Fleas in the San Fernando Valley?

Our office receives 3 to 4 cases of flea infestation every day. 

I hear many people say “Oh, my dog doesn’t have fleas.” But the fact is that since we are living in the San Fernando Valley it is a routine problem that many people overlook.  

There are two kinds of cats and dogs – ones that are allergic to fleas and ones that aren’t.   The best solution is to have a preventative.

Fleas do not like hot and dry weather and so the closer you live to the coast, the greater the chances of flea infestation.   No fleas live above 2500’ such as Palmdale and Lancaster areas.

Simply, fleas are pests of dogs, cats and livestock.  They have legs that can jump relatively long distances (for changing hosts) and comb-like appendages that will help these insects resist being brushed out of hair. 

The immature flea or larvae are very tiny worm-like creatures and can be present on fabric, carpet or outdoors.

Both adults and larvae are present outdoors in warm weather – in places that pets have been.

Fleas generally do not prefer humans however they may try to feed on humans if they have been starved for a long period of time.  And they have been known to carry diseases such as black plague (from fleas that usually infest rats) although there is not a lot of risk of those diseases in the United States at this time.

I hope this information was helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ted J. Adler D.V.M. and the Adler Vet Group

If you need assistance in finding the right preventative for your pet please contact our office at (818) 893-6366.  You can also visit our website at www.adlervetgroup.com