Review of Flea Treatments

As October rolls in people hope for a break from this years large flea and tick explosion.   These tiny critters leap onto pets, making them miserable and often causing secondary infections due to excessive scratching.  Then the fleas/ticks fall off in the home and car creating even more havoc.

Most products for flea and tick removal and control boast about their greatness, but not many do the job.   Having worked in the pet industry and keeping companions for nearly twenty years, I have seen when only dips and shampoos were available to the irritated pet and owner.   While most flea shampoos from both your vet and the local store work well, as soon as the rinse and dry is finished fleas will jump back onto the pet.   For puppies, ill pets, or a found dog who is infested this is a good first step.  

Beyond the shampoo are products called "dips", usually one mixes this up and covers the dog until saturated, then allows dog to air dry.   Dips can be lethal if product interactions and label instructions are not read and followed.   Dips should not be used when the dog has other monthly treatments on the fur, with puppies, ill or elderly dogs.   In short, be very careful as one can easily overdose a pet using a dip solution.

Flea collars sold in stores or at a vet generally do not work.   Most vets today only sell tick collars.  Flea collars simply smell bad, make your dogs coat smell, and seem to be only for looks. 

Beyond the shampoos and dips available, at nearly all stores with a pet section, there are monthly doses in vials.  The store bought ones offered for sale, appear to be not worth the funds spent on them.   As costly as care for ones pet is, it is better to get the top of the line protection then have to treat every where the animal came in contact.   (Most of the following products are offered online, sometimes only with a prescription from a vet)  When going to the local vet, ask their advice on which products they would recommend.  

Various products work for different needs of each dog and owner, such as hair coat,indoor/outdoor animal, and frequency of grooming.   My favorite flea product to date is Comfortis.  This is a pill, given orally to the pet, on a monthly basis.  For all the years my dogs have gone to parks, obedience classes, swimming, and boarding, I found this to be the very best, albeit costly, flea product.   The flea that bites on an animal with Comfortis in its system will die before it has the chance to bite again or reproduce.  This pill lasts for one month, begins killing fleas in thirty minutes after ingestion, and kills fleas before they lay eggs.

Capstar is a vet regulated product used to kill only adult fleas but begins working within thirty minutes of the dog taking the oral pill.  This is a good choice for heavy infestations and can be followed up with a monthly flea preventative.  Capstar does not prevent fleas.

Next on the top list would have to be Frontline or Frontline Plus.  Both are waterproof, topical and last about one month.  In addition to killing fleas, this product kills the eggs, lice, larvae, and ticks. Within twelve hours of application nearly all of the adult fleas are dead.  This is great for outdoor, hunting, swimming or dogs that need to be bathed frequently.   I have had great success with this product even through bi-weekly bathing. 

Advantage (Advantage II), sold at vet offices, is also a topical flea product.  This one does not seem to work for as long a period of time.  It is not water resistant and in boarding or high flea infested areas I find the dogs still pick up fleas that live long enough to start a sensitive skinned dog scratching for days.  In winter through spring this is a great choice and for homes where ones pet does not mingle with other animals. 

If your dog has a flea, count on the fact that a million more are somewhere close by.   As soon as possible after dispatching the flea begin to treat your home, car, and yard.    I find Raid makes a very good, lightly scented, hand spray can for carpets, pet bedding, furniture and car.  I have a parrot and fish tanks in the home and this spray, when used properly and home aired out for an hour after use, left no ill affects one commonly sees with foggers.   After you have removed all living beings and covered your fish tank, spray this  liberally on, over, and under all areas of the home.  Next it is time to vacuum.  LOTS and lots of vacuuming.   The key to this is to repeat every day on as many surfaces in your home as possible and not to forget to tape closed, place in a plastic bag, and take outside to the trash the bag from your vacuum.  If you have a bag less, it is wise to use a blower to clean out the filters and empty canister outside into sealed plastic bags.  A sprits of Raid flea killer on the canister will usually do the rest.  Failing to do this step will allow captured live fleas to crawl out and back into your home. 

Foggers are great for the entire house but require a bit more work.  Some fogger instructions speak about unplugging all electric items, turn off gas, and open all cabinet doors then have to wash all items upon return.   Living creatures must be removed and stay outside the area for the time the fogger is working, then some hours after, and the home must be aired out before anyone returns.   For heavy infestations this is a good choice, just be prepared to make arrangements for you and all your animals while the product works.   After fogging vacuuming every few days and following above procedure is still recommended.

The grass is a great place for fleas and ticks to hide.  Keeping it mowed short allows it to dry faster and the sun to keep it at an uncomfortable temperature for these critters to thrive.  Topical application of yard flea spray is available at most hardware stores but one must be very cautious in its use.   Sometimes a dog will get this on its fur, lick it off and become ill, or munch on the grass and become ill.   Read the labels well before using these products.

In short, fleas and ticks are a huge hassle to the pet owner and dog.  It is always best to get the advice of your local vet on which products are good for your specific animals needs.  Age, weight, skin issues, as well as overall health all play a role in using the correct product.   If an owner takes the time in early spring to spray the carpets and furniture with a lasting flea killer then possibly there will be far less to deal with when the inevitable flea rides in and leaps off to burrow in your favorite chair. 


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