Every summer, many dog and cat owners in Nebraska are plagued by serious and persistent flea infestations. Sometimes even petless families have to deal with fleas after a visit to the pet store or after the kids have played with a neighborhood dog or cat. Flea bites can be mistaken for a rash; each bite […]
Flea control and treating the home

Flea shampoos contain insecticides that vary in their effectiveness. The goal is to get to know how to get rid of fleas that are present on the animal at the time of shampooing. To be effective, the shampoo must stay on the animal for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Only use a product on an animal for which it is labeled. A natural insecticide that is fairly effective D-limonene, a volatile oil from citrus fruits. These safe shampoos are good on kittens and puppies and for homes with infants.
Fleas Morphology

Recent (after Snograss, 1946) studies of flea morphology were devoted to the anatomy and sensory organs of different imago segments. The head anatomy were studied in a number of species of fleas (Wenk, 1953; Amrine and Lewis, 1978; Wachmann, 1972).
The Life Cycle of the Flea

During each of the four stages of the flea life cycle, fleas are resistant to different chemicals. For best results at killing fleas in all stages, use products that contain an insecticide as well as an insect growth regulator, such as the Knockout or Siphotrol sprays available from Entirely Pets.
System of Fleas Study

Introduction to the System PARHOST1 Analytical information system (AIS) on the world flea fauna PARHOST1 has been created in the laboratory of parasitology of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (ZI RAS) for the past four years beginning from 1995.
Getting Rid of Fleas

There are basically three steps to getting rid of fleas:
- Find the best solution on how to get rid of fleas on cats.
- Get rid of fleas in your home, including eggs and larva.
- Continue to treat your pet, to avoid re-infestation.
Analysis of Types of Flea-Host Relations

AIS PARHOST1 permits making a query about statistics of different types of parasite-host relations of taxa of fleas and their hosts. An example of a summarizing table of relations of flea species of different families with species of the Leporidae family is given.
The Infraorders of Siphonaptera

1. Infraorder PULICOMORPHA S.G. Medvedev, 1998 This infraorder includes 5 superfamilies: Pulicoidea Billberg, 1820 (Pulicidae and Tungidae Taschenberg, 1880), Malacopsylloidea Baker, 1905 (Malacopsyllidae and Rhopalopsyllidae Oudemans, 1909), Vermipsylloidea Wagner, 1889 (Vermipsyllidae), Coptopsylloidea Wagner, 1928 (Coptopsyllidae), and Ancistropsylloidea Toumanoff et Fuller, 1947 (Ancistropsyllidae).
Fleas Taxonomy & Phylogeny

The Siphonaptera, or fleas, are one of the major groups of blood-sucking insects. They belong to holometabolic insects, as like as Diptera, Lepidoptera, etc. Fleas form a separate well-differentiated order, although phylogenetically they are regarded to be closer to Diptera and Mecoptera. At present approximately 2000 species and subspecies of fleas are known. Adult fleas […]
Treat the Animal

Lufenuron/Program® (Novartis Animal Health). Complete flea prevention for the entire season is now possible by treating your dog or cat monthly with Program® beginning in early spring, before the flea season starts. For animals that live in kennels or warm climates, year-round treatment may be needed. Program® is formulated as a pill for dogs or […]
The Benefits of Preventative Veterinary Care

Dr. Cruz practices small animal medicine at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital. She is Resident Veterinary Medical Advisor for the TV show “Sightings,” the national cable network show “Help Around the House,” and the Orange County News Channel, on which she hosts a weekly, two-hour live TV program.
Pet Care Tips

Watch Your Driveway! Antifreeze can be deadly to your pet. Even ingesting a small amount can cause your pet to become very ill. Guard your pets health, be sure to clean up any spills quickly.
Treat the Outdoor Environment

Treat dog houses, kennels by cleaning them out thoroughly and/or washing bedding material. Treat dog house, kennels and yard areas with an insecticide containing an insect growth regulator, such as pyriproxyfen. This growth regulator is more photostable than methoprene (Precor) and lasts longer in outdoor environments. Pyriproxyfen is sold under the trade name Archer or […]
Correcting Misbehavior in Cats

Does your cat jump on furniture and the kitchen counter? Regularly claw your new couch? Urinate away from the litter box? You shouldn’t have to put up with it. A few simple behavior modification techniques can help curb your feline’s destructive behavior.
Pick the Right Pet for Your Child

“Mom, can we get a Dalmatian?” Your six-year-old wants a dog. The younger one would rather have a kitten. As a parent, you know that pets can teach children important lessons about responsibility and compassion. But what kind of pet should you get the kids? Is it better to get a puppy or grown dog? […]
In the Spotlight: Presidential Pets

The rather ordinary looking cat pictured here lives at the most famous address in the world. Socks, Chelsea Clinton’s black-and-white cat, currently resides at the White House, the first cat to do so since Amy Carter’s Siamese, Misty Malarky Ying Yang. Here, Socks poses on the South Lawn, a favorite spot.
Interview with Dr. Powers

Meet… Helen T. Powers, DVM Dr. Powers is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, with a practice in Northern California. With a special interest in feline dermatology, Dr. Powers says that she is inspired in her work by the two cats who share her home, Pedro and Cheetah.
Traveling with Pets

Traveling with Pets: Making it Easy Summer means vacation time to most people. But whether it’s a week at the beach, touring a theme park or visiting relatives, for pet owners, vacations invariably mean extra planning and arrangements. Do you take your pet? Leave it at home with a friend or sitter? Board at a […]
Heuristic Inquiries in the PARHOST1

The PARHOST1 system permits analysing large amounts of data, in particular distribution patterns of the world’s flea fauna represented by 2000 species. The PARHOST1 system permits analysing distribution patterns and parasite-host relations of separate flea taxa and their interaction in various aspects.