Fleas are the nemesis of all pet owners. We love living in the South, but that means accepting a few things: heat, humidity and BUGS. Another fact to accept is that ALL cats and dogs are susceptible to fleas, even “indoor only” pets. Fleas are survivalists that date back 165 million years. They will come through even the finest mesh of screens and hitch rides inside on we humans. Prevention is our best weapon against them.
Besides causing itching and hair loss, fleas do cause diseases for pets and humans. Small and elderly pets can succumb to anemia. The fleas also are responsible for tapeworms, bartonella/cat scratch disease, plague and typhus in humans and animals. They are not just annoying little pests, they can cause serious illness.
There are many, many products sold through veterinarians and stores, some good and some dangerous. If you see 2-3 fleas on your pet then unfortunately, you likely also have them in your house. You can check your pet by combing them with a very fine-toothed comb-flea comb. Do this on a white or light colored counter top or on a white towel to look for the actual flea or evidence of them: pepper or black sand-like, gritty debris (yep, flea poop). One female flea can lay 20 eggs per day/2000 eggs per lifetime; if half those eggs are females then you easily get the picture. There is not one product available that will kill all life stages of the flea from egg to larva to pupa to adult flea. In some cases, we may recommend several specific products be used to fight this war. And yes, it is war.
There are many safe products available through your veterinarian ranging from injections, oral, topical and collars. Several newer products (unfortunately, most are for dogs only) are showing great results. NEVER, never use a “dog labeled” product on your cat, it can seriously harm your cat or result in death. Ensure the product is correct for your pets’ age, weight and health status. Best advice: call your vet!
Finally, don’t ignore your environment. Although we must use products on our pets to ensure their health, we should be cautious with the chemicals in our homes. Vacuuming regularly and discarding the contents immediately does help. The use of diatomaceous earth has also had good results. This is a very safe product that can be found locally at home improvement stores and can help eliminate other insects besides fleas.
The bottom line is to be proactive and use prevention regularly. Most products have a monthly lifespan and need to be applied properly to work. We can win this war, but never let your guard down!
Coastal Cat Clinic is located at 280 Redfern Village. Phone: 912.634.2119
Website: coastalcat.com
