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It’s just an irritating bite isn’t it?

At the very least, fleas cause irritation and skin problems in pets – you’ll see this if your pet is itching, scratching or biting their coat. Newly hatched fleas will often jump onto pet owners causing discomfort for us too, but the problem doesn’t end there. Fleas can carry diseases that affect people as well as pets.

• Some pets develop Flea Allergy Dermatitis, an allergy to flea syliva which can cause a nasty skin reaction requiring urgent vet treatment.
• Fleas can carry tapeworm called Diphylidium caninum, which can infect cats, dogs and even humans. It is, therefore, always important to regularly treat your pet for tapeworms, especially if you’ve seen any fleas.
• Fleas are involved in the transmission of Bartonella henselae², a bacteria known to cause mild flu-like symptoms in people.
• Fleas can also carry Rickettsia species², a bacteria that causes fever and a skin rash in humans.

It is very important that any flea control strategy targets the different life stages – Adult, Egg and Larvae.  The topical product we recommend contains Selamectin which kills adult fleas, sterilises them so no more eggs hatch and the product falls off the animal and is eaten by larvae so they never become adults.  In severe infestations a house spray will be needed to stop any eggs and larvae from hatching.  Please talk to your vet or nurse for more information on effective flea control.

Fleas — Last updated on August 13, 2011