Fleas
Fleas are external parasites that survive by feeding on the blood of various animals. Any visible adults fleas you find on your animal only represents 5% of the total population. The other 95% are eggs, larva, and pupae that are living in the carpet, furniture, and bedding of your home. Animals show varying symptoms of flea infestation. You may never see a flea on a cat because of their fastidious grooming habits, but only one flea bite can result in a major allergic reaction and skin infection. The same is true for dogs.
Fleas can also carry tapeworms, which are transmitted to your pet when the pet grooms itself and ingests an infected flea. While rare, it is also possible for humans to contract tapeworms if an infected flea is inadvertently ingested. Fleas may also jump onto humans and attempt to feed, causing tiny red bumps. They cannot survive on a human host.
Eradicating a flea infestation can be a frustrating process, but with diligent cleaning and treating of all pets in the home, an infestation can be totally cleared in 3 months.
Fleas can also carry tapeworms, which are transmitted to your pet when the pet grooms itself and ingests an infected flea. While rare, it is also possible for humans to contract tapeworms if an infected flea is inadvertently ingested. Fleas may also jump onto humans and attempt to feed, causing tiny red bumps. They cannot survive on a human host.
Eradicating a flea infestation can be a frustrating process, but with diligent cleaning and treating of all pets in the home, an infestation can be totally cleared in 3 months.
- Vacuum the house and furniture thoroughly and dispose of the contents outside of the house. Fleas can survive the vacuum, crawl out, and re-infest your home.
- Wash all bedding in hot water.
- Treat all pets with a topical flea preventative such as Vectra 3D. Your veterinarian may also recommend an oral tablet, such as Capstar, along with topical flea products.
- Sentinel is a monthly tablet that can help control re-infestation of fleas by inhibiting the flea's ability to hatch from eggs. Sentinel also prevents heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infection.