Flea Control That Really Works
Flea Control Facts: Adult fleas spend most of their life on the pet. Their eggs are generally laid on the pet, but fall to the surroundings within minutes. It is in the surroundings that the eggs hatch into larvae, mature into pupae, and then develop into adult fleas. Within minutes of becoming an adult, these hungry fleas are on your pet to feed and perpetuate their life cycle. So, 90-95% of the potential flea population will not be on your pets. Fleas flourish in warm, moist conditions, and are often found in some stage of development year-round, especially indoors. Flea collars alone, Brewer’s Yeast, Eucalyptus, Bay leaves and Electronic Flea Collars do not help in most cases. Flea Control Has Become Simpler: Starting in the mid-1990s flea control has really improved and simplified. We used to suggest shampoos, dips, powders, sprays, room foggers, yard sprays and even collars for effective flea control. In most cases, we now suggest one of four products, Program, Advantage, Revolution or Frontline. Allergic pets often benefit from using Program and Advantage together. What do these products do, and which one is best for my pet? Program: Program Best For: Inside cats and dogs, and those that don’t take long walks. Yards that are not visited by the neighbor’s cats or wildlife. Limitations: Since it doesn’t kill the adult fleas you should use some flea killing product for a quick start. If you walk your dog a lot, if your cat is an outside cat, or if your backyard is visited by the neighborhood cats or other wildlife, you may never get ahead of the problem. Every cat and dog in your house must be on this product for it to be effective. It doesn’t kill ticks. Advantage: Advantage is a topical insecticide that comes in a four-month pack. Each measured applicator is applied to the base of the head in cats, and between the shoulders in dogs (and along the back in larger dogs). It doesn’t repel fleas but it kills adult fleas very quickly. We often hear that an application on Monday solves a flea problem by Tuesday. Each application will last one month. Though the medication is an effective insecticide, we have found it to be very safe, even on cats. Best For: Dogs and cats that go for walks. Pets that are difficult to give oral medications. Pets that aren’t bathed more than once a month. Pets that don’t spend time in the swimming pool, rivers, lakes, etc. Limitations: Advantage will rinse off with repeated shampooing or lengthy exposure to water. It has been noted that some white animals may show a slight yellowing to the coat. We haven’t experienced this. It doesn’t kill ticks. Revolution: Revolution is a topical medication that prevents heartworm infection, as well as controlling fleas, ear mites, sarcoptic mites and some ticks. It is applied monthly to the back of the head in cats, and between the shoulders in dogs (and along the back in larger dogs). Revolution is a convenient way to address multiple parasites with a single, monthly medication. Best For: Cats and dogs whose owners desire the convenience of a single medication for control of multiple parasites. Revolution is the only heartworm preventive we currently recommend for cats. Limitations: Revolution does not protect against all types of ticks. It must be used monthly as directed, without breaks, in order to act as an effective heartworm preventive. Frontline: Frontline is a topical insecticide that comes in a three pack. Each measured applicator is applied to the base of the head in cats, and between the shoulders in dogs. It doesn’t repel fleas but it will kill fleas quickly, like Advantage. Frontline states that its product will give three months of flea protection and one month of tick protection. We still suggest that it can be used once monthly, if needed. It doesn’t rinse off, so it is effective on dogs needing frequent bathing or those that are in water a lot. Best For: Dogs that are bathed frequently, or are wet a lot. It can also be used every three months if your flea problem allows. Dogs exposed to ticks. Limitations: Though it is approved for cats, we are not currently suggesting its use in most cats. We are also selective in its use on small dogs. It has been noted that some white animals may show a slight yellowing to the coat. We haven’t experienced this. With any of these new flea products, we can still use any of the old products at the same time without increasing the toxicity. So, in cases where we use the above products without adequate success, we can still treat the environment using conventional flea treatments. If fleas are still bugging you, give us a call. We can tailor a solution to your needs with the present flea control products. |
