Flea Control

Telephone 01603 426310

We can supply a choice of highly effective, safe and easy to use flea treatments. Pet shop and supermarket sprays are useless unless used in huge quantities.

GENERAL INFORMATION

a) Fleas are the most common cause of skin problems in the dog and cat in the UK.

b) Fleas cause itching because they irritate the pet through crawling on the skin and biting. However, some animals develop an allergy to flea saliva, so that even a few fleas cause severe bouts of itching and self-inflicted damage to the skin.

c) Fleas spread other disease conditions, the most important being tapeworm.

d) Most of the flea's life cycle is in the soft furnishings and pets bedding, not on the animal. Eggs are laid in the pets coat and drop into the carpets, thereby establishing a new generation of fleas in the house. Treatment of the environment, as well as the animal, is essential to control fleas. It has been estimated that for every flea on the animal there are more than 100 in the carpets and bedding.

e) In the past fleas were a summer problem. However, with central heating they are now active all year round, although they multiply more rapidly in warmer weather.

f) The cat flea is the most common flea on both dogs and cats. Hedgehogs and rabbits are another possible source of flea infestation.

g) Although animal fleas prefer to feed on animals. if their numbers become large enough, or if your pets are temporarily removed from the house, they will bite and feed on people. Bites are often seen as itchy spots on the lower legs ...

TREATMENT AND CONTROL

Thorough treatment is essential if long-term problems are to be avoided. Remember that both the animal and the environment MUST be treated regularly to prevent re-infestation.

THE ENVIRONMENT

a) Thorough vacuum cleaning, especially in cracks and corners, on rugs, alongside radiators and your pet's favorite places in the house. Don't forget to vacuum the car if your dog travels with you!

b) Treat the entire house with an effective, persistent insecticide. Pet shop sprays are ineffective, unless used in huge quantities. The treatment available from Veterinary Surgeons will prevent the eggs from hatching and will also kill adult fleas. The advised method of eliminating fleas from your house is:

1. Spray on can of VET-KEM ACCLAIM 2000 in a 3 bedroom Semi-detached house according to the instructions on the an also spray other areas where your pet might go e.g. sheds and cars. Don't forget the pet bed or basket.

2. In cases of heavy flea infestation it may be necessary to repeat the treatment of the house one month later. This will kill off the fleas which have survived in the bottom of the carpet pile in cocoons.

3. Thereafter treat the entire house every six months with one can of VET-KEM ACCLAIM 2000.

c) PROGRAM is a once a month treatment given in food to dogs and cats. Eggs laid by fleas which feed on these pets will not hatch. PROGRAM is safe and with time the need to treat the house is eliminated. PROGRAM does not kill adult fleas. It is important to treat with one of the other flea treatments until the PROGRAM takes effect. Although PROGRAM is fed to the pet it is in fact an environment treatment as it prevents eggs from hatching in the house. PROGRAM INJECTABLE is available for Cats. A single injection lasts six months.

THE ANIMAL

a) Spot-on preparations: These products are applied to the back of the head (and also to the rump in larger dogs) and are quick and convenient to apply. The newest of these, ADVANTAGE, is also extremely safe and very effective. It is applied monthly and minimises egg production because it works so fast, it breaks the flea life cycle reducing infestation of the house. ADVANTAGE is safe for use on animals over 8 weeks old. Before the treatment of the mother will protect the young.

b) Pet Sprays: There is a new spray, FRONTLINE which is effective for three months in dogs and two months in cats, and is non toxic - unlike the older sprays or pet shop sprays. It can be used in puppies from two days of age and kittens above the age of seven weeks. FRONTLINE is now the recommended spray treatment for the pet. Aerosol sprays e.g. NUVAN TOP, effective if used properly, but most be done on a weekly or fortnightly basis all year round. We no longer recommend these sprays as they are more toxic than the newer treatments. Please read the instructions on the tin carefully.

c) Flea collars: such as BREAKAWAY were popular and have been useful in the past but ADVANTAGE AND FRONTLINE are safer and more effective. We no longer recommend flea collars, but if you do use them they must not be used together with other animal flea treatments.

d) Flea shampoos are effective in killing fleas in the coat, but do not protect against re-infestation as the chemicals are washed out of the coat. Not a good method of flea control.

e) Flea washes are an effective way to treat fleas as the chemicals remain in the coat thus protect against re-infestation. Time consuming... and unnecessary in the light of the newer products.

f) Flea powders: Are useless!!

SUMMARY

1. Treat the environment, with VET-KEM ACCLAIM 2000. Do the entire house thoroughly. Repeat every six months, or as instructed by your Veterinary Surgeon. Alternatively, put all the pets in the house onto PROGRAM.

2. Treat your pet regularly. ADVANTAGE or FRONTLINE are currently the best available.

3. If you are using PROGRAM you may only need to use ADVANTAGE or FRONTLINE in the peak of the flea season - June to October.

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