Veterinary Professionals - Vet Pro

jenvetnurse writes "WHAT ARE THEY?
Fleas are small wingless parasites that feed on blood. There are many different types, for example cat flea, dog flea, hedgehog flea even a human flea! Fleas can jump up or down seven inches and sideways thirteen inches. Often we only know they are around because we get bitten or we see their faeces in the animal’s coats. The faeces is actually digested blood which looks like black curvy spots which dissolve into red spots if you brush them onto a wet piece of paper. This is an easy way to check for fleas.
Fleas are not only an annoyance to us and our pets, but they can cause many problems including Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD), tapeworms, skin irritations and, in very small animals fleas can even cause anemia. When a flea bites it is the saliva that causes irritation. Some animals have a bad reaction immediately others may get a secondary skin problem caused by scratching and biting the itchy areas. Flea bites usually look like a small red raised itchy spot and usually our legs and ankles are affected.

Female fleas lay up to 600 eggs in each lifetime! The eggs then become larva then a pupa then an adult. If you have fleas in your home 50% of the population will be eggs, 35% will be larvae, 10% will be pupa and adults. So only thinking you have one or two fleas in your home could be a big mistake. The eggs are laid on the animal but drop onto carpets and the animals bedding until they hatch. Fleas need blood meals to survive or lay eggs, but can survive from two months to one year without feeding. It is quite a common situation where a family moves to a new home to find an explosion of fleas. This is because the house has been empty and the fleas become dormant as they have no hosts to suck blood from until new occupants arrive!
HOW TO GET RID OF THEM….
There are many different products available – which can be confusing. The main thing to remember is that fleas come with many life stages so it is best to treat the adults, the eggs and the larvae. The best product to use is one that suits you and your animal. For example what factors are most important? Do you want an easy to apply product and are prepared to pay extra for that? Or do you want the best product but as inexpensive as possible? Frontline is arguably the best form of flea control check out their website for more information http://frontline.us.merial.com/faq/faq.asp
it comes as a spot-on or a spray. Obviously you do pay for the convenience of a spot-on but the sprays are very good if you use them correctly. Remember the product is highly flammable and I have heard stories of cats that have just been sprayed walking past a hot oven and bursting into flames! The instructions should be read carefully so that you apply the right amount according to the animal’s weight, wear gloves and spray outside preferably.
Advantage is another excellent spot-on product which kills fleas and larvae quickly and it is safe for pregnant dogs and cats. It doesn’t seem to sell as much as Frontline but it is good. Check out their web site for more information. http://www.nofleas.com/default.asp
It is wise to hoover the carpets thoroughly and the inside of sofas and the skirting edges. Then wash the animals bedding and spray as directed a household flea spray all around. Acclaim or Nuvan Staykill are good amongst other products. Beware though as these sprays will kill any fish as they are designed to attack invertebrates.
Flea collars are ok in some cases but often only kill fleas around the head and neck – so they are not very effective.
Program is another product which is recommended – it sterilizes the fleas to stop them breeding. Very clever concept and it is very safe for dogs and cats. But you still have to buy products to kill off the adults. The product is given orally – which can confuse some owners and there have been many cases where (usually elderly) people get the products mixed up and poison their animals accidentally.
Pet shop products tend to be less efficient although they are cheap you may end up only killing some of the fleas and not doing the job properly.
If you take your pet to your local vets the nurses will weigh your animal and decided on the products which suit you, your animal and your situation. Follow the advice and be sure to note on the calendar when the next treatment is due and treat all animals in the house. Flea control can be expensive but if you treat the animals properly and regularly the situation will be controlled and you will have a flea free zone. There is nothing more embarrassing than having friends around for dinner who get bitten by fleas! If you have any comments or questions relating to fleas, flea products and so on please post them in the forum."


RIG Vet Recruitment is the trading name of RIG Veterinary Recruit Limited. Registered in England and Wales number 5452945. Registered Office: The White Cottage, 19 West Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7BS All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2004 by me