Now's a good time to launch a fresh offensive on fleas, especially in areas known for mild winters.
As you're planning your assault, remember that all the powders, sprays and baths in the world aren't going to help your pet if you don't hit the house and yard, too. Flea control works only when pets, house and yard are treated at the same time.
One of the best ways to organize the task is to send your pets out for flea treatment while spraying your house and yard with compounds with quick knock-down and long-term control potential. Products that contain insect growth-restricting hormones, such as Precor, are harmless to people and pets, but they prevent flea eggs from developing into biting adults.
Don't forget to make good use of your vacuum cleaner and washing machine while fighting fleas. Wash pet bedding and vacuum pet areas frequently to pick up adult and developing fleas. Vacuum up some flea powder at the same time to kill fleas in the bag, and change bags frequently.
With a big effort now, your pets could be mostly flea-free until the spring.
Another fall project for many people is changing antifreeze in the car, but it's a do-it-yourself project that can be deadly if proper care isn't taken.
Antifreeze is a sweet-smelling chemical that animals may be tempted to taste. Others may lick some off their paws after walking through a spill. The solution is so deadly that the amount licked off paws could kill a small pet within 24 hours.
The best way to prevent such a tragedy is to make sure antifreeze is kept off-limits to pets (and children!). Keep the chemical tightly sealed in containers, wipe up spills immediately and dispose of old fluid properly.
If you see your pet ingesting even the smallest amount, or exhibiting lack of coordination, weakness or vomiting, contact your veterinarian right away. Quick medical intervention is your pet's only chance.
The Christmas shopping season has arrived, and with it, the firs of a handful of gift books for pet lovers. The earliest -- and sure to be one of the best of the season -- is British veterinarian David Taylor's "The Ultimate Dog Book" (Simon and Schuster, $29.95).
The information in the book, although complete and informative, breaks no new ground, but the design and illustrations are nothing short of spectacular. The heart of the book is a breed-by-breed look at dozens of different dogs, each with a double-page spread dominated by a color picture so large that for the toy breeds they're practically life-size, and so sharp that the whiskers on a schnauzer can easily be counted. It's a pleasure to look at, and a useful reference text.
