Your poor, miserable dog scratches and chews, flips around, and scratches some more. Panting from exertion, he finally settles down to sleep, but the itching starts again. Frantically, he begins scratching once more. You tell him to stop, and he obeys, but you can see the itching hasn’t stopped, and he is valiantly trying to follow your command. You tell him he is a good boy, and his tail wags listlessly as his hind leg lifts again to scratch.
The itching must stop – for both your sakes!
Fleas are the number one cause of misery in dogs and their owners. A single female flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime, meaning even a few fleas can lead to an imminent infestation. The flea lifecycle is much like that of a butterfly – females lay eggs that become larvae before turning into pupae. Pupae can live for years in their protective cocoons, waiting for something warm to come close. Once a mammal walks by, the pupae can shed their cocoon and jump up to four feet to land on their host – going from hibernation to feasting in less than three seconds!
The Hidden Flea Problem
Worse yet, the fleas you see are not the primary issue – it’s the flea eggs, larvae, and pupae hidden in your carpet, furniture, and bedding that are the real problem. On average, only 5% of the fleas in a room will be on your pet, while 10% are pupae, 35% are larvae, and 50% are flea eggs, all hiding in the carpet and furniture.
Fleas carry serious diseases, though they are rarely seen in the western hemisphere. However, fleas can also carry tapeworms and infect your pet with these nutrient-sucking parasites!
So, while a few fleas may not seem like a problem now, give it a month or two, and you and your poor pet will be knee-deep in these nasty bloodsuckers. Then, the real trouble begins.
How to Get Rid of Fleas
Getting rid of fleas is much easier now than it was even 20 years ago. Drug companies like Novartis®, Pfizer®, and Bayer® have made significant strides in eradicating flea infestations with products like Program™, Revolution™, and Advantage™.
Program™ was the first breakthrough flea product. Released in the mid-90s as a beef-flavored pill for dogs and a sweet-tasting liquid for cats, it revolutionized flea management in the veterinary industry. Still available today, it works as birth control for fleas – they can bite, but they can no longer reproduce. Over time, and with the use of household sprays, the infestation is halted. An injectable form of Program™ was developed for cats, as not all cats liked the liquid form. The oral treatment is a monthly dose, while the injectable lasts for up to six months.
Although this was a breakthrough, it wasn’t fast enough for pets suffering from flea allergies. What was needed was something that killed fleas on contact.
Advantage™ was the next product to hit the market. This topical insecticide is applied to the back of a pet’s neck and guarantees to kill 99% of fleas within 24 hours for up to a month. If Program™ revolutionized flea control, Advantage™ completely transformed it!
Pfizer® took it a step further with Revolution™, a topical treatment applied to the back and neck of pets. Not only does it kill fleas, but it also eliminates ticks, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, and heartworms. It also works against nematode intestinal worms, such as hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. Revolution™ is especially beneficial in hot or humid climates where heartworms and intestinal worms are common concerns.
However, none of these products kill flea eggs, larvae, or pupae in the environment, so infestations can still occur as pupae hatch and jump onto you or your pet. Household sprays that contain methoprene, such as Precor™, can kill pre-adult fleas and are effective for three to four months. Adult fleas in the house can be controlled with sprays that contain pyrethrins, but care must be taken if you have pets, especially cats. Always read the instructions carefully and follow precautions.
Choosing the Best Flea Treatment for Your Pet
What is the best method for you, your pet, and your home? In mild climates where fleas are a year-round problem, it’s easiest to administer a monthly flea control product every four weeks to prevent fleas from taking hold in your home. In areas with cold winters, flea control is unnecessary during the colder months, as fleas stay dormant through the winter. If you live in a region where heartworm is prevalent, have your pet tested first. If clear, a monthly dose of Revolution™ will manage both flea and heartworm problems.
If you don’t have a pet, spray your house and furniture with Precor™ every three months or whenever you notice adult fleas hatching. It will take some time to eliminate the infestation, but eventually, you’ll be flea-free!
Finally, if your pet has suffered through a flea infestation, make sure they are treated for tapeworms. Tapeworms are highly infectious and can be transmitted to humans. Deworming products are available through your veterinarian, along with flea control treatments recommended throughout this article.
