FAQs (everything you ever needed to know and more) 

Fleas

Worms

fireworks  (It's not just 5 Nov !)

Bloat

FLEAS.

FLEA TREATMENTS --

When choosing which flea treatment is suitable for you it is important to know a little about the life cycle of the flea.

1. The flea cycle is contained mainly within the home, pets pick up very few fleas from outside.

2. Because fleas live mainly within the home and most houses are kept warm all year round, fleas are active throughout the year and not just in the summer.

3. For each adult flea on your pet there will be at least 20 developing fleas in the carpets of your house, so your pet needs to be constantly protected against reinfestation.

4. The flea pupa, one of the developing stages of the flea, is resistant to any insecticide available for use in the home. It can survive for up to a year, so it can take a long time to rid a house of fleas.

TREATMENTS AVAILABLE --

There are various forms of treatment, all available from your veterinary surgery. These come in the form of oral preparations, sprays, and spot-ons. There are also insecticidal shampoos available but these are not so effective as they do not leave residual protection once washed off.

House sprays can also be obtained from your vet and contain both an insecticide to kill any adult fleas in the carpet and also a flea hormone that prevents flea larvae from pupating. They need to be reapplied every 6 months.

RECOMMENDATIONS --

The best form of flea control for you will depend on various factors including the type and number of pets you have. Remember, a single flea can start an infestation in your home and once established it may take up to a year to clear. It is much easier to prevent the problem arising by using constant flea control.

Discuss your requirements with your vet and he/she will explain in full the various options.

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WORMS

There are two kinds of worms commonly seen in domestic dogs. namely roundworms: and tapeworms.

1. ROUNDWORMS ---These are the most commonly encountered worms in dogs, and all puppies will already be infested by the time they are born. as a general rule you will not know when your pet has roundworms as only the microscopic eggs are passed in the faeces, although occasionally an adult worm will be passed or brought up. In this case they appear as white, spaghetti like worms.

2. TAPEWORMS ---Tapeworms are less commonly encountered and unlike roundworms puppies are not born with them. The most common species of tapeworm seen in dogs is actually spread when the animal swallows a flea or louse infected with the intermediate stage of the worm. Often if your pet gas tapeworms you will see segments which pass from the backend and are often found in the hair around the anus or on the floor where the animal has been sitting. They look like cooked rice grains and can often be seen to move.

WORMING YOUR DOG --

* Roundworms ---Puppies should be treated every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old then every month until 6 months old. Adults need routine treatment every 3-6 months.

* Tapeworms ---No treatment is required for the first 12 weeks of life. After this, treatment should be carried out whenever tapeworm segments are seen and at least once a year anyway.

There are several products available and your vet will be able to recommend the most suitable one for your dog. Do not use products bought from pet shops as these are not as effective.

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FIREWORKS

Not every dog is frightened by fireworks BUT many are absolutely terrified and who wants 50-75 Kg of demented, terrified pooch.

This is a list of some links and ideas that we have found useful.  Please read them and choose whatever is best for your situation.  Here are a few points to consider.

Good all round advice from the Bathnes dog warden

General advice from RSPCA with a chance to support a bill that is currently before parliament and Blue Cross.  Also some common sense advice from a vet

DAP
Dog Appeasing Pheromone.  D.A.P. mimics the properties of the natural pheromones of the lactating female.

Remember each dog might react differently to fireworks and any of these treatments.  Daneline recommends that you seek advice from your Vet and accepts no liability for the information given here

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