas and flea eggs in the environment.

It sounds simple. However, I have lost count of the number of times clients say to me that they have done that already, when in fact they did not do it quite properly and so their flea infestation continued.

1. If one of your pets has fleas, you need to treat them all simultaneously. Your goal is to wipe out every flea in the house, so make sure there is no safe host for them to live on. Remember dogs and cats require different doses of flea treatment products.

Many owners believe that applying a flea product they have bought in a pet shop or supermarket will kill all the fleas in their house, or that a flea collar will provide adequate protection for their pet. Wrong. Purchasing these products is certainly better than doing nothing, but they are nowhere near 100% effective. They are comparatively weak compared to the products you can get from your veterinarian. There are many veterinary recommended products, here is a list of some of the best: Frontline®, Advantage®, Advocate®, K9 Advantix®, Program®, Revolution®, Stronghold®. Most of these are prescription only medicines, meaning they can only be obtained from your veterinarian or with a prescription from your veterinarian. However, Frontline® has recently been granted a general sales license and so can be bought over the counter, or ordered via an internet store.

Once you have purchased one of these recommended products, it is important to apply it correctly. Part the fur on the back of your pets neck and empty the contents of the pipette onto the skin, to form a small puddle of liquid. Applying it to the back of the neck prevents your pet from ingesting it as this is the one place they cannot lick at whilst grooming themselves. Once it is applied, do not wash or bathe your pet for several days and do not let your pet go out in the rain or go swimming, or the product will wash off and be wasted. The liquid is absorbed through the skin and distributed around the body.

Generally these products provide protection for 1 month from the time of application. Frontline® for cats provides 1 month protection vs fleas whilst Frontline® for dogs provides 2 months protection vs fleas, but only 1 month protection vs ticks and so is often applied monthly nevertheless.

2. Spraying the house. This is equally as important as treating your pet, as the major part of the flea life cycle develops off the host, in the environment. Though adult fleas will spend most of their time on your pet, the flea eggs and flea larvae live in the environment, often being concentrated in or near pet sleeping areas. To eliminate the next generation of fleas, the environment must be sprayed thoroughly with an effective spray.

The commercial introduction of Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) represented a major breakthrough in flea control. These chemicals are highly effective at destroying flea eggs and larvae, and so complement the spot on treatments very well. They are readily available over the counter in many forms, and do not wash off the floor with water so have considerable residual activity; application is required only once every 6-12 months.

So, where and how should you use this household flea spray? The various stages of the flea life cycle are not found on tiled floors, or floors covered with linoleum. They are mainly found in carpets and in cracks of wooden floors. First of all, shut all of the windows in the house. Make sure the house is empty, if this is difficult then shut all of the pets in a room where they seldom go, which you can spray separately later. If you have an aquarium, move it outside or make it airtight as the flea spray can get into the water and kill the fish. Then, go round the whole house spraying anywhere where your pet(s) spend time, concentrating on where they sleep and their favorite lying spots. Remember to move furniture and spray underneath too. Hold the aerosol about 30cm from the surface you are spraying. Once you have sprayed everywhere, leave the house, with the windows closed, for 3 hours. On your return, open all the windows and leave again for a further 30 minutes. Then go back and vacuum clean the entire house thoroughly. Remove the vacuum cleaner bag or empty the container immediately.

Following this technique will ensure swift eradiation of the fleas both on your pet and in your house. Good luck!

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Read the full K9 Advantix For Dogs review of:
Fleas: How to Rid Your Pet of Them
Advantage A9 Once a Month Tick and Flea Control for Cats 9

Advantage Flea Medication Purple 4-Month Supply. A once a month Topical Flea Treatment for Cats and Kittens 8 weeks and older and over 9 pounds. Kills 98-100 percent of fleas within 12 hours. Prevents reinfestation for at least 4 weeks. Convenient and easy to apply. Starts to kill adult fleas within an hour after application Stops biting fleas in three to five minutesWithin 12 hours 98-100 percent of fleas are dead

Advantage A9 Once a Month Tick and Flea Control for Cats 9 Pounds and UP - Purple

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dog fleas treatment

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Advantage A9 Once a Month Tick and Flea Control for Cats 9

When you first think of your pet dog or cat flea natural therapy, you may think of the 'usual suspects. If you've done a quick Internet search, you come around, including fleas natural therapy, in the information garlic, diatomaceous earth, pyrethrum, such as eucalyptus oil or natural oil penny royal. Often is a natural flea treatment attractive, because, obviously - this is very natural! The basic assumption is that most people, natural treatment, a bit annoying than the use of chemical treatment on their pet dog or cat fleas is more safe. After all, this is natural!

A 'natural' flea treatment - the word is of course load. This is the positive connotation of the full. 'Natural' flea control has its advantages rumors.

Anti-side of this argument is that 'chemistry' flea treatment is a bit dangerous, you might hear the master to comment, for example, "I do not want treatment 'hate' him too much chemicals."

Sometimes it is good to stop and test your assumptions. Natural treatments than they better, safer chemical cousin. Is the natural alternative to more or less effective than the chemical option.

When you do your online search for information, you may experience dealing with families looking for a pair of fleas so-called synthetic pyrethroids. A pyrethroid is the active ingredient from the chrysanthemum chrysanthemum version of synthetic pyrethroids. Synthetic pyrethroids and shampoo, such as fleas, flea flea powder, but also found some random killer on the product type, such as K9's, Advantix. In other words, the flea control ingredient is a natural compound from the initial development. Another example is a pair of flea treatment called neonicotinoid family. And examples of these components is the flea treatment products, home advantage in the treatment of spots and Superstar This is a oral liquid kill fleas. This phrase 'new chemical name' give it away - the new insecticides is a new chemical insecticides on the basis of plant nicotine.

