Flea control

Why treat fleas?

• At best there will just be the itchy bites to manage.
• Your kitten could become allergic to the flea bites and develop ’flea allergy dermatitis’, an itchy and scabby condition that also causes hair loss.
• Fleas can also transmit tapeworms to your kitten.

Treatments

These are divided into two categories:

1. those that kill the adult fleas on your pet before they have the chance to lay any eggs
2. those that stop the life cycle of the flea at the egg or larval stage so that new fleas do not hatch out and get onto your kitten.

There are a lot of products and the choice can be bewildering, so please discuss the best package for your household with us.

In this practice we usually recommend the use of ‘Frontline Combo’ and ‘Indorex’ spray for initial routine flea control. This can usually be followed by the continual use of ‘Frontline Combo’. However situations vary and it is always worthwhile asking our vets and nurses for advice.

Products available for your pet

A word of warning - Recently spot on products have appeared in pet shops and supermarkets. Many of these are based on ’pyrethrin’ drugs, ’sheep dip’ chemicals. We believe these are less safe and far less effective.

‘Frontline Combo’ is available in a pipette that is applied to the back of the neck every 5 weeks and can be used in kittens from 8 weeks of age. It has a unique 2-in-1 formulation that kills adult fleas, ticks and lice on your pet. It also prevents flea multiplication in your home by putting a stop to the development of eggs, larvae and pupae. So, by treating your pet, you can also keep your home flea-free.

‘Stronghold’ is a spot on which is applied to back of neck every four weeks and can treat adult fleas, roundworms, ear mites and the fox mange mite Sarcoptes. It is not effective against tapeworms.

‘Program’ is an insect growth inhibitor that can be administered in a tablet given with food or an injection once a month. It does not however kill adult fleas, just renders them infertile.

Products for your home

‘Indorex’ spray will kill adult fleas present in the pet’s environment and also prevents flea eggs and larvae from developing into adults, hence breaking the flea life cycle and providing continuous protection for up to 12 months. Do not use it near fish!