Friday, October 28, 2016

Would You Rather Be Bitten by Dracula or a Deadly, Plague-Infected Flea? #12Bravecto

Before you answer that impossible question, did you even know fleas carry PLAGUE? The disease* that wiped out millions of people in the Middle Ages, up to 60% of Europe's entire population, and remains the world's worst pandemic ever?


warning sign at Grand Canyon National Park to not feel or handle rock squirrels because they bite and have fleas that can carry plague
Y'all! My family came out to Arizona after BlogPaws this summer and we visited the Grand Canyon. As we approached the most visited overlook on the South Rim, THIS warning sign met us (five seconds AFTER I had already seen a tame squirrel on the path). I had not seen the word plague used in an actual present-day warning in my entire life. I didn't even know the plague was still a disease that people got! And to be honest, I wasn't convinced the National Park Service wasn't spreading tall tales just to scare the daylights out of people who ignore "do not feed the wild animals" signs! Until I googled "grand canyon squirrel fleas plague" on my iPhone...

And that the disease remains alive and spreadable in the world, including the United States? And the fleas that carry it can jump off their hosts (frequently rock squirrels) and bite pets and people? And if it's not diagnosed and treated with antibiotics early...well, you know. [insert funeral music 💀]

* The bubonic plague, to be exact. The disease--caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis--led to gangrene (dead, rotting tissue) in human extremities, and was referred to as Black Death.  (source: CDC)

But back to my question...What's it gonna be? Dracula or the flea? (Go ahead and take 10 seconds to think about it...)

This post is sponsored by BRAVECTO® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share information about BRAVECTO.  But we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Neither Intervet Inc., nor Merck & Co Inc., are responsible for the content of this article and have not written, reviewed, or edited it in any fashion. For more information about BRAVECTO please click here.

corgi on left dressed like vampire and a magnified photo of a flea on right
The one on the right is a fiend!

EW, look at the flea in that picture! Talk about a blood-sucking monster! SO nasty! The thought of those jumping all over my poor dogs (and/or cats) makes me feel sick to my stomach! (But not as sick as when I looked at this other, much worse, blood- and plague bacteria-filled flea photo from the CDC while researching this post. [retch!])

Where was I? Oh yeah! The "would you rather" question!

But whoops. I might have swayed you with those scary images. So, you know what? Scrub them from your retinas! Check out this comparison chart I made and then answer the question!

THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU GET BITTEN BY...

Dracula*
* Including various aliases & alter egos
Nasty Plague-Carrying Flea (that was on your dog first, and jumped on you after your dog brought it into the house)*
*And you don't have access to a doctor or antibiotics
Immortality An itchy, red bump (and possible severe allergic reaction)
Sun allergy The plague bacteria streaming through your veins to all your vital organs
Silver allergy Bacteria eating stuff inside you and pooing toxins 
Bad attitude REALLY BAD SICK
Quick, (mostly) painless death*
*I don't know why some people die and some get immortality, but there's a 100% chance it'll be one or the other.  
REALLY, REALLY BAD SICK
An unusual affinity for counting things  UNSPEAKABLE SICK
A craving for chocolate flavored cereal  DEATH
The ability to turn into a bat (the mammal, not a Louisville Slugger) Your name and picture in the national news, and forever association with the importance of flea bite prevention

Raise your hand if you'd rather get bitten by the plague-flea! I'm waiting. OK, time's up! Count Chocula for the win! Who wants milk?!

OK, SERIOUSLY. "Would you rather..." is a twisted game meant to shock and disgust your friends and family. And while I'm being honest, the risk of contracting the plague in the U.S. is slim (though greater than getting bitten by a Count). Read all about it at the CDC here.

chihuahua dressed ike a black insect with caption that she is a flea
No one makes flea costumes for dogs, OK! I know why, too: it's because dog-sized fleas are TOO UGLY AND SCARY FOR ANYONE TO LOOK AT, ESPECIALLY DOG ACTORS NAMED LELE. Scorpions are like ladybugs in comparison. 

FLEAS AND TICKS ARE BLOOD-SUCKING MONSTERS THAT CARRY ALL SORTS OF DISEASES BESIDES PLAGUE

Just when you thought it was safe to go outside... All of these diseases are carried by fleas and/or ticks, putting your sweet pets (and you) at risk!
  • plague
  • parasitic dermatitis (severe allergic reaction)
  • Lyme disease
  • bartonella (causes "Cat Scratch Fever" in humans)
  • erlichiosis
  • rickettsiae (responsible for typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, flea-borne spotted fever and tick bite fever)
  • meningoencephalitis 
  • tapeworms (EW!)

FLEAS AND TICKS BITE OUTDOORS AND IN, NO MATTER THE SEASON

It only takes one outdoor fall flea to turn into an indoor winter infestation. (Read my flea infestation horror story here.)

