Flea Care
Advice, Information
and Warnings!!!
 A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR DOG'S WITH CANCER.
(Please read it carefully - Your dog's life may depend on it.
I apologize for how long this message is - but it's really important
that you get this information.)
OK, it's official.
Flea season is back. I know because I just got my third e-mail message from
a client asking what they could do about their cancer fighting dog's fleas problem.
And in this case, for your dog with cancer, I implore you to take this message
VERY SERIOUSLY.
Fleas can KILL your dog. Believe me, I know first hand. Because in the end,
it wasn't so much the cancer that got my dog Marty... it was fleas
(and it was preventable - if only I knew back then what I know now.)
Here's the problem. When your dog has cancer, you can't use traditional
flea fighting remedies - because like so many things in our society,
they're chemicals that are like poison to dogs whose immune systems are
already under attack.
Frontline, Advantage, flea collars and the other traditional flea fighting
remedies are generally just low grade pesticides... not enough to cause
too much damage in healthy dogs - but like pouring gasoline on the fire
for dogs whose immune systems are compromised fighting cancer.
So they're out. Right out. If you want to help your dog fight cancer.
But here's another problem. Left untreated, fleas will KILL sick dogs
(and small kittens too). I didn't realize this, until it was too late.
Fleas are incredible (and incredibly annoying) survivors.
They reproduce so quickly and they're virtually impossible to kill.
They feed off of the blood of you dog, and they seek to attack the easiest
victim around. Unfortunately, when your dog has cancer, that easiest victim
is your dog.
With Marty, I knew the first part of this warning - that I couldn't use
flea chemicals on him - but, unfortunately, I didn't know the second part -
about just how dangerous fleas can be...
So when Marty got fleas the Summer of 2007, I told him he was just going to
have to suffer through, and that I'd do my best to make him comfortable
through what I thought would be a few months of itching and scratching.
How wrong I was!!!
Within a few weeks it became obvious that this wasn't just going to be
a minor inconvenience. Within a few week there were literally hundreds
(thousands) of fleas infesting Marty and my house.
When I bathed or combed him, dozens of fleas would fall off and die,
while dozens more hid under his fur, waiting for me to leave so they could
come back out again. I even had to sleep on the couch, fully dressed
from head to toe because the overflow had started to attack me and my ankles
(believe me, I cursed out the little ankle biters on many a night...)
I wouldn't have minded much, except as all this was happening I watched Marty
get weaker and weaker. And the cancer start to get worse and worse.
Because as fleas feed on your dog they suck his blood, and drain away the
red blood cells that keep him strong. Over time, they sucked so much blood
from Marty was he started turning pale and white - and becoming Anemic.
To the point where we seriously considered a blood transfusion to help
maintain his strength.
But by time I realized there was a problem - and finally figured out how to
get rid of the fleas without toxic poisons - it was too late...
In order to have any hope fighting the cancer and shrinking the tumor,
a dogs immune system needs to be strong and healthy. But in his anemic state
Marty had nothing left to fight the cancer.
And within a few days, the tumor was growing out of control, and there was
nothing left to do but to say goodbye - for good.
So with flea season coming up, if your dog has cancer DO be afraid...
be very afraid...
But more importantly, take action.
Here's what you CAN do...
>>> First - Do what you can to avoid fleas. If possible, keep your dog out of
infested areas. Use natural citronella and other essential oil based
natural treatments that help repel fleas. Give him baths with natural
(non-toxic) flea repellent shampoo. Use a flea combs and check him frequently
to make sure no fleas have begun hiding in his fur.
With cancer, your dog is a target for the fleas, so do what you can
to keep them away.
>>> Second - If your dog DOES get fleas, ACT QUICKLY to get rid of them.
A flea problem can take several WEEKS to eliminate.
So if you ignore the problem, even for a little while, you risk a major
flea infestation that could take away all that you and your dog have been
fighting for.
While you can TRY some of the natural flea remedies out there, for Marty and me
ONLY ONE actually worked. And I highly highly highly that you use it too.
It's a company called "FleaBusters" and you can find them online at
www.fleabuster.com.
Fleabusters comes to your house and applies a natural powder that's safe for
your dog and that's GUARANTEED to get rid of fleas and keep them gone for
1 full year. They charge based on the size of your house, but their prices
are fair and pretty reasonable compared to what you'd pay for a year's worth
of traditional flea medicines (especially if you have more than 1 dog).
You can also buy the powder online and apply it yourself, but I recommend
the professional installation if you want to make sure the job gets done right.
Here's a warning though - Fleabusters is AMAZING at killing adult fleas,
and the eggs that fleas lay, but NOTHING can kill the hard shelled larvae
during that part of the flea's life cycle. So even after the powder has been
applied it still take ABOUT 3 WEEKS before all of the fleas are gone.
You'll get SOME relief almost immediately, but more and more adult fleas
will continue to hatch until they've all cycled through.
So get started as soon as possible. Or better still, call for an appointment
NOW, BEFORE your dog gets fleas - to make sure he's safe and protected
for 1 full year.
(Believe me, I don't get a penny from the folks at Fleabusters -
I just recommend them because their service is that good.)
>>> Third - Another "medicine" that Marty's vet recommends is called
"The Program." It's safe for dogs - even cancer dogs - and while it doesn't
actually kill the fleas that are already on your dog, it does "break the cycle"
and prevents fleas from reproducing. This is an excellent "preventative measure"
that you can use if the fleas are not already too bad...
