Atlanta Veterinary Clinic
Walter E. Bungard, DVM
11979 County Road 487 Atlanta MI 49709
989-785-3521
Walter E. Bungard, DVM
11979 County Road 487 Atlanta MI 49709
989-785-3521
Client Education
Flea Bite Allergycompiled and submitted by Luanne Bungard
Flea-bite allergies result from hypersensitivity to flea saliva. In an allergic dog, the bite of a single flea may cause a serious problem.
Extensive skin damage may result from the dog or cat’s biting, licking and scratching. Although flea-bite allergy can be treated, it often recurs because flea eggs may hatch up to one year after being deposited in the environment and most of the flea’s life cycle occurs off the pet. The pet’s environment may be contaminated with fleas and even an occasional flea bite can trigger the allergic reaction.
Flea allergies are most troublesome in the summer and fall in areas with cold winters and warm summers. In heated, flea-infested homes flea allergy may occur throughout the year.
The main signs of flea allergy are excessive hair loss and severe scratching and biting. Skin sores may develop primarily around the base of the tail, in the middle of the back and on the abdomen. Skin infections are common. Flea allergies usually worsen as animals age.
Treatment includes flea control on the pet and in the environment and suppression of the allergic reaction.
Treat your pet:
1. Bathe your pet and use a topical insecticide (be sure to follow all label directions carefully). We have the once per month medications for fleas as well as pet spray.
Treat the Environment:
1. Thoroughly vacuum all carpets, chairs, sofas, baseboards and under all furniture. Discard the vacuum bag. Wash floors with soap and water and replace your pet’s bedding or wash in hot water.
2. Use a house spray that contains a growth inhibitor for treatment of your home including your pet’s bedding and hard-to-reach areas like under sofas and beds.
3. You may also need to treat your yard at least once
Although pupae (cocoons) account for only 10% of the total flea population, they can account for 100% of the flea problem after the initial treatment of your home and pet! That’s because adult fleas continue to emerge from the pupae for 2-4 weeks, sometimes longer. Your initial treatment of your home and pet will kill these newly emerged adult fleas. However, since these adults continue to hatch over a 2-4week period (sometimes longer), you will need to re-treat every three weeks for a total of three treatments.
Your pet may pick up adult fleas outdoors at any time. Check your pet for adult fleas and re-treat as needed. Since adult fleas will jump off your pet after feeding and live in your house, an easy way to check for infestation is to stand your pet on a white bed sheet and rub/scratch your pet vigorously. Small black specks that fall onto the bed sheet are flea manure.
Extensive skin damage may result from the dog or cat’s biting, licking and scratching. Although flea-bite allergy can be treated, it often recurs because flea eggs may hatch up to one year after being deposited in the environment and most of the flea’s life cycle occurs off the pet. The pet’s environment may be contaminated with fleas and even an occasional flea bite can trigger the allergic reaction.
Flea allergies are most troublesome in the summer and fall in areas with cold winters and warm summers. In heated, flea-infested homes flea allergy may occur throughout the year.
The main signs of flea allergy are excessive hair loss and severe scratching and biting. Skin sores may develop primarily around the base of the tail, in the middle of the back and on the abdomen. Skin infections are common. Flea allergies usually worsen as animals age.
Treatment includes flea control on the pet and in the environment and suppression of the allergic reaction.
Treat your pet:
1. Bathe your pet and use a topical insecticide (be sure to follow all label directions carefully). We have the once per month medications for fleas as well as pet spray.
Treat the Environment:
1. Thoroughly vacuum all carpets, chairs, sofas, baseboards and under all furniture. Discard the vacuum bag. Wash floors with soap and water and replace your pet’s bedding or wash in hot water.
2. Use a house spray that contains a growth inhibitor for treatment of your home including your pet’s bedding and hard-to-reach areas like under sofas and beds.
3. You may also need to treat your yard at least once
Although pupae (cocoons) account for only 10% of the total flea population, they can account for 100% of the flea problem after the initial treatment of your home and pet! That’s because adult fleas continue to emerge from the pupae for 2-4 weeks, sometimes longer. Your initial treatment of your home and pet will kill these newly emerged adult fleas. However, since these adults continue to hatch over a 2-4week period (sometimes longer), you will need to re-treat every three weeks for a total of three treatments.
