MERIDIAN VETERINARY PRACTICE LTD
11 Edith Avenue, Peacehaven
East Sussex BN10 8JB
Tel: 01273 585386
Fax: 01273 580874
vets@meridianvets.co.uk
www.meridianvets.co.uk
ALL ABOUT
FLEAS
Fleas are a menace to dogs, cats and sometimes rabbits. Most of
the fleas found on dogs and cats are cat fleas. If your dog or cat
is scratching the most likely explanation is that they have been
bitten by a flea.
Fleas hardly ever jump from one pet to another – they are
acquired from the environment. Fleas infect the environment by
producing eggs. These eggs hatch into larvae, then pupae and
then adults in 3 – 8 weeks. The adult flea jumps on to an animal
and starts feeding. After 24 hours an adult flea can produce 4050 eggs a day, which then re-infect the environment.
Fleas bite our pets and suck their blood. The place where the
flea bites is itchy to the dog or cat. Our pets then lick, chew or
scratch this area. This self trauma can result in major skin
damage and infection which can need extensive treatment.
Fleas are the number one cause of skin trouble in dogs and
cats.
In many cases pets develop flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) which
means that just one or two bites will inflame large areas of the
skin and cause misery.
We recommend veterinary spot on treatments for flea
prevention. These products are available to registered clients.
The products are applied to the skin at the back of your pet’s
neck once a month. You will probably need to use 3 or 4 different
sites on the neck to make sure you get the liquid on the skin and
not on the fur. The liquid then spreads through the coat and kills
the live fleas on your pet within 24 hours [before more eggs are
produced].
If your pet has picked up fleas, we recommend you treat the
house with a spray to prevent the eggs/larvae/pupae from
developing into adult fleas and re-infesting your pet.
You may have seen spot on flea treatments in the supermarket or
pet shop. These are not the same as prescription flea products.
Pet shop and supermarket products are generally much less
effective. We do not recommend flea collars, flea shampoos, flea
powders or flea traps as these are less effective options.
If you use veterinary spot on products every month on your dogs
and cats you usually will not need a household control as well.
If you intend to walk your dog near sheep fields or are planning a
trip to the New Forest or Dartmoor you may wish to treat your
dog with a product that prevents ticks as well as fleas.
There is an injection available for cats only against fleas. One
injection is given every six months. This is an expensive option,
but can be useful if your cat is difficult to handle.
Pretty much every dog or cat will get fleas at some stage of their
lives. Here at Meridian we see so much misery caused to pets by
fleas that we strongly feel preventing your pets from getting
bitten by fleas is the best approach.
Please ask at reception about flea control. Alternatively our
qualified veterinary nurses run FREE clinics please ask for an
appointment!