1. CAVM Complimentary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Kansas City Holistic Center February 3, 2009 Linda Faris, DVM, CVA

2.  Introduction   Why Safe and effective Safe and effective Cost-effective Cost-effective Patient receptivity Patient receptivity Relieve pain and suffering Relieve pain and suffering Avoid pharmaceutical injury Avoid pharmaceutical injury Client satisfaction Client satisfaction Palliative care Palliative care  What-first……fleas Acupuncture/Aquapuncture/Moxa Acupuncture/Aquapuncture/Moxa Gold Bead Implants Gold Bead Implants Modern Vaccine Protocols/Detoxification Modern Vaccine Protocols/Detoxification Auto Sanguis Therapy Auto Sanguis Therapy Sebaceous Cysts –non surgical removal Sebaceous Cysts –non surgical removal Homeopathy/Homotoxicology Homeopathy/Homotoxicology Natural Cancer Treatment Natural Cancer Treatment Internal Medicine/Organ Failure Kidney Internal Medicine/Organ Failure Kidney

4. Fleas

5. Fleas 4 Stages  Adult hungry feeds on blood 2-3 meals/day hungry feeds on blood 2-3 meals/day on a warm-blooded host most of their life on a warm-blooded host most of their life females lay up to 2,000 eggs (15-40/day) females lay up to 2,000 eggs (15-40/day)  Eggs laid on the pet laid on the pet fall into bedding/carpet/cracks/yard fall into bedding/carpet/cracks/yard  Caterpillar/Larvae consumes organic matter (flea dirt, crumbs, etc.) consumes organic matter (flea dirt, crumbs, etc.) flea caterpillar makes a cocoon flea caterpillar makes a cocoon  Pupa impervious to insecticides impervious to insecticides can wait many weeks for a host to come near can wait many weeks for a host to come near senses vibration or movement to induce hatch senses vibration or movement to induce hatch

6. 5% Adults 50 days 10% Pupae 4 to 5 months 35% Larvae 12 days 50% eggs 10 days ADULTS ON THE PET REST OF LIFE STAGES LIVE IN THE ENVIORONMENT OFF THE PET

7. Diseases & Problems Fleas Cause  Flea Allergy Dermatitis Infections Infections Itching Itching Hairloss/Hyperkeratosis/Hyperpigmentation Hairloss/Hyperkeratosis/Hyperpigmentation Irritation/suffering Irritation/suffering  Tapeworms (intestinal parasite) Fleas are one of the possible intermediate hosts Fleas are one of the possible intermediate hosts Rabbits are the other possible intermediate host Rabbits are the other possible intermediate host Rule out: Indoor animals with tapeworms have had fleas!  Anemia (low PCV-red cell count) Severe infestation Severe infestation Large numbers of fleas Large numbers of fleas Long term infestation Long term infestation  Bubonic Plague

8. Flea Health Issues  Problems are relatively minor  Problems are relatively easy to solve  Fleas are fairly wimpy insects-easy to kill  Many common treatments are too strong  What NOT TO do if you find a flea Don’t over-react and instantly apply Frontline or Advantage, etc. Don’t over-react and instantly apply Frontline or Advantage, etc. Don’t freak out and bomb the house Don’t freak out and bomb the house

10. Typical Control Measures What most regular veterinarians recommend  Chemical Pet IGR Sprays Powders Shampoos Dips/wipes Spot-ons Household Bombs Sprays Yard Spray Granules

11. Effective? Yes Safe???  NOT FOR HIGH RISK PATIENTS  Despite label claims, be careful Toxicity (tongue and pulse)Toxicity (tongue and pulse) SeizuresSeizures Immune system disordersImmune system disorders CancerCancer Internal medical disordersInternal medical disorders Topical irritation, skin and tissue damageTopical irritation, skin and tissue damage  I DO RECOMMEND STRATEGIC USE OF SYSTEMIC PARASITE TREATMENTS and DETOX IF STRONG & HEALTHY  I DO NOT RECOMMEND ROUTINE MONTHLY APPLICATION

12. What To Do If You Find A Flea (chill-out) 1. Kill the flea 2. Check for more on that pet 3. Check for more on the other pets 4. If you find more, kill them 5. Save the “BIG GUNS” for later 6. Wait a few days or a few weeks to determine 1. If there is a problem 2. How serious is the problem. There is plenty of time to decide if you need to go nuclear

13. How to manage parasites naturally Start early-don’t wait for infestation Start early-don’t wait for infestation Use multiple products with different activities Use multiple products with different activities Stay on top of it-daily flea comb Stay on top of it-daily flea comb Put your glasses onPut your glasses on Get under a good light sourceGet under a good light source Put your hands on your petPut your hands on your pet Check frequently for infestations Check frequently for infestations Know what you are looking for Know what you are looking for Watch for the secondary signs Watch for the secondary signs Itching from fleasItching from fleas Hair loss or damage to coat or skinHair loss or damage to coat or skin Flea dirtFlea dirt

14. Safer Alternatives  Herbal Flea Sprays  Herbal Flea Powders  Garlic and Brewer’s Yeast  Diatomaceous Earth  Neem Oil  Essential Oils Cedar Oil Cedar Oil Tea Tree Oil Tea Tree Oil Rosemary Oil Rosemary Oil

15. For the pets Strong Immune System Diet/food additives SupplementsColostrum/IgGAnti-oxidants Power Mushrooms Vitamins Avoid Exposure Regular grooming Cut Hair Short Flea Comb daily Baths/Shampoo Repellants/Botanicals Essential Oils Diatomaceous EarthParasite Dust

16. For the home Home Diatomaceous Earth Boric Acid Flea traps light bulb over pan of soapy water or roach/ant sticky tack YardNematodes Keep mowed short No piles of sand or gravel Pick up debris Fence yard-stop roaming

17. Take Home Message  More work and time required for natural  Safer but not as effective  Start early in the year and stay with it  Infestations usually in late summer or fall  Sometimes have to use the “Big Guns”  One or two uses is not a failure  If you use chemicals, detox, detox, detox!

18. Questions?? Acupuncture and Herbs For Pets 9303 W 75 th Street, Suite 100 Overland Park, KS 66204 913-341-4372 www.westonvet.com