WALLY ASHCROFT'S WONDER OF PETS

WE have just enjoyed a very hot Summer and, combined with a few downpours of rain, the problem of dog fleas intensifies.

Although at their worst during the hot weather, fleas are now an all-year-round problem. Central heating and fitted carpets ensure that the flea has a perfect environment in which to flourish. Gone are the draughty houses and cold, lino-covered floors that used to decimate the flea population during winter. We just can't win can we?

Dog fleas are tiny brown insects whch scurry across the surface of the skin. They can be seen by the naked eye although I have to confess that with advancing years I now need the aid of spectacles. They only spend a small part of the day on the dog. Just long enough to have a meal of blood and then they leave.

If your dog is scratching quite a lot it is a good indication that he is infested, particularly if he is scratching in more than one spot. When you suspect that your dog may have fleas and you can't see any, then look for the presence of flea dirt. These can be identified as small black dots about the size of grains of salt. To make sure that they are flea droppings scrape some on to a piece of damp newspaper. A red-brown stain will form around them because they are, in fact, formed from congealed blood.

Fleas spend their time around the house living in the pile of the carpet, or on the furniture or even between the floorboards. They can be found anywhere the dog goes. It is in these places that the female will lay her eggs.

Consequently, for the successful control of fleas it is not enough just to treat the dog, the whole environment must be treated. There are many treatments available in the form of sprays, powders, shampoos, flea collars, food additives and drops to put on the back of the dog's neck. You would wonder how they could ever survive this onslaught, but they do. Whatever method you choose please make sure you follow the instructions on the packet very carefully. When you use a spray be careful not to apply too much otherwise there is a risk of poisoning your dog. A little and often is the answer. The hair should be brushed against the natural lie of the coat. A medium-size dog should be given about a six-second burst from a distance of six to eight inches. Avoid the eyes, nose and mouth areas and keep a firm grip on him as sometimes the hiss of an aerosol may make him jump.

Insecticidal powder should be thoroughly applied and rubbed well into the coat. It should be left for about 30 minutes and then brushed out. Prevent your dog from licking his fur. You can distract his attention by feeding him or taking him for a walk.

Insecticidal shampoos which are rinsed off are useful but are not as powerful as sprays or powders. They are mainly used prior to applying a spray or powder.

Flea collars are better used when your dog is free of fleas to prevent further infection. The collars are sealed up and before you put it around the dog's neck the seal should be broken and the collar put on one side for about 15 minutes to let the toxic gases escape. This prevents causing a rash around the neck of a dog with sensitive skin.

Never put a flea collar on a dog after you have applied a powder or spray. You need to wait for about two weeks. Food additives give off an odour through the dog's skin which is repellant to fleas, as do some of the drops which are applied to the back of the neck.

Treatment around the home is also advised and this is achieved by using special insecticidal powders which can be vacuumed off after an hour or so. Once you have thoroughly treated the dog and the house it will still be necessary to repeat the process about a fortnight later to kill any fleas which have hatched out since the previous treatment.

Puppies under 12 weeks should not be treated with any insecticide. The only way of getting rid of any fleas is by using a herbal treatment which will repel the fleas, or by combing them out with a fine-tooth flea comb.

By Wally Ashcroft, owner of the Pets Emporium, College Street, and Sutton Corn Stores, Junction Lane, Sutton, St Helens.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.