The common flea is one of the major threats to the comfort, health and general welfare of your pet.  Fleas feed on the blood of all animals.  Most of their life cycle is spent off the animal.  Since only the adult state of the flea's life cycle is found on the animal, it is safe to say that for every flea seen on the pet there are 10-100 fleas developing in the immediate environment.

Flea Dermatitis

Severe dermatitis and itching may follow infestation by fleas.  Most often fleas can be found around the animal's rump, tail, lower back and belly.  The feces of the flea are seen as small black (pepper grain) specks.  About 15% of dogs and cats will become sensitized after exposure and will develop an allergic reaction to the flea saliva.  When these animals are infested with fleas, they bite and scratch almost constantly.  It takes only one flea to set off the intense reaction in the allergic animal.  Severe skin damage then follows:  the coat becomes dull, dry and scaly and the skin becomes bruised and inflamed.  There is often loss of hair as a result of the scratching and biting.  Sores, often called hot spots, commonly develop as a result of this self-inflicted trauma.

Treatment of the Animal's Skin Disease

Injectable and oral anti-inflammatory medications are usually administered to the more severe cases in order to break the "itch-scratch" cycle.  If secondary infection is present, antibiotics may be given.  Topical medications are sometimes used in the more mild cases, but they have the disadvantage that the animal can usually lick the medication off before it can soothe the inflamed tissues.

Frontline Topical Solution

Frontline is an effective and simple way to prevent and terminate flea and tick infestations on cats and dogs, and thereby in households.  This once a month product is a topical liquid that is applied to one or more areas of skin behind the pet's neck and back.  Frontline works by killing adult fleas and ticks very quickly after they come into contact with your pet.  It attacks the flea nervous system, disabling fleas even before they can get a chance to bite.  This feature makes Frontline the treatment of choice for pets with flea allergies, where not being bitten even once is crucial.  Although deadly to fleas, Frontline is extremely safe for both you and your pet.  It can even be used on puppies and kittens.  It is also effective for dogs that swim or are bathed regularly using mild non-medicated grooming shampoos.  Frontline is also effective in ridding your pet's living environment of developing fleas as research has shown that the tiny amounts or Frontline that comes off the pet in the shed hair and dander, will kill any developing flea larva in the pets environment.  Thus this product will prevent household infestation and help to treat already infested homes.

Use of Sentinel to Prevent Flea Infestation of Your Pet

Sentinel is an insect development inhibitor which is given to your pet orally, once a month, with a full meal.  It prevents eggs laid by fleas feeding on your pet from developing, thereby breaking the flea life cycle.  Sentinel is NOT an insecticide and is very safe for your pet.  In fact, tests have shown that it has no adverse effects on health, growth, or reproduction.  It is even safe for pregnant dogs and safe for puppies and kittens as young as six weeks.  We highly recommend treating year round due to the mild winters we have been having in the area. 

Please note:  Sentinel will only prevent flea eggs from developing into new adult fleas.  If an adult flea or fleas jump on your pet, this product will not kill them.  Therefore, you may need to use an adulticide shampoo, spray, powder, or dip if your pet is being irritated by adult fleas.  Any one of these products are safe to use with Sentinel.

Flea Shampoos

Shampoos are only effective in killing the fleas which happen to be feeding on the animal at the time of bathing.  Once rinsed, there is no residual insecticidal effect.

Flea Collars

Flea collars are effective in the cat and also perform well in small, short-haired dogs.

Mists and Powders

These products can be effective, when properly applied.  They are applied by brushing the hair forward (so that the hairs stand on end) and applying the product to the skin.  You should start at the head of the animal and work towards the tail.  After the insecticide is applied, the coat is brushed gently to spread the material onto the skin and hair.

A CAUTION for Cats and Young Animals

When treating cats, puppies or kittens, it is important to check the label to make sure that the product is safe to use on these animals.  Bathing with a mild flea shampoo or a grooming shampoo will mechanically remove fleas from puppies and kittens.  Treatment of the environment and the mother should prevent re-infestation.

Controlling Infestation in the Home and the Outside Environment

Professional Exterminator

Professional extermination is effective and thorough, but can be expensive.  This may be the best route for individuals with very large homes.

Home Owner Applied Insecticide Foggers and Premise Sprays

When properly used, foggers and premise sprays can be very effective in controlling flea infestations.  We recommend the Mycodex Environmental Control aerosol room fogger.  This fogger will treat up to 6000 cubic feet of unobstructed room space.  It contains both short acting adult flea killing insecticides and Ovikill 2, an insect growth regulator that will kill flea eggs and flea larva for up to 7 months after a single application.

 
Life Cycle of the Flea

            Eggs            ®            Larvae            ®                    Pupae          ®           Adults

                                                                        1                                                              2

                                    1.  Insect growth regulator blocks development of eggs and larvae

                                    2.  Quick acting insecticide kills the adult

It should be noted that the pupa is encased within a cocoon which protects it from various chemicals which are used to treat the home.  For this reason, it is very important, even after killing frosts, that the pets continue to be treated for a minimum of one month after treating the house.

Recommended Method for Using the Mycodex Fogger

A.        Read instructions on the product carefully.  Be sure that all pets (especially birds and fish) are removed from the area before treatment.  Dogs and cats should be treated with an appropriate adulticide flea product if they are infested.

B.        Vacuum thoroughly before treatment.  Mothballs in the vacuum bag will kill the fleas.

C.        Launder your pet's bedding prior to treatment.

D.        Spray the fogger according to directions on the label.  Concentrate on areas where your pet(s) frequent and remember to spray poorly exposed areas such as under furniture.

E.         Leave the house or treated rooms for the required time and then ventilate as directed.

It is very important to use an adequate number of foggers.   One fogger will treat 6000 cubic feet of unobstructed space.  In homes with many small rooms we recommend one fogger for every 2 adjoining rooms to which the pet has access.

Yard and Environment Treatment

We recommend treating the yard environment in heavily infested areas every 2 to 3 weeks.  Carbaryl (Sevin) or Diazinon are effective and can be applied with a garden hose type sprayer.