Flea Treatments
This information page is not designed to replace more detailed descriptions the flea's life cycle, or the pharmacology of the various insecticidal preparations available. What it will do is to give an overview of the common types of treatment and show you the effectiveness of common drugs against fleas, allowing you to plan an effective flea control programme for you pet.
Please feel free to ask us for further advice, or phone the surgery. For prescription medicine always follow the dispensing instruction. If using over the counter medicine please be sure to weigh your pet properly.
The Flea
Fleas are a very common parasite among our dogs, cats and rabbits; in fact any pet will get fleas from time to time, often without their owners ever noticing. The fleas that infest our pets DO NOT infest humans as well, although some people can receive very itchy bites.
The adult flea spends all its life on the host animal, rarely venturing off. Eggs (up to 400 from each female) are laid in the coat, but the majority fall off into the carpets and bedding, anyplaces where the pet lies. The eggs and larvae can remain dormant in houses for over a year if no suitable animals are available to feed from. The effect of fleas on an animal varies from mild to severe irritation. The worst affected individuals suffer from an allergic reaction to the flea saliva! In this case it needs only a very few flea bites to produce a severe skin reaction.
There are a variety of symptoms of flea infestation:
- tiny black specks of flea 'dirt' in the coat, especially around the rump.
- small spots and scabs on the skin, especially on the rump, but also elsewhere on the trunk.
- larger areas of 'eczema', scabs & infection.
- scratching can be mild, or there may be intense irritation.
Remedies
Fortunately, we have effective remedies available to deal with the problem. However, it is important to remember that prevention is better than cure.
POWDERS (not recommended) are not very long-lasting, and are not very effective.
SHAMPOOS (not recommended) may be of value in a heavy infestation as a primary measure. It is not effective in flea allergic animal.
FLEA COLLARS are very variable in effect. Most are pretty useless, and some cats may get a skin reaction. However a new type of flea collars are available in the surgery. These are the best type we have found and are based on a non insecticidal product and the collar will let your cat escape if he gets hooked up on it.
SPRAYS -Some animals dislike the sprays intensely. Cats may be safely and painlessly held by the scuff, and dogs should be held firmly by the collar. Frontline spray has stood the test of time very well. Application at regular intervals will deal will prevent flea and lice infestations. Frontline is a pump-action spray, so does not frighten the pet like an aerosol. It lasts for 2 or 3 months with one thorough application, is the most effective spray and is safe on young animals from two day old.
SPOT-ON PREPARATIONS are concentrated and are applied as a small dose to the skin between the shoulder-blades. Their main advantage? they are very easy to use! They must be applied regularly. Frontline, Stroghold and Advantage spot-on are the most effective products. They provide a very safe, rapid and reliable treatment for your pet. Used regularly they will also provide environmental control (an action against flea larvae). Numerous other spot on preparation exist based on older less effective type of insecticide. Please note that some spot on sold over the counter for dogs and rabbits are dangerous for cats.
ORAL PREPARATION and INJECTION Program is given in food once a month (for dogs or cats) or by injection for cats every six months. It is taken by the fleas when they bite and interferes with the ability of the egg to hatch , effectively sterilising the fleas. The few fleas which may be picked up during social contact outdoors are not killed, but they die off naturally quite quickly, or are groomed out by the pet. PROGRAM is quite safe for any age of dog or cat, in pregnancy, during illness, and can be given alongside any other medication. It has no harmful properties for mammals or for the environment.
Always change the animal's bedding after treatment. Use only ONE type of insecticide on an animal at any time unless the vet told you it is safe.
Breaking the Flea life-cycle by Environment treatment
Flea infestations invariably arise from eggs hatched in the animals home environment. Removal of flea eggs and larvae is a very important step in dealing with an outbreak.
Thorough and frequent vacuuming is necessary, but to augment this, we recommend the use of a long-acting household spray. We selected the best and it is available over the counter at the surgery. This spray has an action against adult fleas and larvae.It should be used on all the soft furnishings that the pets come in contact with - carpets, cushions and bottom of curtains. Follow the directions carefully, and be sure not to apply too sparingly.
Y. Gisseleire, Certificate in Veterinary Dermatology, MRCVS
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