Fleas are the most common external parasite on our dogs and cats. In Texas, fleas can be a problem year round – at Pearland Animal Hospital, we have seen dogs and cats covered in fleas in January. Our temperate climate and the fact that there is a lot of wildlife and increasing numbers of feral cats in our neighborhoods make fleas very common. Adult fleas make up only about 5% of the flea population; the remaining 95% is in the animal’s environment (your house and yard). A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, and up to 2000 in a lifetime!
Fleas can cause several diseases in our pets:
1. Flea allergic dermatitis
2. Flea anemia (can kill a pet when severe)
3. Feline Infectious Anemia (Haemobartonellosis)
4. Cat Scratch Fever (cat is carrier for the human disease)
5. Tapeworms
Life cycle
Eggs are laid from adult fleas in the hair coat and are designed to fall off the host. They are resistant to insecticides, but susceptible to various insect growth regulators. Larvae develop from these eggs in the environment and feed on adult flea feces (blood) that fall of the pet. Larvae are susceptible to traditional insecticides and insect growth regulators. Larvae eventually spin cocoons and develop into pupae. Pupae are resistant to freezing, desiccation, and insecticides. Pupae can lie dormant for many months - they are stimulated by vibration, warming, and increased carbon dioxide to hatch into adults. These adult fleas find the pet within seconds of emergence, but they can survive a few days without a host in a suitable environment. New fleas begin feeding within hours of finding a dog or cat. Once a blood meal has been taken, the flea can survive only a short time if it is dislodged from the host. The average life span of an adult flea is 4-6 weeks. The entire life cycle of a flea can be completed in as few as 16 days!
Flea Control Recommendations
For a flea free pet, year round flea control is essential. Luckily, there are numerous effective and long lasting flea control products to choose from. Flea shampoos and sprays are effective to rid the pet of adult fleas, but they are temporary at best. Flea collars and powders are usually ineffective. Dogs and cats will need a monthly flea control product (oral or topical) to remain flea free. If you have a flea infestation, treatment of the house and surrounding area (yard) will also be required. Because of their life cycle, it can sometimes take 2-4 months to become flea free. For your home – wash all your bedding and the pet’s bedding, vacuum floors/furniture thoroughly, and apply an approved spray/powder to floors (something with an insect growth regulator). For the yard – use an approved spray/granule on the lawn and repeat as needed.
At Pearland Animal Hospital, we carry the following flea products:
Dogs
Sentinel – oral, sterilizes the egg
Frontline Plus– topical, controls eggs and kills adult fleas
Advantix II - topical, controls eggs and kills adult fleas
Advantage Multi – topical, kills adult fleas
Comfortis – oral, kills adults
Trifexis – oral, kills adults
Capstar – oral, kills adults (fastest kill), only lasts 1-2 days in system
Cats
Revolution – topical, kills adult fleas
Advantage Multi – topical, kills adult fleas
Frontline Plus - topical, controls eggs and kills adult fleas
If you see fleas on your pets, make an appoitment with us today to discuss the best treatment protocol.
-Dr. Tricia Trunek, DVM
