
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 19, 1995                   TAG: 9505190060
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MY DOG HAS FLEAS ... NOT

There are some sounds you can always count on in the spring: The drone of lawnmowers being pushed by whining teen-agers, the slap of running feet on the pavement in a desperate effort to get into shape (and into last year's bathing suit) - and the scratch of Fido flickin' fleas off of himself and into your carpet.

This season, there's hope that Fido won't have to mutate from your beloved companion into a constant-leg-in-motion flea factory. The Program, a once-a-month pill, won't prevent adult fleas from taking a free ride on your canine, but it will prevent eggs from hatching.

In one day, one female flea can lay up to 50 eggs, which can each hatch and grow to adulthood in three weeks. Multiplied by...multiplied by...

Then factor in the cost of visits to the vet for skin problems. According to Roanoke veterinarian Mark Finkler, that's the number one reason people bring their dogs to the vet, and fleas are mostly to blame.

At $5 per pill, The Program sounds better already.

It's safe for Fido and the kids, too. So, with less scratching, there'll be more time for hugging.

As for ticks... well, maybe next year. In the meantime, Finkler recommends the Preventic collar, which repels ticks somewhat and helps prevent them from attaching to whatever source they find appealing.

Somewhere in the grand scheme of things there must be a reason for fleas.

Right next to the one for mosquitos.

by CNB