Fleas

Fleas are probably the most common skin problem seen on our pets. They don't exclusively bother cats and dogs, they can even be found on rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs.

The Flea Lifecycle

The majority of the flea lifecyle (95%) occurs off the pet. Only the adults stay on the pet. The female requires a blood meal before it can produce eggs. Up to 50 eggs per day can be laid within 24-36 hours after a first meal. The eggs fall to the ground and can hatch in 1-6 days if the conditions are ideal (25?C and 75% relative humidity). If conditions aren't right then eggs may wait up to 6 months before hatching. The eggs hatch into larvae which feed off the debris in the dirt or carpet. After 5-11 days, they form a cocoon for the pupae stage. The pupae are very resistant and can remain dormant up to 140-170 days. If conditions are right (warmth and vibrations) they will hatch into an adult in 3-5 days. The adult will then wait for a passing animal to jump on.

Fleas can occur all year round. It is most commonly seen in summer as the conditions are ideal, but eggs and pupae can also hatch in carpets in winter as houses are heated and pets tend to stay indoors more.

The Flea Allergy Problem

Most dogs will tolerate a few fleas on their coat without showing any signs of discomfort or irritation. Most fleas like to live near the tail base, inner thighs and back rump which is typically where the itching begins. If a dog or cat is allergic to the flea bite, they will start itching and chewing around the area they are bitten. Generally the adult fleas cannot be seen in an allergic dog as the fleas don't like to be bothered so will jump away. Otherwise we can typically see "flea dirt" (digested blood) which appear as small squiggly black flecks. A simple test to check if it is "flea dirt" is to put a drop of water on it and it will turn red.

Preventing Fleas

Forget using flea shampoos, flea collars, flea sprays or the supermarket flea spot-ons. These products contain a general insecticide. Although it may kill the fleas eventually, by then the adults will have bitten your pet and laid hundreds of eggs and contaminate the backyard or house.

The best products are ones that have a fast adult killing effect and also stop the development of the eggs and larvae. We recommend Frontline plus or Revolution. These products require monthly application year-round and all animals in the household should be treated to avoid fleas going back and forth from animals.

Other things to do to reduce flea infestation are to vacuum carpets, rugs, floorboards and on and under furniture. A HEPA filter should be used to kill the fleas as they pass through the vacuum cleaner or empty the vacuum cleaner afterwards to avoid adult fleas jumping out. Don't forget to wash or throw out the pet's bedding (>60?C for 10minutes).