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| ARE THERE FLEAS IN RENO? |
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| By: Dr. Maureen Adams, DVM |
| All Creatures Veterinary Hospital |
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If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times – YES, we have fleas in Reno Nevada! Fleas are the most common external parasite
of companion animals. Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin disease of dogs and cats! Fleas carry tape worms. If a dog or
cat ingests the flea, they can contract that parasite and potentially cause infection to young children. Flea control has always been
a challenge for veterinarians and pet owners because the adult fleas cause the clinical signs, yet the majority of the flea population
(eggs, larvae and pupae) are to be found off the pet in and around the home. The ideal flea control program utilizes products that
target the various stages of the flea life cycle, not only the adult fleas on the pet.
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Today, veterinarians have some great flea control products in our arsenal. There are now several highly efficacious, long lasting and
very safe new products to choose amongst. |
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| Program and Sentinal (luferuron) |
These prescription drugs are available as a once a month flavored chewable. Female fleas that feed on pets treated with lufenuron
produce sterile eggs. The product does not kill adult fleas. It is a very easy way to break the life cycle but pets remain fully susceptible
to the emergence of any fleas from pupa already present in the environment. Therefore, 4 to 7 months may pass before the flea free
state is reached. In order to stop the life cycle, every animal in the patient’s environment must receive lufenuron or another insect
growth regulator. Pets should be treated for fleas with an adult flea-killing product during the first few weeks of starting Program®. |
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| Nylar (pyriproxifen) |
This is a relatively new insect growth regulator that is extremely effective against flea eggs. It remains 100% effective for 150 days
after a single spray application! It is an excellent option in cases when Program® may be too expensive because of a multiple pet
household or in situations where Program® is ineffective. |
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| Advantage, Advantix or Advantage Multi |
These products are available as a spot ons for either dogs or cats. Advantage Multi is a prescription drug that also is a heartworm
preventive. Advantage seems to be very well tolerated by sensitive cats. It provides flea knockdown in about 8 hours. 100% killing
can be maintained for at least two weeks. It is susceptible to wash off, therefore outdoor active dogs and dogs that swim or that
must be bathed because of dermatitis must be re treated frequently. |
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| Frontline, Frontline Plus and Frontline Top Spot |
Fipronil is a broad spectrum insecticide available as a spray or a drip-on. Fipronil binds chemically to the hair and is absorbed through
the hair follicle by the sebaceous glands. In spray formulation fipronil may kill fleas at 95% for up to 30 days after application on dogs
and stands up to biweekly bathing. It is labeled for puppies and kittens of 8 weeks (10 weeks for Top Spot®). It is also affective against
ticks. |
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| Revolution (selamectin) |
This prescription drug is designed as a once-a-month heartworm preventive and flea preventive for dogs and cats as young as 6 weeks
old. It also kills adult fleas and can be used to treat sarcoptic mange, ear mites and ticks. It also helps control roundworms and
hookworms in cats. |
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| Capstar (nitenpyram) |
This is a prescription tablet for dogs and cats as young as 4 weeks of age. It offers extremely rapid and complete killing of adult fleas
on the pets after administration. It is safe enough that the tablets may be used as needed, as often as once per day, whenever you see
fleas on your pet. This is designed to be used in combination with an insect growth regulator to knock out fleas when these slower
products are being used for long-term control. |
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| Comfortis |
This monthly prescription tablet for fleas represents a completely new class of drugs in flea control. It is available for use on puppies
and dogs 14 weeks of age or older and is available in 5 different sized flavored (soy and pork) chewable tablets. It is meant to be used
once a month. |
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| Promeris for cats |
This product is a spot-on application that causes fleas to cease feeding, become paralyzed, and die within 48 hours. It binds to hair and
skin surface, and so will stand up to some shampooing. It can be administered at 4 to 6 week intervals. Do not use on kittens under 8
weeks of age. Do not allow animals to groom each other following application. |
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| Promeris Duo for Dogs
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This product is a spot-on application that causes fleas to cease feeding, become paralyzed, and die within 48 hours. The addition of
amitraz provides efficacy against ticks and some mites. It should be administered monthly for optimal control of flea and tick
infestations. The product remains effective if the animal becomes wet. However, prolonged, intense exposure to water should be
avoided. This product prevents flea infestation for up to 6 weeks and tick infestation for 4 weeks. Do not use on puppies under 8 weeks
of age. Do not administer to cats, sick or debilitated dogs or animals suffering from heat stress. Do not administer to pregnant and
lactating animals. This product represents another completely new class of insecticides for flea control so will be useful where fleas
have become resistant. |
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| Vectra 3-D for dogs |
This product is a monthly spot-on application for flea, tick and mosquito control with an insect growth regulator. It provides long-lasting
repellent, and is a fast acting adult flea killer that also provides control for the egg stage of the flea for at least 30 days. |
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| About Traditional Insecticides / Over-the-Counter Flea Control Products |
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Several adulticide insecticides or shampoos are available and some have insect growth regulators such as s-methoprene included.
Shampoos are less effective than sprays, dips or spot ons because they have little residual activity. For cats, pyrethrins as sprays or
foaming mousses may useful for safe, quick knock-down of fleas. For dogs, permethrin sprays or spot-on products with methoprene or
Nylar may be effective, but cats MUST NOT BE EXPOSED directly or indirectly to permethrin products. There is some resistance in fleas
to permethrin products now documented. Over-the-counter products with etofenprox and S-methoprene can be used with some caution
in cats and may be effective in some settings but are not fast enough for good results in flea allergy. |
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| Options for your Pet |
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- Frontline®. Once a month. 1 2 pumps/lb of the 250 ml bottle or 3 6 pumps/lb of the 100 ml bottle. Wear gloves to apply.
Ensure that the hair coat is completely wetted. Do not bathe for 48 hours after application.
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- Frontline Plus®. Once a month. Dispensed according to weight -- one vial against the skin between the shoulder blades.
For dogs over 88 pounds, use combinations of weights and two vials per treatment. Wear gloves to apply.
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- Advantage®. Once a week to once a month. Dispensed according to weight. Contents of one or two vials against the skin
between the shoulder blades. Repeat application after each bath up to once a week.
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- Revolution® Dispensed according to weight. Contents of one or two vials against the skin between the shoulder blades once
a month.
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- Program® or Sentinel®. Once a month pill/vial for each animal in the household.
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- Capstar®. Every other day to once a week pill to be combined with Program or Sentinel or for use when flea exposure is
anticipated
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- Comfortis ®for Dogs. Once a month pill. Dispensed according to weight.
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- Promeris for Cats®. Administered at 4 to 6 week intervals. Dispensed according to weight.
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- Promeris DUO for Dogs®. Administered at 4 to 6 week intervals. Dispensed according to weight.
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- Vectra 3D for Dogs®. Once a month. Dispensed according to weight.
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