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If you look closely at your pet's fur and notice small, brown spots scurrying across it, it most likely means your pet has fleas. At All Creatures Veterinary Service, Arlington pet care provider, Dr. Tim Cavanagh, treats dogs and cats who are suffering from a flea infestation. While fleas love the warm and moist conditions a dog or cat's body provides, there are ways you can keep fleas away.

During the warmer months of the year, your dog or cat is likely to show signs of a flea infestation, such as scratching and itching. Depending on your pet's reaction to the flea bites, he may itch all over or in one area. Some pets have such severe reactions to fleas that their skin becomes inflamed and their fur falls out. Occasionally, a dog may have changes in behavior due to a neurological reaction to fleas. If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your pet to our animal vet clinic for an examination. Our veterinarian Dr. Cavanagh can make a recommendation and design a treatment plan specifically for your pet.

Our veterinary clinic can also help you prevent fleas from attacking your pet in the first place. Topical medications applied to your pet's skin once a month can keep fleas away. Vacuuming carpeted areas of your home will remove any flea eggs or larvae that could later infest your pet. Also, wash your pet's bedding in hot water regularly to eliminate fleas.

Our veterinarian offers several treatment options for fleas. The treatment that will work for your pet depends on the stage of fleas he or she has. Medications such as Frontline and Advantage are designed to kill adult fleas on your pets while treatments such as methoprene will kill fleas in the larval stage. After treating your pet with medicine, you may also need to apply a pesticide to your home environment to destroy any fleas that are living in your house and outdoor area.

Has your pet suffered from fleas?