The dirty truth about fleas

(ARA) – When fleas are spotted in the home, it’s our pets that take the blame. But did you know that for every flea you see, there could be a much bigger problem hiding in the bedding, carpets, furniture and floorboards of your home? The truth is, flea eggs, maggot-like larvae and pupae represent 95 percent of a flea infestation, and they thrive not on your pet, but in the places your pet likes to snuggle – on the couch, under the porch, even in your bed.

A problem waiting to hatch
Within as little as eight weeks, just two fleas can produce up to 2,000 eggs. Your pet shakes these tiny white specs off himself and into your home where they quickly develop into maggot-like larvae and spin silken cocoons, becoming pupae. In their pupae stage, fleas can lay dormant for up to a year waiting for the right conditions to hatch into adults. That means, as long as you have eggs, larvae and pupae hiding in your home, you’re always at risk for a sudden, itchy infestation. Consider these uncomfortable facts from SentinelPet.com:

* The adult fleas a pet owner sees represent only 5 percent of the flea population. The other 95 percent – eggs, maggot-like larvae and pupae – hide in your home.

* A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day.

* Eggs hatch into maggot-like larvae in two to four days.

* Larvae are repelled by light and burrow into the fibers, cracks and crevasses of your home.

* In their cocoon stage, fleas can lie dormant in your home for up to a year.

Why infestations thrive
Most flea products only treat adult fleas. The eggs, larvae and pupae are allowed to thrive in your home, hatching into repeated adult infestations. Not only do many products fail to prevent an infestation, they also leave a sticky residue on your pet that can wash away, or rub off onto furniture, carpets and even children. To truly prevent an infestation, you must break the flea life cycle. And that means killing flea eggs and larvae before they become adults.

Break the cycle
The way to prevent a flea infestation is to rid your home of developing flea populations. That means making sure those flea eggs never develop into nasty maggot-like larvae. Many veterinarians prescribe an insect growth regulator to stop flea eggs from hatching. When female fleas feed on your pet’s blood, they’ll pass on potent killing power to their eggs and any existing larvae that feed on excreted blood. Products like SENTINEL (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron) Flavor Tabs even combine flea prevention with heartworm and internal parasite protection in one monthly tablet.

Before peak flea season hits, talk to your veterinarian about making sure your home isn’t playing host to a vicious flea infestation cycle. To locate a veterinarian or get more information on protecting your pet and family from parasites, visit www.SentinelPet.com.

Dogs must be tested for heartworm prior to use. In a small percentage of treated dogs, digestive, neurologic, and skin side effects may occur. Please see full product insert for more information.

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Just in time for the holidays, here’s a line of products for the discerning dog owner: Pet Head™ by Bed Head® from TIGI.

Pet Head’s line of grooming products includes shampoos, crème rinses and sprays. From “Dirty Talk” shampoo to “So Spoiled” conditioning crème rinse, Pet Head will have Fido or Fluffy smelling sweet and looking stylish in no time. (Pet Head also features K-9 clothing, trendy accessories, fun toys and fashionable carriers, with collections titles “City Soul,” “Punk Princess,” “Biker” and “Grungy Pop”.)

Pet Head’s line of shampoos, crème rinses and sprays are made with ingredients specially formulated to pamper and indulge, and all Pet Head ™ formulas are pH adjusted and free of parabens, petroleum derivatives, propylene glycol, sulfate and DEA.

The product line includes:
Life’s An Itch- skin soothing shampoo
Dirty Talk- deodorizing shampoo
Fears for Tears- tearless shampoo
Quickie- quick rinsing shampoo
Feeling Flaky- dry & sensitive skin shampoo
Dry Clean- waterless spray shampoo
Furtastic- crème rinse for curly and long coats
So Spoiled- conditioning crème rinse
Furball- detangling spray
Poof!- magical deodorizing spray

Buy direct here, or find a local retailer here.

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Two years ago today, my husband and I rescued Greta, and our lives have never been the same since. Sure, it was hard in the beginning–after all, she was a puppy with no experiences outside of living in a wire crate 23 hours a day.

Slowly, she learned how to relax and live in a home. Although she readily accepted me as her Alpha, it took her a bit longer to understand the hierarchy of the home (me, husband, cats, her).

