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FLEAS

Flea infested dogs, cats, and ferrets come into the clinic chewing, and biting at themselves. Not only is this an annoyance to the animal, it can lead to several health concerns.

Flea allergy dermatitis is one of the top three causes of skin allergies in pets. These animals chew on themselves until they are bald, raw, or infected. Since fleas transmit tapeworms, many of these pets are infected.

Fleas can result in life threatening anemia. A few months ago I had a four year old, flea free cat come to see me because his owner noticed he didn’t want to go outside. The only obvious abnormality was a very loud heart murmur. Since many things can cause a heart murmur his owner agreed to blood tests. The results showed he was suffering from a life threatening anemia caused by an organism called Haemobartonella fells.

This aggressive little organism is contracted through blood sucking parasites such as fleas. One third (33%) of diagnosed Haemobartonella cases end in fatalities. The good news is, after receiving a blood transfusion and antibiotic therapy my patient is “back to his old self’. Fleas literally suck the blood out of the victim. Blood transfusions have saved the lives of many animals severely infested with fleas.

Eradicating fleas is incredibly difficult. A single female flea can lay 2,000 eggs. For every flea seen on the animal there are at least 100 immature fleas in the environment. Environmental control is mandatory to get rid of the problem. Professional exterminator services work the best because over-the-counter foggers/bombs do not get around corners or under furniture.

Many products are on the market to kill fleas on the animal. Liquid products such as sprays or dips are more effective than flea collars. Collars concentrate insecticide over the neck, not over the animal’s entire body. Frontline (available through your veterinarian) is applied to the skin and kills fleas for 3 months. Compared to dips which kill fleas for 14 days or sprays which kill fleas less than 1 week, Frontline is a wonderful alternative. Remember, dog products are not safe to use on cats or ferrets.

Program (Lufenuron) injectable for cats prevents any biting female flea from laying eggs that will hatch. This shot is effective for 6 months. Program is also available for cats in a monthly liquid that is mixed with their food. For dogs, Lufenuron is available as Program (a monthly flea preventative pill) or Sentinel (a heartworm preventative).

The most successful flea control plans use internal, topical, and environmental approaches together.

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