October & November 2010

Fleas - How to Manage these Pests

Dear Doctor: My 8 year-old Bichon has fleas for the first time in his life. How do I get rid of them?

Signed,

Nicole in Stevens Point

We have definitely received a large number of phone calls this year regarding flea infestations, so the conditions must be especially favorable for the fleas this year. They are very annoying little pests, both for the affected pet and the family. Depending on the level of infestation, you may be able to control the flea population with minimal effort, or you may need to consider a professional exterminator.

If there are very few fleas, application of a topical spot-on flea treatment for at least three consecutive months can be effective. For this method to be effective, you need to restrict exposure to other pets, or treat all pets in contact with your boy. In our experience, Frontline or Advantage is most effective for flea treatment. The shampoos and collars are not as effective.

If you notice a fair number of fleas, or if your pet is extremely itchy and irritated by the fleas, then you may need to be more aggressive with your treatment strategy. The Frontline or Advantage would still be indicated, but you would also need to use chemical treatments to eliminate the fleas from your house, yard and vehicle. This route is less appealing, since the chemicals used cannot be inhaled by pets, birds or people. However, in moderate to severe infestations, this route may be needed.

For this type of treatment, you may hire a professional exterminator, or you may do the treatment yourself with advice from your veterinarian or local pet supply store. In either case, it is important to apply the topical treatment on your pet, and then plan to remove your pet from your home. The house and car need to be vacuumed thoroughly, and it may be helpful to dispose of the vacuum bag immediately after you are done cleaning. Wash all pet bedding in hot water. Apply a premis spray to areas under furniture or tables, and to the interior of your vehicle. The premis spray needs to be directed to any area that the flea bomb will not reach. The next step is to set off a flea bomb in each room of your house, then plan to leave immediately. After the recommended amount of time, you need to return to your house to open windows. Again, wait the appropriate amount of time before you return home with your pets. The yard may also need to be treated in some cases with specific products. Most importantly, repeat this entire process again in a few weeks to control any emerging forms of the fleas. The most effective products for the home contain an insect growth regulator.

Your veterinarian may have other products or prescription medications that will help you to gain control of your flea problem. Next month, we will discuss the health related concerns associated with flea infestations, with recommendations for treatment of affected pets. Meanwhile, best of luck with your flea control efforts!

Dear Doctor: My 8 year-old Bichon has fleas for the first time in his life. How do I get rid of them? (see the first portion of the response to this question published October 1, 2010)

Last month, we reviewed the recommendations for flea control. While it may take time and money to achieve flea control, it is very important to eliminate fleas from your pet for many reasons. First of all, the fleas are very irritating to the infested pet, as they move about on the skin and hair coat of the animal. More importantly, however, the fleas can cause various health problems for pets. When a flea bites the pet to take a blood meal, the saliva from the flea bite may cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals. In this case, the bite of just one flea may cause intense itching and hair loss in a pet that has an allergy to the saliva. Cats with this allergy will often develop several small bumps on the skin, known as military dermatitis. In some dogs and cats, the skin will develop a secondary bacterial or yeast infection, which causes even more itching. This situation is quite miserable for the pet. Affected dogs and cats require medical treatment, such as steroids, along with antibiotics or antifungals, if indicated.

Since the flea takes a blood meal from the infested animal, it is also possible for the pet to become anemic if the flea population is large, especially if the pet is small. Kittens and small puppies are particularly vulnerable to flea bite anemia. Although uncommon, it is even possible for the affected pet to require a blood transfusion, as the anemia may be fatal if is severe.

If a pet ingests a flea from itself while grooming, it is possible for that animal to develop tapeworms. Not all tapeworms are transmitted by fleas, but Dipylidium caninum needs to live in a flea to complete the life-cycle. Tapeworms can be treated with a deworming medication, along with strict flea control.

Another infectious disease that can be spread by fleas is known as Bartonellosis. In humans, the infection is known as Cat Scratch Disease. Bartonella is a bacterium that has been associated with a variety of symptoms in dogs, cats and humans, such as fever, enlarged lymph nodes, heart valve disease, muscle pain, eye inflammation, and arthritis. While the infection can be treated with an antibiotic, it can be a serious or easily overlooked condition.

While there are other infectious diseases associated with fleas, we do not have to worry about them in Wisconsin. Also, our cold winters help to keep the flea population down, but cold weather alone will not eliminate them. Flea control is essential, for the comfort and the health of the affected pet.

One final thought: if you know your pet has fleas, please do not take him or her to places where other pets could be infested. You have a public health responsibility to prevent exposure of other pets, especially at the dog park, daycare or groomer. Your veterinary office will be able to answer any questions you have regarding flea control and your pet's health. Good luck with your Bichon.