Flea Control
Fleas are the most common external parasite of companion
animals. Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin disease
of dogs and cats! 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. In order to help you to select the most
appropriate products to achieve a flea-free existence for an
allergic pet, we will start by telling you about the life cycle
of the flea.
The Life Cycle of the Flea Ctenocephalides felis
Eggs are laid in the hair coat and are designed to fall off
the host. They are resistant to insecticides, but susceptible to
various insect growth regulators. Larvae develop in the host's
environment and feed on adult flea feces (blood) that fall out
of the hair coat of the pet. Larvae are susceptible to
traditional insecticides, borates and insect growth regulators.
Larvae eventually spin cocoons (often within carpet fibers) for
pupation. Pupae are resistant to freezing, desiccation, and
insecticides. Pupae can lie dormant for many months; they are
stimulated to expupate as emergent adults by vibration, warming
and increased carbon dioxide. Normally, expupation occurs when a
host is near and the new flea finds the pet within seconds of
emergence. Emergent fleas are fairly mobile and can survive a
few days without a host, if in a suitable environment. New fleas
begin feeding within hours of finding a dog or cat. Once a blood
meal has been taken, the flea can survive only a short time if
it is dislodged from the host. New fleas experience very high
mortality on healthy adult hosts. Most fleas do not survive 72
hours on an animal that is itching and able to groom itself.
Unfortunately, limited egg production does occur even on
allergic animals. The entire life cycle of C. felis can be
completed in as few as 16 days!
Flea Control Recommendations
For the flea allergic patient 100% flea control is required to
remain symptom-free. Even very minimal exposure may be
sufficient to perpetuate itching in a hypersensitive patient
(one or 2 bites per week are enough!). Until very recently,
veterinarians and pet owners have had to control fleas by
treating the environment of the animal for the immature stages
of the flea. This approach, although effective when properly
instituted, is labor intensive and requires frequent repetitive
applications. Application of adulticides on the animal has
merely been of palliative value. The safe insecticides
previously available to us did not kill fleas instantly or were
not long-lasting enough to ensure adequate protection from flea
bites. The female flea survived long enough to lay a few eggs
and perpetuate the life cycle.
Today's Flea Control Products
Recently, some new products have been added to our flea control
arsenal. These appear to be highly efficacious, long lasting and
have a very low potential of harmful side effects. It may well
be that these promising products will revolutionize flea control
in the United States.
Program