You can get The Program online or at most vet offices.
and
>>> Fourth - another "medicine" that can be very helpful - especially in an
emergency - is a product called "CapStar." Years ago, CapStar was the
primary remedy used to fight fleas - and it IS safe for dogs with cancer.
The good thing about CapStar is that it starts to work almost instantly -
EVERY flea on your dog will be dead within a few hours... The bad news
is that Capstar ONLY kills the live adult fleas, and does absolutely NOTHING
against the eggs and larvae... So within a few days the next wave of fleas
will return and you'll be right back where you started.
That's why CapStar is best for emergency use only and should only be used
in conjunction with Fleabusters or the Program if you want the fleas
to disappear for good.
Because Capstar is not commonly used today, this product can be very hard
to find... You should be able to find it online, and I was able to drive
to the ONLY vet office in my hometown of Portland, Oregon that actually
stocked the product. But if you're dog is struggling and needs relief
right away, it's well worth the effort to find. (According to the label,
you can use it on your dog as frequently as every 48 hours. When I used it
on Marty, it did seem drain him a bit - but it was still better than
what the fleas were doing to him at the time.)
Remember, when your dog has cancer, little things - like fleas - become
critical. And you'd better act fast (and know what you're doing) if you
want to have a chance.
With flea season coming on, I hope this information helps. Hopefully it will
help your dog make it through this flea season, and the next..., and the next...,
and the...
I wish you and your dog all the best. Please let me know if there is
ever anything else I can do to help.
Sincerely,
Ted Schneck
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- ALSO -
The Following Flea-Fighting Information is from...
http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/pets/fleaactivity/97006 and http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/pets/articles/d28
[NOTE: Comments in Brackets reflect my comments/changes
to the original text]
The flea is a hardy insect with a lifespan of six to 12 months. During that time, a pair of fleas could produce millions of offspring. Fleas have survived millions of years in a variety of environments. Some species can leap 15 to 36 inches high. That's equivalent to a man jumping over the 555-foot Washington Monument.
All that may be admirable, but fleas on your pet or in your household aren't. Fleas can cause reactions in your pet varying from a mild skin irritation to a severe allergic reaction. Because fleas feed on blood, an extreme infestation can cause anemia or even death in animals. All cats and dogs, and other mammals, too, are susceptible to flea infestations, except for some that live in high elevations or in extremely dry environments.
Whether or not you actually see fleas on your pet, they may be there. Scratching, scabs and dark specs, or "flea dirt," found on the skin can all be signs that your pet has become the unwitting host for a family of fleas. Fleas can carry tapeworms, too. If you notice small white rice-like things in your pet's feces or in the hair around his anus, your pet probably has tapeworms, which means he may also have fleas. In extreme cases, an animal may be lethargic and its lips and gums pale.
To battle flea infestation requires patience and perseverance, so put on your armor and get to it! Because the life cycle of a flea is three to four weeks, it will take at least that long to completely rid your pet and its environment of the enemy. Different flea control products work in different ways, have varying levels of effectiveness and kill different flea stages (eggs, larvae and/or adults). You'll need to use a combination of products at the same time to be effective.
To battle flea infestation requires patience and perseverance, so put on your armor and get to it! Because the life cycle of a flea is three to four weeks, it will take at least that long to completely rid your pet and its environment of the enemy. Different flea control products work in different ways, have varying levels of effectiveness and kill different flea stages (eggs, larvae and/or adults). You'll need to use a combination of products at the same time to be effective.
Dips, shampoos, powders and sprays will usually kill the adult fleas on your pet. Using a flea comb regularly will help, too. But more adults may be lurking in your home or yard, and eggs or larvae may be lying in wait, as well. You'll need to rid your house of fleas by vacuuming and washing your pet's bedding once a week, and using a disinfectant on washable surfaces [WARNING: BE CAREFUL USING CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS SINCE THEY MAY WEAKEN YOUR CANCER DOG’S IMMUNE SYSTEM] and XXXXXXXX [WARNING: DO NOT USE CHEMICAL INSECTICIDES OR FOGGERS SINCE THEIR CHEMICALS WILL INTERFERE WITH YOUR DOG’S ABILITY TO FIGHT THE CANCER]. Always check with your veterinarian before beginning your war on fleas. Even if you purchase an over-the-counter product, it's wise to consult your veterinarian for any safety concerns. To assist you with clearing your home of fleas, you may want to consider hiring a professional XXX [NATURAL COMPANY LIKE “FLEABUSTERS” – DO NOT USE CHEMICAL PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS/COMPANIES IN YOUR COMPANY IF YOUR DOG HAS CANCER] (in which case, your veterinarian may be able to recommend one in your area).
If yours is an outside pet, you'll need to tackle the yard, too. Sunlight kills fleas, so concentrate your efforts in the shady areas of your yard especially. You can XXX [BEWARE: DO NOT USE PESTICIDES IN AREAS WHERE YOUR DOG WILL BE, SINCE THEY WILL UNDERMINE YOUR DOG’S ABILITY TO FIGHT THE CANCER], or you can battle fleas with their natural enemy, nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic worms that kill flea larvae and cocoons. Apply them to your yard once a month until the fleas are gone. Check with your veterinarian or your pet supply or garden stores to find out more.
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This information is provided for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian. It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's care and concerns, symptoms or medical condition.
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For more valuable dog cancer fighting tips and information -
consider downloading the complete Curing Canine Cancer book.
It's got over 200 pages of dog cancer research, lessons, and
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Please, For the life of your dog, I encourage you to give it a try.
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- Ted and Marty
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