RASCAL Unit

RASCAL Unit

RASCAL

Affordable, quality veterinary care for your pet.

Make Fleas Flee!

Did you get a handout at one of our clinics? Call our office at 614 791 7729 to ask about getting these products for your pet. You can also e-mail questions@rascalunit.com.

Get rid of fleas safely and effectively (…and $ave money too!)

Q: How do I know if my pet has fleas?

A: Fleas are little black bugs that live on your pet and cause them (and you!) to itch like crazy. If your pet has a bad enough infestation, you will see them jumping around or crawling. Sometimes you won’t see any without brushing or combing them. If you pick up lots of little black spots in the comb (called flea dirt, which is actually flea poop) you know your pet has fleas. Your pet can also be showing signs of redness on his or her skin, fur loss, active infection, or constant scratching. These are most likely all signs of fleas and require immediate attention before the problem becomes worse.

Q: My pet has fleas. What can I do about it?

A: The best thing to do is to visit your veterinarian. Your pet’s doctor will check them for a skin infection or other side effects from having fleas. If you are unable to get your pet to a veterinarian, here are some things you can do to safely and effectively take care of the flea problem in your home.

1. Get your pet on SAFE flea prevention. We do NOT recommend flea collars, dips, or powders as they are usually ineffective and can be dangerous to your pet. Drops on the back of the neck are best for an active flea problem. THE DROPS THAT ARE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES PROMERIS, REVOLUTION, ADVANTAGE, AND FRONTLINE ARE THE ONLY PROVEN, SAFE FLEA DROPS. OTHER OVER THE COUNTER BRANDS ARE GENERALLY INEFFECTIVE AND CAN CAUSE SKIN INFECTIONS, SEIZURES, AND DEATH IN YOUR PET. THESE INCLUDE SARGENTS, HARTZ, BIOPSOT, SENTRYPRO XFC, SPOT-ON, AND OTHERS. There are other kinds of safe flea prevention that are pill form and work to inhibit reproduction of fleas. Check out the quick reference to safe flea products on the other side of this sheet.

2. Get a SAFE flea spray to treat your home and pet area. “Bug Bombs” are generally not a good idea and usually are not effective on fleas. We recommend Siphotrol Plus® II premise treatment. It is very effective, easy to use, and inhibits the growth of new fleas for up to 7 months! When this product is used properly even the most active, vile flea infestation in a home can be eliminated in one afternoon. Siphetrol Plus® II is relatively inexpensive for the area it covers and for how safe and effective it is. (25.00 through RASCAL) Remember, this is only for furniture, carpets, pet bedding, and other inanimate objects and is not to be sprayed directly on your pet. This product is only available through a veterinarian.

How to properly use Siphotrol Plus® II with an active flea problem in your home:*

a.	Vacuum the entire area you are going to be treating. Get out the corner tools on your vacuum (if you have them) and suck along the baseboards to do a very thorough cleaning. If you have a flea collar, cut it up and put it in the vacuum bag to stun live fleas as they go in. After vacuuming very thoroughly, throw the bag away outside or better yet, in a dumpster far from your home.
b.	Wash your pet’s bedding in the hot/cold cycle in your washer. You may need to wash your bedding as well if your pet sleeps in your bed. (This includes pillows)
c.	Go over all desired areas with the Siphotrol Plus® II. Go around the baseboards of a room, over your couch, your bed, and over your entire floor. One can will treat 2000 square feet.

Q: What if I let a flea problem go untreated?

A: An untreated flea problem can lead to skin infection, aggressiveness, lesions, fur loss, and tapeworm infestations in your pet. Remember- the fleas also bite you! The best thing to do is get your pet treated right away if you think they have they have a problem or better yet- get them on year ‘round prevention. The cheap flea products at the pet stores are tempting for their price compared to the safe brands, but steer clear from them. You will end up paying for the better products anyway or sometimes even a hospital stay for your pet.

Brand Name	How it Works	Parasites Affected
Promeris for Cats	Topical drops that kill all live adult fleas within 24 hours and prevent re-infestation for up to 7 weeks. Because Promeris is a new formula (metaflumizone) it is a very effective and generally safe product. Individuals who have had problems with other topical flea applications not taking care of their flea problem will most likely find Promeris to work quickly and effectively.	Fleas
Promeris for Dogs	Topical drops that kill all live adult fleas for up to 6 weeks and ticks for up to 4 weeks. Like the Promeris for cats it is safe and effective, often taking care of a tough flea or tick problem with other products are unable. Also good for dogs who are predisposed to mange (such as pit bulls, boxers, bulldogs, boston terriers, shar pei's) as an active ingredient within the product is labeled to kill mange.	Fleas Ticks
Comfortis for Dogs	Comfortis is a chewable tablet that starts killing adult fleas within 30 minutes of application and acts as a prevention for 4 weeks. Great option for dogs who need flea prevention before a bath, as it is not affected by water, or for those with skin sensitive to topical applications.	Fleas
Advantage Multi for Cats and Dogs	Topical drops that kills and controls adult fleas, ear mites (cats only), whipworms (dogs only) hookworms and roundworms. Also prevents heartworms in both cats and dogs.	Fleas Heartworms Whipworms (dogs only) Roundworms Earmites (cats only) Hookworms
Advantage and Advantix
Advantage and Advantix	Topical drops that kill all adult fleas within 12 hours of application. Advantage is for safe and effective for cats, but Advantix is for DOGS ONLY, and should be used in households with DOGS ONLY. Advantix repels ticks and mosquitoes before they bite. Advantix is deadly to cats.	Fleas Ticks (dogs Only)
Revolution	Topical drops that will kill all live adult fleas within 24 hours. Also helps to treat earmites, roundworms, hookworms, and prevent heartworms in both cats and dogs.	Fleas Heartworms Roundworms Hookworms Earmites
Frontline Plus	Topical drops that kill all live adult fleas in 18 hours and live adult ticks in 48 hours. Available over the counter at some pet stores, but be careful to only ask for Frontline Plus.	Fleas Ticks Lice
Capstar	A one-time pill that kills all fleas within 30 minutes of taking it. It does not act as a preventative, so after 30 minutes if another flea jumps on your pet the problem will come back. Best if used with severe flea infestations in conjunction with other safe flea prevention.	Fleas
Sentinel	A monthly pill that protects against heartworms and treats whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Limits flea populations by acting as a sort of “birth control” by making the adult flea sterile and therefore unable to reproduce. Does not kill adult fleas on contact, so best used as prevention and not to treat an active flea infestation. Only available for dogs.	Fleas Heartworms Roundworms Whipworms Hookworms
Program and Program PLUS	Much like Sentinel, Program is a monthly pill that protects against fleas by stopping them from reproducing. Also protects against heartworms and treats hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms in your pet. Best used as prevention rather than to treat an active flea infection.	Fleas Heartworms Hookworms Roundworms Whipworms

Life Cycle of the Flea

RASCAL can help you get these safe, effective flea products for your pet. Please call our office for more information at 614-791-772.

*RASCAL unit is not paid by VetKem (makers of Siphotrol Plus II) This is just a great, one-of-a-kind product we’d like you to know about!

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