Many years ago, in the use of nicotine from the main insecticide to control pests and other parasites. While I recognize that chemical treatments are removed from their ancestors some generations naturally, there is no doubt the fact that they are from the same family, it is the first time by chemical compounds from the plant is likely to be very effective. But I must admit, they are no longer 'natural sense, most people understand them'.

Interestingly, you do not have a long search found that many people have tried the so-called natural remedies fleas found that they do not for security, because they want to. Garlic is a project, often appear in natural flea treatment component - but you will find the article in the Veterinary warned that garlic (onion) can cause anemia in dogs, cats, and can more easily be

So, if you hate all the chemicals discounts stop and examine how they are actually modern flea treatment. You may be surprised how many actually have a natural flea treatment origin.

So this brings us back to the issues raised in the title. Natural flea treatments - they effective? I wish you from my article, trying to lead you in different directions to see tone. Perhaps this is the wrong question to ask. Now we know there are so many modern flea control natural flea treatments are actually based on chemicals in the first place, perhaps a better question is: natural flea treatment - is safe and effective? However, the same problem can also ask a chemical treatment. I think that, whether natural or 'chemical' choice for the treatment of fleas on your pet the most important criteria is whether flea control products are safe and effective.

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Natural Flea Treatment - They Effective?

Why Flea Control is Important

If your dog or cat has never had a serious problem with flea, tick or heartworm infestations, count yourself lucky!

To keep your pet healthy and comfortable in flea and tick country, it's important to treat him regularly with a safe and effective treatment. Advantage flea products and Frontline for pets, are two brand name products that will work for your pets.

Fleas, ticks and other parasites can be unsightly, irritating and itchy, and carry disease. An infestation in one pet can spread to other pets - cat fleas will go to dogs and vice versa. These buggers don't discriminate much. Humans are also worthy targets, so look out for red bumps and itchy skin if you've got fleas in your house! Ticks attach to your skin and turn light gray/brown and become enlarged and swollen as they fill with your blood! (However, I DO NOT recommend Advantage flea products for you, just pets! ) Kill ticks by removing them with the head intact and then crushing them, or putting them in alcohol or soapy water.

Fleas Have a Long Life Cycle, so One-Time Treatments Don't Wipe Out The Population!

Fleas lay eggs, which hatch into worms, which then pupate into a cocoon, waiting to emerge as an adult and infect another host. Flea larvae can survive for up to a year, waiting to emerge from the pupae phase and re-infect your pets. They can live in your carpet or your back yard as well as woods and fields near your home.

These parasites carry diseases that can be harmful to animals and humans alike. Bottom line - fleas are bad business and keeping them out of your home and out of your hair should be a serious priority in any area where fleas thrive and humans and animals co-habitate.

I learned my lessons about flea control the hard way when I didn't use any flea and tick spray...

When I got my first dog, Kera - a golden retriever/lab mix - I thought flea control was not that big of a deal. Kera was mostly an inside dog, and even though we lived in North Carolina - (Yikes! Flea country!) - I figured it wasn't a big deal... (and, I didn't want to spend the money on Advantage flea products, Frontline Plus, or any other cheap flea control products).

Then, I got my first glimpse of fleas crawling on her skin. We were sitting together watching TV, and I reached down to pet her and noticed a little gray beast crawling through her hair. I seized up... the food in my mouth suddenly became very unappealing... it wasn't long before I was combing frantically through her fur, finding flea after flea, crushing them and throwing their questionably dead bodies into a jar of alcohol.

Talk about gross!

What I didn't know then is that the flea life cycle can last up to two years. Even if I had caught all the fleas on Kera's skin, my problems weren't necessarily over!

Remember to kill ticks and fleas, you need an ongoing flea treatment program!

Fleas bite their hosts (mammals in most casts - dogs, cats and humans!) and consume their blood. When they bite, their saliva enters the blood stream and creates itching and irritation at the site. They also spread diseases, like Lyme disease, in this manner.

Fleas also lay eggs, which can fall to the floor in your house, or yard - perpetuating the flea infestation even if you've given your dog a one-time treatment like a flea and tick spray, flea bath, or flea dip.

A perpetual treatment regimen with a flea control product like Frontline or Advantage flea products is really the best way to get and keep your pet flea-free. These flea drops provide effective treatment for eradicating the fleas throughout their life cycle.

In addition, you should regularly vacuum your house to remove flea and tick eggs and larvae so they don't re-infect your pets or family.

Here's a great tip... put a flea collar (like one that emits gas to kill fleas) in the vacuum cleaner's collection bag to kill fleas and ticks (and their offspring) that it vacuums up!

Bottom Line - Keep Up With Flea Treatments!

An Effective Flea Treatment like Advantage Flea Products or Frontline Plus can stop flea biting in 3-5 minutes (it paralyzes them) and get rid of 98-100% of adult fleas within 12 hours. However, you need to keep up with a monthly flea treatment program to insure your dog or cat is not re-infected. These flea meds are widely used, extensively tested and recommended by veterinarians across the country as a safe and effective solution that will kill fleas, kill ticks, and keep your pets safe and healthy.

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Read the full K9 Advantix For Dogs review of:
Get the Advantage! Flea Products That Will Safely Cut the Flea Life Cycle