What Are Fleas?

Fleas are the most common skin parasite found on dogs and cats. These small wingless insects feed sporadically by biting the pet and sucking blood.

Problems Associated With Fleas

Fleas are irritating to the pet. Many pets will spend hours chasing fleas over their body from one end to the other.
Some pets will develop an allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva. As the flea feeds, the saliva is injected under the skin. Flea allergy dermatitis is very itchy. Many pets will be obsessed with chewing and scratching. The already inflamed skin may become sore or infected. As the allergy progresses, your pet may lose some of its hair and have thickening of the skin that may be discolored.

Tapeworms are transmitted by the flea. The flea serves as a necessary part of the tapeworm’s life cycle. As the pet grooms itself these infected fleas are ingested; allowing the tapeworm to develop in the pet.

Treatment to make the pet more comfortable, along with treating the sores, infections and inflammation, are more effective if we can also eliminate the fleas from both the pet and environment.

Flea Life Cycle

Adult fleas spend ninety percent (90%) of the time on the pet. The life cycle of the flea involves several stages. Adult female fleas lay eggs on the pet after taking a blood meal. When the animal shakes, scratches, or moves around, these eggs fall to the ground. After hatching the inactive worm-like larvae will molt twice and then pupate. The pupal stage involves a cocoon that is very protective against the insecticides and growth regulators used to control fleas. This pupal or cocoon stage is variable in its length. It is the pupa that develops into the hungry adult flea.

Diagnosis Of Fleas

The most obvious evidence of fleas is to find the actual flea under the hair scurrying across the skin. When fewer numbers of fleas are present, a small dark “coffee ground-like” material can be found next to the skin. We call this flea dirt; actually it is digested blood that the adult flea has left behind. In heavily infested areas. eggs and larvae may be seen in the pet’s bedding. Tapeworms are another sign that there is a flea exposure problem

Flea Highlights

• Adult fleas spend 90% of their time on the pet.
• Female fleas lay their eggs on the pet after feeding.
• These eggs fall off into the area where the pet is living. (ie; carpet, pet bedding, under shrubs in yard)
• The pupa stage (cocoon) is very resistant to insecticides & growth regulators.
• Insecticides only kill adult fleas.
• Growth regulators sterilize female fleas and kill flea eggs and larvae.
• A good flea prevention program involves a proper pretreatment plan for both the pet and environment.
• When treating a flea problem, it may be necessary to re-treat the environment in 10-20 days to properly kill the newly emerging adults (from the cocoon stage).

Treating Your Home For Fleas

Vacuum – all rugs and carpets, furniture, especially between and under cushions and couches. Remove and dispose of vacuum bag.
Mop – all concrete and vinyl floors.
Wash – all bedding.
Pets – remove and clean all pet bedding. Take flea-carrying pets in for professional flea bath while your home is being treated. Remove all pets from home during treatment. (Fish bowls and aquariums may remain if properly covered.)
Floors – including closet floors, must be cleared of all objects to give access to all floor surfaces
Spray – spray a light mist of Siphotrol Plus II Premise Spray throughout house. Repeat in 10-14 days if needed.

Flea Control Products

Insect Growth Regulators (IGR):
The IGRs sterilize female fleas and kill the flea eggs and larvae. These two actions help to halt the flea life cycle and prevent the population growth in the environment. We prefer Siphotrol Premise Spray.

Systemics:
Systemics get into the animals system (blood). When the adult flea takes a blood meal the medication will cause the flea to die. We recommend Revolution.

This information may also be printed for your convenience: Flea Cycle