Fleas are a pestilence to mankind. Their blood feud has been going on for centuries. A certain variety of flea was actually responsible for the widespread death and devastation wrought throughout the Black Death’s reign of terror in the 1300s. These days, most people don’t worry too much about catching the plague, but fleas are still carriers of this and other terrible and debilitating flea diseases. For the sake of public health and safety, this public service announcement is here to inform you of the dangers that can result from unrestricted flea bites and flea disease. Cat Scratch Fever Despite the incredible guitar talents of Ted Nugent, this particular flea disease is no picnic. Better known in the medical community by the name of Bartonella henselae, (not quite as catchy as the common vernacular) Cat Scratch Fever is transmitted via flea bite, and it preys on weak immune system and can result in serious complications for the victims. It has little to no effect on cats that contract the infection, but it plays havoc with humans. Symptoms include but are not limited to: fatigue, headache, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, weight loss, sore throat, and a lack of appetite. Someone with the infection should also see a blister or bump form at the site of the infection, which is usually caused by a scratch or bite from a cat, hence the well thought out name.   The Bubonic Plague   Believe it or not, people actually still catch this medieval epidemic, and it’s no ring around the rosy. Guess how it’s contracted. Pat yourself on the back if you answered flea bites. If you paid any attention in high school history, you probably remember the symptoms of the Black Death: gangrene, malaise, fever, grotesquely smooth bumps and boils, and oh yeah—Death. Luckily, medical science has come a ways since the dark ages, and there are antibiotic treatments that keep this flea disease in check. Flea Borne Typhus You know that any disease that sounds like a Greek god can’t be too much fun. Flea borne Typhus is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi  is transmitted when a flea bites a rat then cats or possums and then on to human beings. It’s a nasty infection with some harsh symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes (a common trend, if you haven’t noticed,) severe headaches, stupor, chills, high fever, a skin rash, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches. Antibiotic treatment is a must if you contract this flea disease. If left untreated, the infection can prove fatal. There are plenty of other pathogens that a flea can transmit with a single chomp, but these are the culprits to look out for.   While there are treatment options for most any flea disease, the real solution will always be preventative treatment. It’s far better to pay up front and not have to worry about the Black Death. So thank your lucky stars that such treatment is both affordable and conveniently available at your online pet supermarket

What is a flea? The answer is manifold. As you probably already know, there are plenty of different kinds of fleas. Many are named for the hosts that they prey upon: Rabbit, Dog,  and Deer Fleas, etc. However, as we’ve already learned, knowledge of your enemies is of paramount importance in the ongoing struggle against parasites. So it’s time to get down to specifics. If there is one sort that gives people and pets more trouble than any other, it is undoubtedly the Cat Flea. If you’ve ever had to deal with a pet parasite infestation, you’ve more than likely come up against this tiny terror. So what do fleas do? More than you might expect. The Cat flea is one of the most numerous creatures on the planet, thriving in any area inhabited by animals. Unlike many of their parasitic brethren with a predilection toward a single type of prey, these bloodsuckers have an undiscerning appetite for mammalian hemoglobin. They will feast on dogs, cats, birds, and even humans. Though humans can be infected, it’s difficult for a large colony to establish for any extended period of time.  Most human beings are quick to eliminate any pesky itching, but if a flea can feed on a human for 12 hours they will begin to lay eggs. While they are predominantly found on cats, there are actually more cat fleas infesting dog skins than any other variety, including the dog flea. In interesting name choice there. The scientists in charge of classification must have gotten lazy that day. Cat Flea Characteristics   Aside from being less finicky than the other types, the cat flea doesn’t really stand out. Their recognizable attributes only become visible when viewed under a microscope, which can be problematic considering how difficult they are to catch.  They share most of the major features with the others, like piercing/sucking mouth parts, three sets of legs, large and powerful hind legs well-suited to jumping, tiny spines on their legs used to grip the host’s hair, and a triple sectioned body. Their habits are very similar to the other varieties as well. They prefer warmer climates anywhere between 55 and 90° F. Cat fleas are most active before laying eggs and after emerging from their pupa stage. The major differences are in the whisker-like spines on and around their heads as well as a vertical compression, (in addition to the universally present lateral compression that allows all fleas to slip as they please through feathers and fur with equivalent ease). On an unrelated note, that last rhyme was entirely coincidental and unplanned, though whimsically pleasing to the ear. A certain amount of whimsy is a much-needed element when discussing a subject as disturbing as bloodsucking parasites, so it seems like a good spot to end the discussion. Remember that while fleas can differ greatly between species, treatment is nearly always the same. Prevention is the best policy and nothing beats high quality pet medications. Grab yours today!

