Pet Grooming Orange County

Are Fleas Becoming Resistant to Popular Flea Treatments?

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Are Fleas Becoming Resistant to Popular Flea Treatments?

We’ve seen it coming for a long time. Fleas are becoming more and more resistant to flea treatments. Veterinarians are now recommending that pet parents stay away from popular flea treatments like Frontline and Advantage. These products are no longer effective at getting rid of fleas.

It appears that these tiny insects have mutated in order to survive. The more popular the treatment, the more likely it will be ineffective at keeping fleas at bay. With the increasingly warm weather we’re experiencing in Southern California, it’s obvious our flea problems aren’t going to disappear any time soon.

Fleas continue to feed on their hosts for their entire lifecycle. During that lifecycle, they also lay hundreds of eggs. For the best control, you need to treat your pet, your home and your yard.

Flea Control in Orange County, CA

Many vets are now recommending the use of ingestible flea treatments like Comfortis. Comfortis is extremely effective at eliminating fleas on both dogs and cats.

Home treatment with Flea Busters powder is also recommended. Flea Busters powder is a safe alternative to harsh, potentially dangerous chemical flea treatments. One treatment with this highly effective powder typically lasts for several years. In fact, many people report they do not need to treat their pets after treating their home. However, it’s recommended that you use a backup method if your pet spends a lot of time outside.

Orange County Professional Pet Grooming

As an Orange County pet groomer, we’ve seen many flea products come and go. We’ve also noticed many of these products becoming ineffective. We use and recommend Comfortis and Flea Busters powder. Flea Busters powder is available in our shop and Comfortis is available through your veterinarian.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming in Orange County, California. We have a full service salon and offer mobile grooming from our state-of-the-art mobile grooming van. Our groomers have many years of experience working with pets of all ages. Although we primarily see dogs and cats at our grooming salon, we are able to provide grooming services for a wide variety of animals. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up your next grooming appointment.

Diatomaceous Earth For Flea Control

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Diatomaceous Earth For Flea Control

Summer is right around the corner. As the weather begins to warm up, fleas can become a very big problem. For effective flea control, consider using Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous Earth is an excellent and inexpensive way to control external and internal parasites on your dog.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous Earth is a non-toxic substance made from the crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. Diatomaceous Earth is deadly to insects, yet harmless to pets and the people that love them.

How does it work?

When looked at under a microscope, Diatomaceous Earth resembles small pieces of broken glass. The sharp edges easily pierce the protective coating on insects and parasites, causing them to dehydrate and die.

Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth

Internal parasites can be controlled by giving food grade Diatomaceous Earth internally. Diatomaceous Earth can be used to eliminate roundworms, whipworms, pinworms and hookworms when fed daily for thirty days. Just remember to only use food grade, because other types of Diatomaceous Earth can be dangerous to your dog.

Diatomaceous Earth can also be used to control external parasites and flies. Simply dust your dog, its bedding and any carpeted areas.

Diatomaceous Earth has been reported to absorb methyl mercury, e-coli, endotoxins, viruses, organophosphate pesticide residues, drug residues and protein. This makes Diatomaceous Earth an excellent detox solution, digestive aid and colon cleanser.

Dosage

For dogs over 55 pounds, add one tablespoon of food grade Diatomaceous Earth to their food every day. Use one teaspoon for small dogs and puppies. To control external parasites, rub the powder full strength into the coat and sprinkle on bedding and carpeting.

Claws N Paws Day Spa believes that Diatomaceous Earth is a safe and effective way to control fleas. We offer full service pet grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please contact us at 714-962-1005.

 

Preventing Fleas and Ticks – Orange County Pet Grooming

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Preventing Fleas and Ticks – Orange County Pet Grooming

Fleas and ticks are external parasites that can cause a lot of discomfort for your pet. During the summer, Orange County pet grooming shops typically have to deal with a lot of fleas and ticks and the problems that come along with them.

Fleas

Fleas can be found almost anywhere. Although there are more than 2000 species of fleas, the common cat flea is the type that is most often seen on both dogs and cats. Fleas prefer warm, humid conditions. This is why fleas are more prevalent during the summer and early fall.

Fleas can cause flea allergy dermatitis, which is a severe allergic reaction to flea saliva. In severe cases, flea allergy dermatitis causes intense itching and inflammation that often leads to bacterial or fungal infections. Fleas also play a role in the transmission of tapeworms and cat scratch fever. In severe infestations, fleas can remove so much blood that they cause anemia.

Ticks

Ticks are not actually insects. They are closely related to spiders, scorpions and mites. There are approximately eighty tick species in the U.S. but only a handful of them pose a problem for people and their pets.

Tick bites can be both painful and irritating. However, the real concern with ticks is the number of serious diseases that they are able to transmit.

Ticks can be found all over the United States. Although they can be seen during any time of the year, they are most prevalent during the early spring and late fall. Ticks prefer dark, moist, brushy places.

Preventing fleas

Today, there are many safe and effective flea control products to choose from. These products are administered either orally or topically. Some flea control products are only active against adult fleas, while others target other stages of the flea’s life cycle. Keep in mind that these products are separately labeled for dogs and cats. Never use flea medication meant for dogs on your cat.

Once an infestation is established it can be extremely difficult to get rid of. It might be necessary to treat your pet several times. It is also important to treat the pet’s environment.

Preventing ticks

Many major flea control products have formulations that help prevent ticks as well. These products are usually applied topically at the back of the neck. Just make sure that you never use medication intended for use on dogs on your cat.

Keeping your pet out of heavily wooded areas and tall grass are an important part of tick prevention. It might be necessary to treat your yard to reduce the number of ticks.

It’s a good idea to check your pets regularly for ticks. If you find ticks, never attempt to remove them with your bare hands. Your veterinarian or groomer can help you figure out the best way to remove ticks.

Claws N Paws Day Spa can help keep your pet free of fleas and ticks. For more information or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

 

 

Fleas Carrying Plague – Why Southern California Flea Control Is So Important!

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Fleas Carrying Plague – Why Southern California Flea Control Is So Important!

We all know how annoying fleas can be. What you might not realize is that fleas can carry diseases. This year, Southern California flea control may be more important than ever before. Just 475 miles away, in Flagstaff Arizona, prairies dogs are dropping dead from plague. Yes, you read that right. The same plague that ravaged Europe in the 14th century is being carried by fleas and killing prairie dogs today.

Residents throughout the Flagstaff area have been notified that plague is present and monitoring is expected to continue for quite some time. The situation is being assessed regularly to determine whether further action is necessary in order to contain the disease.

About Plague

The Plague, also known as the Black Death, wiped out sixty percent of Europe’s population in the 14th century. Caused by a bacterium, there have been three major outbreaks: the Justinian Plague, the Great Plague and the Modern Plague. The most recent outbreak spread through China and into the U.S. during 1860s.

With modern antibiotics and improved hygiene, plague isn’t feared today as it was in years past. However, you will still want to protect your pet from fleas and the possibility of disease. Fleas often bite humans and they are especially attracted to household pets such as dogs and cats.

The incubation period from the time an infected flea bites until when symptoms are experienced is one to seven days. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, body aches and bad chills. Anyone who suspects plague should be seen by a doctor right away.

Protecting your family from fleas is easy. Stop by Claws N Paws Day Spa to discuss flea control options. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at 714-962-1005.