Now, she fits right in and not a day goes by that she doesn’t make me laugh due to her silly antics.

This year, I decided to commemorate our anniversary with a cute photo frame I found online at Pearhead.com.

The frame is called Pawprints, and it allows pet owners to create an impression of their pet’s paw, which is displayed on one side of the frame, with a photo on the other.

Pawprints includes everything necessary for assembly, including an elegant pine shadow-box frame, acid-free picture mats, acid-free background boards, non-toxic/air-drying impression material, a wooden rolling pin, shaping ruler and double-sided tape.

Mine should be here any day. Get yours here.

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I am shocked and saddened by the story of Chai, a 10-year-old lab mix, and his owner, Daniel Rechelbacher, who is not only trying to make a better life for his dog, but also hold a corporation accountable for a serious, grievous and potentially deadly wrongdoing. 

I’ve excerpted the story from Daniel’s blog, in the hopes that not only will other dog owners avoid such a devastating incident, but also that more people will join in the fight against Four Paws:

“On Sunday, June 22, 2008, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws Inc, produces. The toy I’m referencing is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)

While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with my vet, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. I became aware of this when Chai approached a friend at my home whimpering withthe ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.

Chai was taken to the Animal Medical Center (an emergency care facility in New York City) and was treated by Dr. Nicole Spurlock to have the ball removed. Because the size of the opening on the ball was so small, all circulation to his tongue was cut off. The doctors had to sedate him in order to remove it. Once the ball was removed, his tongue swelled to the point that he could no longer put it in his mouth. Chai was sent home with care instructions and to be observed overnight for any changes.

By the following morning Chai’s tongue had swollen even more.

He was taken to his regular vet, Dr. Timnah Lee, for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they were treating his wounds and waiting to determine how much of his tongue could be saved. On June 26, 2008 Chai had his tongue amputated.

He was kept in after-care for an additional three days. On Sunday June 29th I brought Chai home from the vet witha barrage of home care instructions, to last for an additional 7 days. His next visit was to have his mouth re-examined and have the feeding tube in his neck removed.”

When Daniel stopped at Petland Discount, where he purchased the offensive product, the manager met Chai and immediately removed all of the balls in question from the shelves. (He also gave Daniel the customer service number to their corporate headquarters to request that they refuse to continue purchasing all Four Paws products.)

Daniel’s veterinary bills have surpassed $5,000, and Chai now requires a much more expensive form of food because of this injury, averaging approximately $200 per month. Daniel has also been impacted career wise, as he lost a great deal of business during Chai’s after care. In addition, there have been two other documented incidents similar, one in which the dog died as a result of the injuries.

Daniel is not only taking on Four Paws in court (you go, Daniel!). In addition, Daniel’s story and efforts have already resulted in the recall of products (although the company is not doing much to notify the public at large). 

Keep up to date on Chai’s progress and Daniel’s court case here. And thanks, Daniel, for being the dangerous dog toy watch dog.

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One of my husband’s biggest issues with getting a dog was the fact that said dog would inevitably “burn” our back yard when it went potty.

Urine contains excess nitrogen resulting from the natural metabolism of protein in the body. And dogs, especially females, urinate anywhere and usually all at once, often causing dead brown patches or lawn burn.

So I did some research and found that there are many products available to fight the burn.

Among the products is Nutri-Vet Grass Guard, which neutralizes the potential for high pH (alkaline) urine that can damage grass. It’s available in a wafer and a soft chew.

Luckily, because I’m home with our dog all day, most of the time I can take her on a walk to go to the bathroom, so I have the ability to ensure she’s not marking the same spots over and over. And when she does, I simply dilute the area with water from our hose.

For those who aren’t home to monitor potty breaks all day, especially those who have doggie doors that allow pooches to relieve themselves whenever they wantto, Nutri-Vet Grass Guard should help keep lawns in the green.

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When people say fashion has gone to the dogs, they are right on the money, as August 23 and 24 is New York Pet Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building, 125-135 West 18th Steet in New York City.

The show’s mission is to create an inspiring and unique tradeshow venue for national and international pet lifestyle exhibitors and buyers.

