Flea control

Fleas are only found on your puppy for part of their lifecycle, while they are sucking blood from the skin. Fleas lay hundreds of eggs that drop off into the environment, especially in your home. These eggs hatch into larvae that feed on dead skin cells, in carpets and furnishings.The larvae form pupae which may hatch into fleas straight away or may lie dormant for months in the carpets. New baby fleas climb to the top of the carpet fibres and lie in wait for the vibrations of oncoming creatures.

Why treat fleas

At best there will just be the itchy bites to cope with. However your puppy 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 puppy.

Flea treatments

These are divided into two categories:

• those that kill the adult fleas on your pet before they have the chance to lay any eggs
• 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 puppy.

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

Products 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’

Available in a pipette that is applied to the back of the neck every 8 weeks and can be used in puppies 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.

'Frontline Spray'

A quiet, non-aerosol spray that can be applied to your puppy every 3 months. It kills adult fleas and also provides protection against ticks for up to 1 month.

‘Advantage’

A spot on product that is applied to the back of the neck every 4 weeks and kills adult fleas.

‘Stronghold’

A spot on which is applied to the back of the puppy’s neck every 4 weeks and it can treat adult fleas, roundworms, ear mites and the fox mange mite Sarcoptes. It is not effective against tapeworms.

‘Program’

An insect growth inhibitor that can be administered in a tablet given with food once a month. It does not however kill adult fleas, just renders them infertile.

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Products for your home

‘Indorex’ spray

Kills 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!

Our advice

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.