Fleas
It can be alarming to discover that your pet has fleas but it should not come as a surprise. Fleas are the most common parasite in pets and almost all pets are affected at some stage in their life unless they are given regular, routine treatment to control fleas. Fleas are unlikely to cause serious harm, but they are a nuisance and very unpleasant. Getting rid of fleas can be difficult once they have become established so regular treatment is strongly recommended. Fleas can pass on other diseases to your pet and so flea control is an important aspect of routine health care for your pet.
Your partner in caring for your pet should be your veterinary surgeon. Regular visits to a vet for routine health checks and preventative health care such as vaccination and treatment for fleas and worms allow you and your pet to build a relationship with your vet. Most pets live with us as part of the family - maintaining their health also means there is less risk of them passing on disease. The chance of you catching a disease from an animal is small but there are some diseases that people can get from animals (zoonoses). A healthy pet is unlikely to pass on disease.
Your questions answered
Why is it so difficult to get rid of fleas?
Fleas are small, reddish-brown insects with a complex life cycle, most of which takes place away from your pet. Only the adult fleas live on your cat and drink its blood, the early stages live free in the environment, ie, your home. For every flea that you see running through your pet's fur, there may be hundreds of immature fleas waiting to jump aboard a passing pet - or if you are unlucky - on to you.
Where do fleas live?
Adult fleas lay eggs in pet's fur. Each female flea can produce dozens of eggs every day. They are pearly white in colour and about the size of a grain of salt. The eggs do not stick to the fur and soon fall off on to the floor.
After a few days, the eggs hatch into maggot-like larvae which hide in your carpets, in cracks in the floor or in your cat's bedding. They feed on dust and the droppings of adult fleas, which mostly consists of undigested blood.
After a time the larva spins a cocoon in which it develops into an adult flea. They may stay in this resting stage for several months but finally the adult flea breaks out of its cocoon and crawls out of its hiding place to look for food. If it cannot find a cat it will hop on to any warm blooded animal that passes by, including humans. Centrally heated homes provide ideal conditions for a flea to grow from an egg to an adult. The minimum time for the cycle is two and a half to three weeks but immature fleas can live for over a year before reaching maturity and reinfesting your pet. Most adult fleas live for 2-3 months feeding - the females feed on blood from biting your pet.
How do fleas damage my pet's health?
Do fleas just cause skin problems?
Immature fleas pick up infection from the environment and may carry the immature form of tapeworms. If the flea is accidentally swallowed by an animal whilst grooming the tapeworm can develop inside the dog or cat's gut. Once inside your pet the tapeworm continues to grow and may reach as musch as 60 cm long. If you have seen fleas on your pet you should treat your pet with a product to remove tapeworms as well as getting on top of flea control.
How can I tell if my pet has fleas?
- Take a sheet of good quality white paper and wet one side by running it under the tap.
- Place the sheet on a flat surface, eg worktop with the wet surface uppermost.
- Sit your cat against the edge of the paper.
- Rub or brush the small of your pet's back so that scurf and flea droppings falls onto the wet paper or use a flea comb to brush your cat's coat and place the combings on the paper.
- Look for 'coal dust' which, after 30-60 seconds, goes reddish brown (this is the dried blood in the flea droppings).
Sometimes there are no obvious signs of fleas and your vet might suggest testing your pet's skin to see if it is allergic to flea spit.
How can I get rid of fleas?
The secret of successful flea control is to treat both your pet and its environment with effective products which kill the adult and the immature fleas. There are a range of tablets, injections, powders, sprays, drops and shampoos to destroy the fleas in your pet's fur. Not all products are equally effective and those you can get from your veterinary surgeon are usually much better than those sold in pet shops or supermarkets. Other treatments can be given to your cat by injection to prevent fleas breeding in your house.
What is environmental flea control?
Can all my pets catch fleas?
All the cats and dogs (because most fleas on dogs are cat fleas) in a household should be treated even if only one animal appears to be affected by flea bites. If you do not continue treatment the affected animal may be reinfected with fleas carried by other animals in your home or by fleas it picks up outside.
