Health Tip: Treat Flea Infestation on Your Pet

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Fleas thrive in hot and humid temperatures. So depending on where you live, fleas can be a year-round problem or a seasonal worry.

Adult fleas are no bigger than a sesame seed, making them difficult to spot. And they can easily jump from one pet to another, or even to a person.

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation says once a female flea finds a host, it will start laying eggs within 24 hours and will produce up to 50 eggs per day.

An egg may fall off a pet and onto the floor, where a flea pupae can remain dormant for weeks before emerging as an adult flea. The flea may then live 12 days to 6 months, depending on the conditions.

Signs that your pet’s infested range from mild redness to severe scratching.

If your pet and home become infested, the foundation suggests:

• Have your pet treated with a product that will kill the fleas.
• Clean your pet’s sleeping area and wash all bedding.
• Vacuum any floors and furniture that were visited by your pet. Do this frequently to prevent re-infestation.
• Consider treating your home and lawn with an insecticide. Ask your vet what’s appropriate.

Source: HealthDay

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