The following product categories are represented:

• Fashion, Jewelry and Accessories
• Collars and Leashes
• Toys
• Foods and Treats
• Bedding
• Fragrances
• Grooming Products
• Health Products
• Specialty Items

Pet Fashion Week is not only a trade show but also a designer platform. The designer platform objective is to nurture the development of new ideas and innovation in the pet industry and features multiple design awards, special events and runway shows. The show provides a high-profile environment in which upcoming designers are being presented alongside established ones in front of a high concentration of international media and buyers.

Those of you in the area planning to attend the show, take note–I am jealous!

For more information, click here.

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If you’re like me, you probably wonder just what your dog does all day when you’re not around. Sure, the evidence is probably waiting for you when you get home–a chewed up magazine or book, a pillow or blanket pulled to the floor. But between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (or whenever you’re away), surely there’s more going on than meets the eye.

That’s where the Panasonic PetCam comes in to play.

Panasonic Network Cameras allow you to watch via a secure browser window on your desktop, laptop, PDA or cell phone, so you can see what your pet does when you’re not around.

Easy installation allows PetCam to be placed anywhere in your home, automatically detected by your home network and viewed on your PC without any additional software. A camera specific URL lets you view and operate the camera from any location on a PC or compatible cell phone from work, while on vacation or just out on the go.

The cameras are relatively cheap (the model above runs about $85), and allow for peace of mind, or at least the ability to solve the mystery of how the dog manages to turn on the TV when you’re not home. 

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The next time I’m in Healdsburg, Calif., I am making a point to stop by Mutt Lynch Winery.

Owners Brenda and Chris Lynch started the winery in 1995, and as if their company name isn’t enough, they also care for Patch, a rescue ex-racing Greyhound from New Zealand.

Mutt Lynch Winery sources its grapes from several vineyards that neighbor their winery in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County:

• Perotti Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley (owned by Bruce and Ed Perotti) produces varietals for the Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah.
• Unti Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley (owned by George Unti) produces varietals for the Syrah, and Petite Sirah.
• Stryker Estate Vineyard in Alexander Valley (owned by Pat Stryker) produces varietals for the Merlot.
• Stone Vineyard in Alexander Valley (owned by Jim Furlong) produces varietals for the Carignane.

I already have my eye on this wine, and not just because the bottle label is so darn cute!

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And since I’m always looking for artistic ways to incorporate my pets into my decor, I’m thrilled to find two companies that make animal nightlights.

The first, PetNightLights.com, allows users to create night lights out of photos of their pets for a mere $19.95 plus shipping and handling.

The night lights measure 3.5″ W x 5.5″ H, and the live image area is 2.5″ W x 3.5″ H. You can create your night light horizontal or vertical. Frames are available in black only. The night light bulb is 4 watts and is included.

(Sample courtesy of PetNightLights.com)

If abstract is more your thing, KyleDesigns.com features stained glass night lights. Designs include three dogs with bones, and two dogs by a bone tree. The night lights are lit by a toggle switch or automatically when the room is dark, offering unique looks day and night.

The example below is priced at $27.95 and offers a choice of metal finish, design, base option and glass color for personalized dog night lights that match any decor. Night light base options are black, white or ivory toggle on/off base; white automatic base that comes on when dark; or white rotating base for outlets mounted upside down or sideways. Metal finishes include choice of polished silver, polished gold, antique brushed nickel silver or antique brushed brass non-tarnish etched metals.

(The night light shown, courtesy of KyleDesigns.com, is in antique brass with purple glass.)

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In honor of Milk-Bone’s 100th anniversary, they are holding a Milk-Bone Moment contest, the winner of which could receive a new digital camera or a $100k contract as the new Milk-Bone SpokesDog.

There is no purchase necessary to win, and the contest ends September 18, 2008 at 11:59:59 PM CT.

To enter and be eligible to win, you must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or Washington, D.C., be 18 years of age or older, have a valid email address, and be the legal owner of a dog.

Between September 25, 2008 and October 18, 2008, the judging of all eligible entries received will be conducted to determine the top 100 eligible entries received (“Finalists”), and all eligible entries received will be posted on the Web Site for public viewing. The Finalists will be notified beginning on or about October 19, 2008 and their entries will be featured on the Web Site for voting. Voting will occur from October 19, 2008 at 12:00:00 AM CT to November 18, 2008 at 11:59:59 PM CT.

Click here to enter now.

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