PROTECT YOUR DOG FROM DISEASE-CARRYING FLEAS AND TICKS YEAR-ROUND WITH BRAVECTO® (Fluralaner)

* BRAVECTO is approved for use in dogs only. Ask your veterinarian about flea and tick prevention for your cat. 

Get out and enjoy the great Autumn outdoors with your dog, worry-free! Nasty blood-sucking monsters beware!

BRAVECTO, delivered to your dog in a tasty chew treat, starts killing fleas within two hours and kills all fleas, plus ticks, within 12 hours. And then continues to provide protection for up to 12 weeks*! That's about four doses per calendar year (compared to 12 with a monthly preventative). So easy!

* BRAVECTO kills fleas, prevents flea infestations, and kills ticks (black-legged tick, American dog tick, and brown dog tick) for 12 weeks. BRAVECTO also kills lone star ticks for 8 weeks.



BRAVECTO box in grass with caption

DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH FLEA- OR TICK-BORNE DISEASE? HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? IS YOUR DOG PROTECTED FROM FLEA AND TICK BITES WHEN THE WEATHER COOLS OFF?


BRAVECTO is FDA approved and available only from a veterinarian or clinic. Ask your dog's veterinarian about it today. (Locate a veterinarian or clinic that carries BRAVECTO. P.S. It's accurate; I've used it myself!)

Money-saving tip: Register at My Pet Rewards for deals, such as cash rebates!

For the latest news and promotions, follow BRAVECTO on social: Facebook | Twitter

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published. However, it remains the responsibility of the readers to familiarize themselves with the product information contained on the USA product label or package. More product information is available here: https://intervetus.naccvp.com/product/view/1047512?e=d97b22ed63e734e84c1a5910a9c8f531z1688

Actual rock squirrel I met at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in June. ♥ I did not touch or feed him (evil plague fleas!!), but I SO wanted to!


26 comments:

  1. Oh that's an easy one! We would pick Dracula, paws down! We hate those nasty tick and flea critters! BOL! Oct and Nov is our biggest month here in the Northeast for fleas and ticks so mom makes sure we are always protected until we get our first big freeze! Great post!

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  2. Great product review - your creativity shines through. Love the costume too!

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  3. Love the costume, and the very informative post. I've been bitten by fleas, had fleas in the house from rescues and thankfully always managed to get rid of them all. Aside from the obvious, I wasn't aware of the plague! Yikes.

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  4. Am I the only one that thinks the flea is pretty because it's pink?

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  5. MOL, MOL ! Pawsome review and great info ! We chose Dracula, at least he doesn't poo on us ! Purrs

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  6. Never thought I would say this, but yes, I choose Dracula! We had one horrid flea incident with Pip way back in the day - never again! I'm kind of OCD when it comes to preventing creepy crawlies of any kind.

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  7. Ooooooh! That squirrel IS cute! But I'll pass on fleas and the plague.

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    1. Err ... I meant, I'll pass on GETTING fleas and the plague ... not that I will pass them on to other people.

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  8. I want the Dracula definitely. paws down. Thank you for the informative post had no idea about the connection between fleas and the plague

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  9. I use this on my dog Victor. He is a flea magnet... and maybe a vampire.

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  10. Interesting approach to flea protection. We think we'd take our chances of being bitten by Dracula.

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  11. I would definitely prefer Dracula - especially if he is as cute as your paid actor. :) Fleas are so gross! It is really scary that the Black Plague is still a threat today. I have seen the news stories about people who have gotten it here in the US!
    -Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net

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  12. I think fleas are the WORST - and I would clearly rather have Dracula bite my dog or me for that matter. When I looked at your list it was quite obvious honestly that Dracula is a better alternative!! lol!

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  13. I lived in AZ and spent time at the Grand Canyon but never saw that sign! Crazy scary! I'll take the Dracula bite! I'm loving Bravecto for my dogs.
    Love & biscuits
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  14. I lived in AZ and spent time at the Grand Canyon but never saw that sign! Crazy scary! I'll take the Dracula bite! I'm loving Bravecto for my dogs.
    Love & biscuits
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  15. Dracula!I'd choose him any day over fleas!I had no idea the Plague still existed and I really wish I hadn't clicked on that image link. *shivers*

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  16. I just got back from Yosemite and they had the same Plague warnings! For a few moments, I really just considered going back to the cabin. Very scary. I've always hated fleas, and now I hate them even more. I'm on Team Chocula! On a side note, I am happy to see Lela looking so much better.

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  17. Well... it depends. Is it the kind of biting where Dracula bites you and drains you and kills you? Or does he turn you into a vampire?

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  18. Hahahahaha this post is brilliant.
    Dracula

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  19. Great info! Flea and tick preventative is so important!

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  20. HAHA, Dracula, of course. No contest.

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  21. I truly enjoyed this post and learned as I laughed! Fleas are so nasty and we work hard to prevent them. Pierre feels he does his part by chasing squirrels out of our yard. LOL!

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