Frequently Asked Questions

• What do I bathe my dog in when he gets sprayed by a skunk?
• How do I get rid of fleas?
• Why is it important to get my pet neutered?
• Why is it important to get my pet spayed?
  

Q: What do I bathe my dog in when he gets sprayed by a skunk?

1 Box of Baking Soda
2 Bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide
Then add enough grease cutting dishwashing liquid to make a sudsy, goopy, mousey mess.

Apply eye ointment, and put concoction on pet, let sit a full 10-15 minutes. Rinse well. Still stinks? The rest just takes a bit of time.

Q: How do I get rid of fleas?

Flea Control
Many different products are available for flea control. To eradicate fleas, you must apply an insecticide correctly and at proper intervals. All pets and the pet's environment must be treated to eradicate fleas.

Treating Your Pet
Frontline is available in a spray or a topical application (Topspot). Frontline eliminates fleas on pets within 24 hours and continues killing fleas on dogs and cats for at least one month. Frontline also kills ticks before they attach for at least 1 month. Sunlight, swimming and bathing do not impact performance. Frontline is so gentle it can be used on puppies and kittens. Topspot is applied to one small area of your pet's skin (between the shoulder blades for dogs and behind the neck area for cats) allows the product to rapidly distribute itself across your pet's entire skin surface.

Other products are also available such as collars, powders, shampoos and dips. These products may be less effective, difficult and/or more time consuming to apply. Some of these products have residual particles that can transfer onto hands which could be a concern with small children.

Treating Your Environment
Treating the home is crucial to solving the flea problems. With more efficient flea control products (listed above) environmental flea control is achieved through the use of the product on the pet. However, the first few months after you start the flea product or if you are using a less effective flea control method, there will still be viable eggs and larvae in the environment (house).

Vacuuming
Whether you choose to use a household spray or fogger (flea bomb), the first step is the same. VAcuum the entire house thoroughly, including under and behind furniture and all upholstery that the pet spends time on. Throw the vacuum bag away. Vacuuming will help in removal of fleas, eggs and debris. VAcuuming also stimulates the flea eggs and cocoons to hatch.

Sprays vs. Foggers
Foggers only work well in large open areas with minimal obstacles. They do not penetrate under furniture or into closets. Much of the pesticides released when setting off a fogger does not land in the areas where fleas inhabit necessating extensive cleanup. Alternatively, household sprays are applied by you manually to all of the areas that need treatment.

Whether using a fogger or a spray, we recommend retreating in 2 weeks after the first treatment, to kill adult fleas that have hatched from the cocoons. Any house treatment that you use should have residual activity that kills eggs and immature fleas for at least 6 weeks. As with any product, we encourage you to read all the directions carefully. We recommend the products that we carry because we know they are safe and effective.

Q: Why is it important to have my pet neutered?

A male dog or cat that has not been neutered cannot control its mating instincts. Given freedom to wander, such an animal may become hurt or lost and is almost certain to be responsible for unwanted breeding and litters.

Humane societies can find homes for only a fraction of these unwanted animals. Millions of them are euthanatized (killed) each year. If you do not plan to breed your male pet, neutering is recommended.

Neutering a sexually immature dog inhibits the development of mating and roaming behavior. Because these instincts are diminished, a neutered dog usually is more compatible with people and easier to train than an animal that has not been neutered. Neutering a sexually immature cat generally prevents development of mating behavior and the spraying of urine to mark territory around the house and yard. The surgery also prevents undesirable behaviors associated with cryptorchidism.

Q: Why is it important to have my pet spayed?

Humane societies cannot place all unwanted animals. Millions of them must be euthanatized (put to sleep) each year. Countless others are abandoned.

Discuss your questions about breeding and birth control with your veterinarian. If you plan to breed your pet, ask for information or care of the dam and litter. If you do not plan to breed your pet spaying is recommended to prevent the birth of unwanted litters.

The spay is the only foolproof method of birth control for female dogs and cats. It is a permanent method, eliminating the possibility of improper administration of pills, drops, or injections, which can result in unwanted pregnancies.