Using Flea Medications Safely: Height five Tips for Pet Parents

Fleas can be a nuisance all yr round, just they become most active during the warm summer months. And although at that place are a number of medications you tin use to take the "bite" out of flea flavor, it'due south important to notation that not all flea treatments are created equal—in fact, some can do much more impairment than good! Thankfully, the ASPCA Animate being Poisonous substance Control Center (APCC) has come upward with a handy guide to help you apply flea medications correctly and go on your pets condom all year long.

  1. Always read all of the labeled data before applying medications to your pet.
    Ask yourself these questions:
    • Is my pet the right historic period for this product? Many flea medications are non labeled for use in puppies or kittens less than six months of age.
    • Practise I have the right medication for my species of pet? We can see potentially fatal reactions with some dog flea medications when they are practical to cats.
    • Am I going to apply this in the right way? Should this be applied to the pare or given by oral cavity?
    • Is at that place a health reason that my pet should not have this medication? Always consult with your veterinarian if your pet has any existing health conditions or if they are nursing or pregnant to ensure that the flea medications will be prophylactic.
    • If you have both a true cat and a dog, talk to your vet to make certain that the flea medications that you lot are using for your dog are rubber to apply around your cat.
  2. Never utilise multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to practice and then past your veterinarian.
    • Fleas tin can exist a very frustrating problem, and some medications may non produce immediate effects.
    • While some flea medications work in different ways and tin be used together, many are in the same class of medications, which can lead to a buildup of toxic levels.
  3. Brand sure that your veterinarian is your primary source for data near flea medications, not the Net.
    • There are many Net rumors nigh how to command fleas, and some of them are not condom.
    • Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and garlic (Allium sativum) are commonly recommended to treat or prevent fleas, simply can cause serious and potentially life threatening signs in pets, depending on how they are used.
    • If you want to use alternative flea control or prevention, make sure that you speak with your vet first to see what they recommend and how to use information technology most effectively.
  4. Always brand certain that you double check everything before you administrate flea medications to your pet.
    • Many homes take multiple pets and you may be getting out several different flea medications when it is time to care for all of the pets in the domicile.
    • Have a moment earlier administer each 1 of the medications to ensure that you have the right one for the right pet.
  5. What should I do if I have concerns or if something happens?
    • Accidents tin can and practise happen, even when you are careful!
    • If you accidentally get a topical medications in the pet's eye, first rinse the eye with a sterile centre irrigation solution or room temperature milk. Adjacent, contact your veterinarian or the APCC for boosted steps to take and signs to monitor.
    • If your pet happens to lick the topical flea medication, requite them a pocket-sized amount of their nutrient to help salve the bad taste. Side by side, contact your veterinarian or the APCC for additional steps to accept and signs to monitor for.
    • If you utilise a dog flea medication to a cat and the cat starts to have uncontrollable shaking, convulsions, or seizures, take them immediately to a veterinary infirmary. This can take up to 48 hours to occur. If you lot realize that you have put a canis familiaris flea medication on your cat and they aren't showing any signs yet, contact a local veterinary or the APCC immediately.

The APCC is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency—24 hours a solar day, 365 days a twelvemonth. If you call up that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, phone call your veterinarian or the APCC at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

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