flea facts

Fleas can be a seasonal or year round headache to both animals and their owners. Understanding the life cycle of the flea is the first step to take in order to end this problem. 

	Adult fleas jump on animals to feed and reproduce. They deposit eggs (small white flecks) and feces (small black flecks) on the animals' hair coat. These fall off the animal onto carpeting, furniture, bedding and the lawn. Adult fleas can lay 25-40 eggs per day.
	The eggs hatch into larvae which feed on organic debris in the environment, including feces left by the adult flea.  Eggs hatch in 2-5 days. The larvae are mobile and actively move to dark places. This is why when you treat the house, you must concentrate under furniture and cushions, deep in carpets and baseboards etc.  Don't forget the basement and garage.
	After the larvae have fed adequately, they spin a cocoon around themselves and are now protected from any chemical or insecticide you spray in your house. This is the reason that sometimes even after treating the house there will still be an infestation as the pupa continue to hatch.
	Adult fleas emerge from cocoons and the cycle repeats itself. The fleas emerge in 1-4 weeks or they can delay emergence for 4-6 months!

The goal to flea control is to kill the adult fleas on the animal and the eggs, larvae, and pupae in the environment - to interrupt the flea's life cycle.  Always follow the directions and use products labeled safe for your animal. For example, if you have a puppy make sure the spray says "for use on puppies" not just "for use on dogs". Shampoos and dips are used to kill adult fleas on the animal with the dip having a longer lasting effect. Flea collars are effective only on smaller animals. Sprays and flea mousse are effective on animals that require routine reapplication (dogs that swim or animals living in houses with a current flea problem). Bombs/foggers and premise sprays are used to control fleas in the animal's immediate home environment.

When applying shampoos or sprays the adult fleas and larvae are killed, generally leaving the eggs and pupae stages undisturbed. The fleas are resistant to chemicals at these stages and they will continue to emerge causing possible reinfestations.  This is why repeated treatment of the animal and your home is needed. In addition, using products which contain "IGR" (insect growth regulator) will help destroy the egg and pupae stages thus interrupting the life cycle.

Not only is your animal disturbed by the constant movement of fleas, but the flea saliva is highly allergenic to your cat or dog. Even animals previously unaffected can become allergic through repeated flea bites. Flea allergy dermatitis is recognized by excessive itching, scratching, and hair loss over the tail head. Occasionally, the animal must be treated with cortisone, which requires a trip to the veterinarian.

Fleas are also an intermediate host to tapeworms, as a result the majority of animals having a flea problem usually become infected with tapeworm.

FLEA   TIPS 

1. A thorough vacuuming especially in all the dark corners will mechanically remove quite a bit of the juvenile flea stages from the environment.  Shampooing and/or vacuuming before applying pesticides will allow for maximum absorption of chemicals.  Make sure to throw away the vacuum bag after use to eliminate any flea eggs that might hatch.
2. Vacuum and spray very well under sofas, beds, chairs, behind doors, etc.
3. Foggers can't reach under furniture. So furniture must be moved during fogging to ensure proper coverage.
4. Wash your rugs and pet's bedding once a week.
5. Sprays should also be used every 2-4 weeks inside the house where the animal spends most of its time.
6. Flea collars alone cannot do the job of flea control.
7. Brewers yeast, B-complex vitamins, garlic, etc. are not as effective as flea repellents.
8. Many new excellent products are available to control fleas on your pet.  Consult your veterinarian for the best protocol for your animal(s).

This newsletter is intended to offer general information only and recognizes that individual issues may differ from these broad guidelines. Your pets specific issues should be addressed with a veterinary professional familiar with the details of the problems.   Copyright © 2002 Lakeside Veterinary Clinic.