Your pet may pick up adult fleas outdoors at any time. Check your pet for adult fleas and re-treat as needed. Since adult fleas will jump off your pet after feeding and live in your house, an easy way to check for infestation is to stand your pet on a white bed sheet and rub/scratch your pet vigorously. Small black specks that fall onto the bed sheet are flea manure.
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Heat Strokecompiled and submitted by Luanne Bungard
The combination of high temperature, humidity and poor ventilation can be fatal to dogs and cats. Dogs and cats do not sweat as people do, thus the cooling benefits of water evaporation from the skin are not available to them. Panting and radiation of heat from the skin surface are their main means of controlling body temperature and if the air temperature and humidity are high and air circulation is reduced, these protective mechanisms are inadequate. Body temperature can then increase dramatically resulting in collapse and severe shock. Animals not treated promptly may die.
Dogs with a short or flattened nose like Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese and Boxers are especially susceptible to heat stroke because their restricted breathing does not allow enough air exchange for rapid heat loss.
During hot, humid weather provide your pet with adequate ventilation, protection from the sun and cool, fresh water. In addition, limit your pet’s exercise during these periods, just as you would yourself.
Never leave your pet in the car during hot weather. Even with the windows partially down, temperatures can increase to life threatening levels within just a short period of time.
Dogs with a short or flattened nose like Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese and Boxers are especially susceptible to heat stroke because their restricted breathing does not allow enough air exchange for rapid heat loss.
During hot, humid weather provide your pet with adequate ventilation, protection from the sun and cool, fresh water. In addition, limit your pet’s exercise during these periods, just as you would yourself.
Never leave your pet in the car during hot weather. Even with the windows partially down, temperatures can increase to life threatening levels within just a short period of time.
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Heartworm DiseaseHeartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitis. This parasite lives in the right side of the dog’s heart and the nearby pulmonary arteries. The female worm produces large numbers of microscopic, immature heartworms that circulate in the blood. These immature worms, or microfilariae, are taken up with the blood by a mosquito feeding on an infected dog. After living in the mosquito for 10-14 days, the microfilariae can then infect another dog that the mosquito feeds on. The feeding mosquito deposits infective microfilariae into the skin of another dog, and these enter the body through the mosquito bite would. The microfilariae eventually travel to the heart where they develop into adult heartworms. The adult heartworms produce new microfilariae within three months. It takes approximately 190 days from the time the dog is bitten by an infected mosquito until the dog becomes a new source of infective microfilariae.
Most cases of heartworm are diagnosed by finding the microfilariae in the blood by doing an occult heartworm test. Sometimes other blood tests and x-rays may be recommended.
It is recommended that you have your canine companion tested for heartworm once per year and keep your pet on preventive year round.
Alaska was the only state not to have heartworm reported last year. Michigan had over 500 cases reported. We found eight cases of heartworm in our area. Two in Lewiston, three in Atlanta, two in Hillman and one in Fairview.
The adult heartworm is not a tiny thing. It is a worm that is a foot long and lives in the heart of the pet. Every time the heart pumps this worm slams against the walls of the heart, damaging it.
Failure to treat heartworm disease may result in heart failure and serious disease of the liver and kidneys. Untreated heartworm is usually fatal.
Luckily for our canine companions, and us, preventative is relatively inexpensive and easy to administer. There are several different products available for preventing heartworm. The products range from heartworm preventative only to combination medications, which also treat fleas, mange, ear mites and intestinal parasites.
Heartworm preventatives must not be given to dogs harboring microfilariae. Your dog must be tested before starting the preventative and then tested once per year to ensure your pet remains microfilariae free.
Weigh your dog monthly during the treatment period. A change in your pet’s weight may require a change in dosage, especially for a growing pup. It is very important you not skip doses, as heartworm preventative must be given on the prescribed schedule to be effective.
Heartworm can also occur in cats. For owners concerned about their feline friends, testing and preventative is also available.
