Courtesy of Farnam Pet Products
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Second in a 5 part series on pet parasites
Part II - Glossary
Citric Acid - A naturally occurring chemical that has some insecticidal and anti-microbial properties.
Deer Tick - A small tick (about the size of a pinhead). It is this tick that can carry the Lyme disease causing organism (Borellia burgdorferi).
Deltamethrin - a pyrethroid insecticide with a very high level of activity against ticks (and fleas). When Deltamethrin is formulated into a (flea and) tick collar, it demonstrates multiple effects against this (these) parasite(s), including repellency, rapid knockdown, and effective, long lasting kill. Deltamethrin should not be used on cats.
Dermal Sensitization - One type of safety test that is required for EPA registration of an insecticide/pesticide to determine whether the product is a sensitizer (causes an allergic type reaction).
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency is the government agency that regulates chemical products such as insecticides and pesticides. The EPA is responsible for ensuring that each product is safe for use for both the consumer and the environment. Before an insecticide may be sold in commerce (through any channel-vet, pet) it must be registered with the EPA.
F.A.D. - "Flea Allergy Dermatitis" or "Flea Bite Hypersensitivity" is the most common dermatological disease of domestic dogs in the USA. When fleas feed, they inject saliva that contains enzymes and histamine-like substances, which cause irritation and pruritis (itching). Repeated exposure to these substances can cause an animal to become hypersensitive.
Flea - A blood-sucking insect, which feeds on animals, can bite humans and is capable of jumping from 14 to 16 inches. Female fleas begin laying eggs within 48 hours of their first blood meal and can lay as many as 200 eggs in a matter of days.
Flea Dirt - Organic matter which flea larvae feed on. Flea dirt consists of partially digested blood (flea droppings), which is left behind by the blood sucking adult flea. It can sometimes be seen in the fur of light colored pets, but usually drops off onto the ground, where the flea eggs and larvae are.
Insect Growth Regulator (IGR's) - A class of materials that control insects by disrupting normal growth and development, rather than by toxic action (poisoning).
Larvae - The life stage of a flea or tick that hatches from the egg. Flea larvae are small yellowish maggot-like looking creatures, while tick larvae or "seed ticks" are tiny six legged ticks. The larvae of both fleas and ticks must feed before further development can occur.
Go to the next page to learn more about pet parasites.
