Using Heartgard to Prevent Fleas from Affecting Dogs
Of the ailments that can cause irritation to dogs, among the most pervasive are the fleas. Heartgard can help prevent fleas from appearing, but you need to be aware of some facts concerning these pests to conduct the proper countermeasures.
Before administering any Heartgard product to combat fleas and heartworms, you should be aware of the symptoms, so that you will know if your dog has them already. The most common trait is incessant scratching. Although scratching can be considered somewhat an activity that all dogs engage in, in this case it will be quite excessive and the hair will fall off, and in some instances the skin will get quite thick and coarse.
Aside from using Heartgard to eliminate fleas from your dog, you can take other steps to prevent it from appearing in the first place. Use a product with borates on your carpets and rugs, as this ingredient can destroy the larvae eggs and moisture necessary for these creatures to grow. You can also use lufenuron, which works directly on the eggs themselves.
While using Heartgard can be a very potent weapon you should do your part in hunting them down yourself. By eliminating the source you won’t have to keep repeating the treatment. Places where these creatures abound include wood, shrubs, fallen leaves and garbage. Keep your garden and backyard clean, as well as the places where your dog goes.
If you like you can hire professionals to clean your backyard, to make sure that there are no fleas in there but you should only do that if you do not have the time, or the number of fleas there are too numerous. Otherwise, it is perfectly possible to do the cleaning up yourself.
Giving your dog a bath on a regular basis is also an effective way to prevent fleas from getting to them. Before using Heartgard, you should consult a vet and make sure that traces of the ailment are not present. By having it treated, the efficiency of the product will be more felt, as it will prevent any from appearing again.
Before using Heartgard, have your pet examined by a vet so that you will know if it has any history of illness or allergies. Some breeds, like collies, need to be given limited doses of the medicine. Also, to prevent heartworms and fleas from appearing, the use of the product must be continuous.
Fleas can be a source of great irritation for both dogs and owners. However, if you use Heartgard on your pets and maintain a clean environment, you will be able to reduce or eliminate this threat thoroughly.
Tags: Pet Medicine, Heart Worms, Heartgard, K9, Pet