Well, you know… we all want to change the world—to a simpler and safer place for pets that is! There is a veritable smorgasbord of preventatives on the pet medication buffet, but how do you tell which is the correct choice for your pet? Well, in the interest of pet revelations and the commonwealth of cats and dogs everywhere, here is a brief account of the advantages of two popular items on most every pet owner’s radar. Revolution and Frontline Plus. Both Revolution and Frontline Plus will treat the basic parasites: fleas and ticks. However, they differ in their methods and applicability. Both are spot-on medications applied to the back of your pet’s neck. This saves you the trouble of covering a tablet in peanut-butter and deceiving your trusting companions. These medications deserve their due diligence as fine and effective products. On the Frontlines Though Revolution and Frontline Plus both share a degree of notoriety, Frontline plus is probably the better known of the two. Though it suffers some criticism at the hands of sporadic posters on many pet forums, it maintains a merited respectable reputation. It is a multi-action parasite medication that attacks every stage of the flea life cycle, neutralizing flea eggs, inhibiting larval growth and killing adult fleas. While offering comprehensive protection against fleas, Frontline Plus also tackles those troublesome ticks and lice.   Revolution Revelations Revolution is also a multi-action parasite medication. Revolution will defend your dog or cat from fleas and ticks just like Frontline Plus. The flea protection offered by both products is identical as Revolution is no respecter of age when it comes to eliminating fleas, though it treats a much more limited variety of ticks as compared to Frontline Plus. Whereas Frontline protects against American Dog Ticks, Brown Ticks, Lone Star Ticks, and Deer Ticks too; Revolution only offers defense against the most prevalent of those listed above: The American Dog Tick. The main advantage of Revolution is that it also treats deadly heartworms, invasive Ear Mites, and even intestinal parasites in cats. Frontline Or Revolution? Heartworm prevention is pretty important to a pet owner, and not having to administer two separate medications for these parasites is a pretty big advantage for Revolution. However, if you live in an area proliferated by more than the run-of-the-mill tick population it might behoove you to stock up on Frontline Plus instead. Revolution and Frontline plus are both effective in the most common uses of pet medications, and each has its own standout characteristics making it more or less attractive according to consumer preferences. Whichever you choose you’re likely to be a powerfully satisfied return customer for years to come. The main thing to remember is that none of the medications you research are really “better” or “worse” than any other. They simply offer distinctly different advantages and disadvantages. Do your research and carefully consider the possibilities before deciding on the best course of treatment for your fuzziest family members.

