Fleas
'They're Everywhere! They're Everywhere!' Once fleas are around, they populate quickly and are difficult to remove. Let's figure out not only how to know they're there, but also how to keep them from coming (or get rid of them).
Under Construction
What are Fleas
And how do I know if my pet has them
Fleas are a teeny tiny ectoparasite that are skillful at finding a warm environment with access to a blood meal to thrive and reproduce. While they do not fly, they are excellent jumpers and can move quickly across/through a pet's hair. Fleas will take a blood meal from your pet, lay eggs on the pet, those eggs will transition to larvae that find an ideal environment (such as bedding or carpet) and repeat the cycle over and over. For every flea that you actively see on your pet, there are unfortunately likely hundreds more in their living environment.
How do you know if you pet has fleas?
There are a few different ways to determine if you pet has a current infestation of fleas. Often you will begin to notice them chewing and scratching excessively at their skin. Fleas like to frequent the neck around the ears, the base of their tail and the abdomen between their legs most frequently. Parting the hair to assess at home is one option for determination. There are also some wonderfully designed comes called Flea Combs, that have teeth placed close enough together that they will comb out fleas, as well as flea dirt.
Flea dirt, contrary to the name, is actually the feces of the flea (gross... we know.). Interestingly enough, even if fleas are not present, their 'dirt' likely will be and be a positive diagnosis.
Difference between Flea Dirt and 'regular' outdoor dirt:
Once you have combed your pet, if you have only found dirt, how do you know if it is from outside or from the fleas? Lightly tap the comb onto a tissue or paper towel so that the particles are transitioned onto that surface. You will then be able to take a few drops of liquid (often tap water or isopropyl alcohol work well), and drop them on top of the dirt. Regular dirt will not change in any way, however flea dirt will begin to excrete what looks to be a red/orange/brown coloration around the dirt pieces. You can further test this by smearing the dirt particles to see this color change better.
Prevention
Prevention Product Options:
​'What type of prevention should I be using for my pet?' One of the most common questions that we receive from pet owners, but one that does not have any singular correct answer. The most important thing is that your pet is on a prescription flea and tick product purchased from a reputable source. Counterfeit and unregulated products are a danger for your pet. Therefore, buying from your veterinarian, or an associated veterinary based pharmacy, is the best way to guarantee you are getting the true product. Fleas are great building up resistance to products and the prescription products have safety and efficacy testing done for them, while same cannot be said for over the counter products you will find. The biggest consideration will be owner preference (of administration) and what your pet will best tolerate.
Options include:
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Oral: Many companies make flavored chewable preventatives that are wonderful for our food motivated pets or in homes that we are concerned about frequent petting where a topical option would potentially be removed (ex. a home with small children). Benefits - no concern on efficacy based on absorption of the product, more products are being made to now also include prevention for heartworm disease and no risk of topical irritation. Risks - Gastrointestinal Upset (vomiting/diarrhea) is the most common undesirable effect that we see with these products. If this is noted with your pet within 24 hours of product administration, consideration of a different brand/product flavor or ingredient makeup or transition to a different application modality would be recommended. Creekside Vet staff will be able to guide you through this process.
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Topical: This option has been present and used in the veterinary community for many years. It is a great alternative for pets that do not take oral medications well or pets that are difficult to handle/be around regularly (ex. outdoor cats). Benefits - Administration that does not require ingestion of a product, no risk that it will be spit out to question efficacy, gastrointestinal upset is a less common concern with these products. Risks - Bathing/swimming may affect efficacy if done within the first 24 hours of administration, owner risk of touching the product after application (if this occurs, wash your hands thoroughly, as it is a product that absorbs through the skin), pet self grooming the product off of them (more commonly a concern for cats). Please note some dog products are toxic for cats, so if you live in a dog and cat household please ask your Creekside Vet staff for recommendations.
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Collar: Another product type that has been on the market for quite some time and our longest lasting product option (usually approximately 5-8 months depending on daily lifestyle). Due to the cost of the product versus the average length of efficacy, it is also our most cost effective option. When recommending this product, we will only recommend the Seresto brand of flea and tick collars, and only purchased through a reputable source (as counterfeits seem to be notably common for this product specifically). Benefits - 5+ month duration of efficacy, provides a hands off prevention approach (no monthly administrations). Risks - purchase of a new collar timely to expiration (approximately every 6 months) to prevent lapse in coverage, collar must be worn at all times for efficacy, concern of efficacy for pets that are frequently in water.
When to Give Prevention:
​Our practice currently recommends that any administration choice is continued year round. For some products this means monthly administration, others every 3 months and some approximately every 6 months. Following each products administration recommendations will be crucial to prevent lapse in coverage.
Additionally, if you are battling a current flea infestation, it is necessary to keep your pet on consistent prevention for at least 3 consecutive months. This is to hopefully treat through the entire lifecycle of any flea that may be in the environment. It is best to continue longer if possible, but 3 months is our minimum recommendation.
Products offered both in clinic and on our online pharmacy (MyVetStore):
Popular Products offered currently only through our online pharmacy (MyVetStore):
Home Treatment
Now that we've covered how to treat the pets, we still have to know how to break the cycle and get them out of the house. There are 3 important ways to complete this successfully.
1. Vaccum any carpeted or cloth/fabric areas that can not be put in the washer frequently: According to both resources in the first section, 'vacuuming is shown to remove up to 95% of flea eggs as well as some larvae and adults'. Once areas have been vacuumed, it is then important that the vacuum be emptied into the trash (or a smaller grocery bag) to be tied up and taken out of the house immediately. Vacuuming them up, but leaving them in the vacuum, allows them time not only to hatch, but to find a way to crawl back out.
2. Wash any bedding/blankets/couch covers/etc. that are able to be: Washing bedding will help to remove eggs and larvae from all the cracks and crevices that they can hide away in. Washing frequently through the treatment process will be necessary to preventing reinfestation.
3. Contact an extermination company or purchase a recommended 'flea bomb' treatment to treat the living enviorment: While we would like to hope that cleaning, cleaning, cleaning will get at these pesky little parasites, unfortunately they are very small, and sneaky. Completing a treatment on your pet's living environment (often your home) will help to ensure no creepy crawlies overstay their visit. We have some products in clinic that we can recommend at request if an exterminator is not an option.