Flea Control

We all know that fleas are irritating little beasties. They are highly mobile and can jump easily from animal to animal, sucking blood from pets and their owners.

As most people have experienced, fleas cause irritation while feeding on their ‘host’ causing itching, scratching and rubbing. In small animals, especially kittens, fleas can suck enough blood to cause a life threatening anaemia.

As warmer weather approaches (hopefully!) fleas are beginning to reproduce and multiply. Immature fleas ‘hibernate’ over winter and develop as the temperature increases, into adults. Adult females can lay 500 eggs, or more, in a few days in warm weather, leading to rapid increases in flea numbers over spring and summer. Flea eggs fall off the dog or cat and become widely spread in the animal’s home environment.

Some dogs and cats develop an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas, resulting in severe itching, reddened skin and hair loss, especially along the back close to the tail. One flea bite is all that is needed to set off this inflammatory reaction and usually no fleas are seen on the animal.

Many flea treatment products are available. Frontline™ and Advantage™ are safe to use in puppies and kittens from weaning. They kill fleas within 24 hours, reduce egg production and prevent fleas from biting (very important in dogs with flea allergies). It is fine in animals that do not have an allergy to fleas. Flea collars can help reduce the population but the level of control is variable. Pyrethrin/permethrin washes and sprays act as flea repellents.

Unfortunately flea control is not just as simple as treating the animal involved. In addition all other animals in the house must be treated and if a heavy infestation exists in the home environment flea bombs may be needed. Spraying the kennel with an insecticide helps avoid flea build up.

Now is the right time to get on top of your flea control programme. Come and see us if you have any further queries regarding flea treatments and flea control.