Critters on the Trail

Kyoto: Hiking from Kibune to Kurama

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If you've ever had a flea bite, you know they make mosquito bites seem pleasant by comparison. If your dog is allergic to their saliva, and many dogs are, fleas can drive the poor animal crazy with intense itching. Flea Allergy Dermatitis is a complicated problem and requires more than an occasional treatment with whatever spray or dust happens to be handy. We want to protect the dog, especially the allergic dog, from scratching his skin raw, tearing his flesh, losing his hair, and setting himself up for even more serious skin problems. If this describes your dog, don't say, "It's just fleas." These dogs need prompt veterinary attention.

There are many flea-control products on the market. Fleas are big money makers for the animal care industry. Ultrasonic collars, vitamin B, and even conventional flea collars are useless in preventing fleas, despite the claims made by manufacturers. So is feeding your dog garlic or brewer's yeast. Some owners laud the benefits of Avon's Skin-So-Soft. It repels fleas, but only for short periods of time (minutes, not days), and it is far inferior to the newer veterinary products mentioned below. Keep in mind that nearly every company making veterinary products or pharmaceuticals has a product they claim to be the latest be-all and end-all in flea control.

The good news is that flea control in the backwoods has become rather simple. The products Frontline (fipronil) and Advantage (imidacloprid) are both safe and effective means of keeping fleas off your dog. They both come in a spot-on form: A small amount of liquid is applied to a single spot on the dog, and in 24 hours the dog is protected. I prefer Frontline for several reasons, the main one being that when my dog heads to the creek for a dip, Frontline is more resistant to immersion in water (including shampoos). Frontline's label claims protection for up to three months against fleas; Advantage's label claims protection for one. (In my experience, expecting Frontline to last three months is pushing it—I apply it every six weeks.) Frontline also has the benefit of keeping ticks off the dog for up to a month. For people with multiple dogs of different sizes, Frontline is available in a more economical spray. Don't forget to read the instructions.

Program (lufenuron), a once-a-month flea control pill, has also been introduced. Program is environmental control—it doesn't kill adult fleas. It's for the dog who stays in the house and the yard. It's not going to help your dog in the backcountry unless every animal in the forest takes it.

Don't use products intended for humans. They often have high concentrations of DEET, which may be toxic to animals. And by all means, stay informed through your veterinarian.