Everyone loves to take their dog to the Dog Park. The mutt burns some energy, socializes with other dogs, and you get to enjoy the sight of happy hounds frolicking. The only thing you have to worry about is picking up some unwanted guests, namely fleas or ticks, from the dog park grounds or the other dogs. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure your dog’s wellbeing during his Dog Park visit. Vet recommended canine parasite medications are readily available, as well as home remedies, and protective chemical barriers that can boost your pet’s defenses to near impenetrable levels. All so you can keep the dog park from turning into a flea circus. The Preventative Strike The Dog Park is enemy territory, to make an incursion you’ve got to be prepared. The first step in an effective defense is prevention. There are effective medicines that can shield your pet from the malicious pests plaguing you both. Canine parasite medications like Frontline, Comfortis, and Revolution all meet the task admirably, and they are all available from your favorite online Pet Supermarket. The Castle Walls Once you’ve decided on a monthly treatment, it’s time to go the extra mile. If you’ve got a scheduled visit to your local dog park, then dress your dog appropriately with a flea/tick collar. These handy implements will spread a thin layer of parasite repellant across your pup’s body, and send any unwanted visitors packing with a poisonous rebuttal. Final Preparations As if these two precautions weren’t enough to deter even the boldest parasites lurking in your local dog park, there are some home remedies that can be effective in weeding out the mostresilient of your tiny foes. For example, mix a small amount of garlic into your dog’s meals. The garlic is absorbed into your pet’s bloodstream and the pungent flavor proves unpalatable for the picky flea. Just as a citronella candle will keep mosquitos at bay, the more earthbound bloodsucking flea tries to avoid the scent of citronella as well. To put this trick to good use, take a bandana or scarf and drop a few drops of citronella onto it. Wrap the small garment around your pet’s neck and give them a pretty new accessory as well as the assurance of an itch free afternoon. Home remedies like these can prove fairly, but shouldn’t be seen as substitutes for the overall protection of a proven canine parasite medication. However, they can fill in the gaps and help put one more barrier between your pet and his predators. Avoid the Flea Circus! Always remember to check your dog for fleas after a day at the dog park. When the pooches intermingle so closely it’s a safe bet that one of them has rolled in something they shouldn’t have, and it’s only a short hop for a single flea to start a new colony on your dog’s hide. Start defending your dog with an effective canine parasite medication today.

Safeguarding your fluffy family member is an important aspect of pet care. Unfortunately, the process can be confusing. How do you know your pet’s needs? What are the most effective Pet Meds available? With so much money spent in the way of advertising, and so little work done in the efforts of honest product review, something as simple as keeping your pet safe and healthy can end up being a chore. Luckily, there are still those who have a vested interest in educating pet owners about quality pet care practices to protect any animal subject to these all too common invaders. PetBucket.com makes it a point to sell the most effective, vet recommended pet meds available, and also to help you decide which of these pet meds is most suited to your needs. So in that spirit, here is a short breakdown of what to look for, what you might find, and what to do if you see it: The Usual Suspects-Ticks, Fleas, and Worms: Every Pet owner knows that they must beware of fleas, ticks, and a variety of menacing worms. The trick is to monitor your pet closely and look out for common warning signs. Make sure to brush your pet often and inspect them closely, in order to root out any fleas or ticks. Cat Scratch Fever! --Itching- This one is a no-brainer. Every dog and cat is bound to be found scratching at one time or another. However, if scratching becomes consistent, you notice your pet whining, or scratching a certain spot until their skin gets raw, then it could be a possible sign of mites or even flea and tick incursions.   Dog Tired! --Lethargy- This one can be a little trickier, especially if you have an older pet, or perhaps just a very lazy one. If you notice a lack of energy in your animal accompanied by coughing, difficult breathing, and weight loss then your pet may have heartworms. Heartworms are life-threatening and should be treated with any number of common pet care medications. One Sick Puppy!--Digestive problems- If you see any sign of changes in your pet’s appetite, diarrhea, or anal irritation this might indicate a case of roundworm. An intestinal bug that can significantly shorten your pet’s lifespan. Pet Care Treatments at Prescription Strength: Pet Care Products For Flea Bites and Sticky Ticks: Advantix- Powerful parasite preventative. Proven effective against flea and tick infestations. Frontline- Probably the most recognizable name in Pet medications, and for good reason. Pet Care Products For Worms in Dogs and Cats: Interceptor-Treats a variety of intestinal worms in both dogs and cats. Heartguard- Effective heartworm preventative, a must buy for every pet owner. So keep a close eye on your pet, and take preventative measures to stop parasites before they start by using any of these powerful pet meds. Order all of your pet care products at a discount at Petbucket.com.