Pain Removed. Life Improved. KAH is proud to be offering Therapeutic Laser treatments for our patients!   Our Companion Laser is manufactured by LiteCure.  A LiteCure Laser is used in St. Louis Cardinals Clubhouse! 

KAH now recommends Trifexis™ for:

  " dead fleas, dead intestinal parasites, no heartworms".

Other Products that contain only IGR (insect growth regulators) may leave sterile fleas on your dog.

So how do you liker your fleas Sterile or Dead ?

Live sterile fleas can live up to 100 days on your dog. Biting and taking blood meals the entire time. Causing discomfort and possibly inducing an allergic response called "Flea Bite Dermatitis".

Dead Fleas don't bite they are just Dead!

kills adult fleas, that are causing your pet's itchy skin and discomfort, as well as prevent a flea infestation in the home environment.

Our Flea Control program for Dogs includes:

1. Treat all the pets in your home, dogs with Trifexis™ (kills fleas as well as Heartworms, Hookworms, Roundworms and Whipworms).  Cats with Revolution.

2.   In addition, if necessary, topical treatment of flea nests in your home and yard.

Trifexis™ contains heartworm preventative medication and intestinal parasite preventative as well as a Flea Killer. Trifexis™ offers the best heartworm prevention, protection against the most common gastro-intestinal parasites (hookworms, roundworms and whipworms), as well as Dead Fleas.

How can fleas live through Missouri winters?

Flea nests and the wild animal reservoirs.  Fleas live on a number of different animal outdoors including cats, raccoons and opossums. These animals shed flea eggs by the hundreds onto your yard.  You may also have to treat problem areas in your yard.  Call our office for more details…..314-965-2660

 Why is flea control so important to my dog?

Fleas carry diseases and internal parasites such as tapeworms. They are a nuisance to the pet and the family, and can result in flea allergies and severe skin infections. Integrated flea control can prevent and treat flea infestations and the health problems associated with them.

If I only saw one flea why should I be concerned?

Adult fleas start feeding within minutes of finding their host. These irritating insects feed on blood. Egg production can start in as little as 24 hours and an adult female can lay 40-50 eggs per day and live for up to 2 years. The eggs drop off the host and into the carpeting, dog beds, furniture, etc of the home. There they mature through the larval and pupal stages of the lifecycle. The eggs, larva, and pupa are almost invisible to the naked eye.

I am currently on integrated flea control, but today I saw a flea. Is my strategy failing?

If you have any questions about KAH Newest flea and parasite control, or about protecting your individual pet, please contact the office for an appointment. 314-965-2660.

The LIFE CYCLE

Ctenocephalides felis (the cat flea) is now the predominant flea species associated with cats and dogs in the United States.

ADULTS

Cat fleas spend virtually their entire life on the dog or cat. They will initiate feeding and breeding within 8 hours of finding a dog or cat. They will only leave the dog or cat to jump on another dog or cat. Treatment point: treatment must be directed at the dog or cat.

EGGS

Within 24-36 hours the flea will begin laying eggs. Peak egg production occurs within 4 to 8 days of feeding and an adult cat flea can produce up to 40 to 50 eggs per day at it's peak. Reproduction can continue for up to 100 days. Treatment point: We must have flea treatment that is effective immediately and maintains it’s effectiveness for as long as possible.

LARVAE

After the eggs hatch, the tiny larval forms of the flea live in our homes. Their instinct is to crawl toward gravity. Thus they go into the cracks in hardwood floors and deep into carpeting. Treatment point: In these places they are almost entirely protected from exposure to insecticides and growth regulators we apply to our environment.

PUPAE

In this stage the larvae spins a cocoon around itself and becomes a pupa. Ninety-plus percent of the pupa emerge within a couple of weeks. A small portion delay emergence until up to 50 weeks. Treatment point: It is very difficult to kill pupa in the environment and delayed emergence produces re-infestation at almost anytime.

PRE-ADULT

When the pre-adult emerges it goes away from gravity and orients toward light. When the light changes or something walks by, the flea jumps. Treatment point: The pre-adult does not stay on the floor or carpeting long enough to be killed by insecticides sprayed on these surfaces.

WINTER SURVIVAL

Why has the flea continued to survive in cold northern climates where it is not supposed to? First fleas are living on wild dogs, cats, opossums and raccoons during the winter. Secondly, immature forms of the flea can live in tiny protected areas out-of -doors during the winter. Treatment point: Preventative measures should continue all year round.

The Virtually Parasite-Free Dog

Yes. It is possible to have your dog virtually parasite-free. When you administer Trifexis™ monthly to your dog you control Heartworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, Roundworms and fleas. Trifexis™ controls all the worms that Sentinel or Interceptor does and Kills Fleas....Dead Fleas instead of Sterile Fleas!

The Foundation of Flea

Control is Trifexis™

© 1998 Kirkwood Animal Hospital