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Important Facts about Fleas
and Flea Prevention
Fleas:
- Fleas are wingless insects that feed on the blood of such animals as
dogs, cats, ferrets, rodents, rabbits, birds and humans.
- The life-cycle of the flea consists of the eggs, three larval stages,
pupa and adult.
- The adult flea prefers to stay with the host animal. A few fleas may
leave occasionally only when populations exceed 200 or more for an
average size dog and there is another lesser parasitized animal nearby. For
every flea on the host there are hundreds of eggs and larva in the
environment, most heavily located in carpet or areas where the pet rests.
- The life-cycle of the flea, from egg to adult, can vary from 14-140 days
depending upon the temperature and humidity. Despite the fact that
temperatures below 50 degrees induce hibernation of fleas outdoors, this
does not in any way reduce or end indoor infestation problems. Infestation
problems will persist until both the animal and the environment in which it
lives has been treated.
Although fleas can be a problem
for your pets all year, flea populations typically explode about 5–6
weeks after the weather starts
to warmup.
EGG STAGE
A female lays about 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. In one day, a single
female flea can lay up to 50 eggs. The eggs aren't sticky – they
quickly fall off your pet and into areas of your home. In 2-10 days, the
eggshatch.
After hatching, the larvae head toward dark places around your home and
feed on "flea dirt" – flea feces containing partially
digested blood from your pet. The larvae grow, molt twice, then spin
cocoons, where they grow topupae.
Immature fleas spend approximately 8–9 days in their cocoon. During this
time, they continue to grow to adulthood, waiting for the signals that
it is time toemerge.
Full-grown adults detect heat, vibrations and exhaled carbon dioxide
from inside their cocoons, telling them a host is nearby. The adults
leave their cocoons, hop onto a host, find a mate and begin the life
cycle all over again.
The entire life cycle can be as short as 2-4 weeks.
Adult fleas on your pet are only the tip of the infestation
iceberg:
Brand Products break the flea life cycle by killing adult fleas
before they can lay their eggs. FRONTLINE Plus provides
additional flea control by killing flea eggs and larvae.
Diseases associated with flea infestation:
Flea Allergy
Certain individuals can develop allergies to the bite of the flea (flea
saliva), which results in severe itching, rash and skin infections. An allergic
animal or human can suffer immensely from bites of a small number of fleas that
a normal individual would hardly notice. These allergies can be difficult to
diagnose at times due to the very small numbers of fleas required to cause
severe symptoms in a hypersensitive animal.
Tapeworms
One common intestinal parasite, a species of tapeworm requires the flea
for part of its lifecycle. Animals that have fleas can ingest the fleas by
grooming and thus become infected with the tapeworms. Tapeworm segments look
like grains of rice, and are frequently noted around the anus or tail of the
animal or in the stool.
Flea Anemia
Although most frequently seen in very young or small animals, flea
anemia can occur in any individual if heavily infested. Since fleas eat blood,
with a heavy flea burden or if parasitized over a long period of time, blood
loss can be extensive. Weakness, decreased appetite and death can occur if not
treated in time.
Feline Panleukopenia (Distemper)
Studies have shown that feline distemper can be transmitted from
infected cats to susceptible cats via saliva from fleas that have jumped from
one animal to another.
Why over-the-counter (OTC) products (topicals, collars,
shampoos, dips) don’t work?
- Most OTC products contain insecticides that only kill the
adult flea. This does not help control flea problems since much of the flea
population are eggs, and larva.
- Most OTC products require that the flea bite the animal
in order to get the insecticide or don’t prevent fleas from biting before
they die. This does not protect the allergic animal. Hypersensitive animals
will continue to itch and have skin infections due to continued bites.
- Most OTC products only treat the day of application or
for only a few days. Although the current population of adult fleas may die
following a treatment, re-infection immediately following the treatment or
soon after is very common.
- Natural products such as brewers yeast have not been show
to work in scientific studies, and certainly should not be used in allergic
animals.
WARNING about over-the-counter (OTC) flea
products {topicals, collars, shampoos, dips}
CAUTION !! Some OTC products contain an
ingredient that can be extremely toxic and often fatal in cats. Products not
labeled for cats should NEVER be used in cats, and instructions should always be
followed when using OTC flea products in cats. Some breeds of dogs and some
canine individuals have also shown sensitivities to these products. Symptoms of
toxicity can range from salivation and muscle tremors, to seizures, coma and
death.
We do not recommend any OTC flea products.
Every year we see several cats that have been inadvertently poisoned by OTC flea
products. Some cats have recovered after aggressive treatment, a few have died.
Our recommendations for flea treatment and prevention
We
recommend Frontline. Frontline is a topical liquid that is applied
to the skin every 30 days for protection against fleas and ticks.
- 98-100% of all fleas, eggs and larvae are dead within 24
hours of application.
- Can prevent Lyme disease by killing ticks before they
have a chance to spread the disease.
- Provides protection from new fleas by spreading through
the skin within 24 hours
- Provides protection for 30 –60 days depending on the
individual. Allergic animals should have the
product applied every 30 days.
- Does not wash out. Animals can be groomed or swim.
( We have found that the product is not as effective when
applied the day before, of, or after a bath. The natural oils which help the
product spread are lessened by bathing. Thus we recommend that the product
not be applied the day before, of or after a bath.)
- Approved for use in very young animals, as well as
pregnant or nursing mothers.
Frontline can be used year-round which is important for an
allergic animal or seasonally if you choose. We recommend prevention for the
non-allergic animal between April and November. This can vary greatly depending
upon the weather patterns and temperatures for a given year,
A note about Advantage: This product is also excellent at flea
prevention. We are not using this product at this time because of the new line
of the product for dogs called Advantix. Advantix is effective
against fleas and ticks and was produced to compete with Frontline for
the duel use. The product, however, is toxic to cats. Our concern with this new
product is that Advantix could be inadvertently applied or rubbed on to a
cat by a dog in the same household and lead to a toxic or fatal reaction. In
addition, cats on regular advantage are not protected from ticks.
It is also important that the environment be treated if you are treating a
current infestation:
- Vacuum the carpet. Make sure you throw away the bag or
clean the canister or the eggs and larvae will just hatch and jump back out.
- Clean bedding or blankets in hot water.
- Purchase a flea fogger or call a professional.
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