Fleas and ticks are not only nasty and annoying pests, they can also transmit diseases to you and your pets such as tape worms and tick-borne diseases like Lymes disease and Ehrlichia.  There are many products for the control, treatment, and prevention of fleas.  Flea preventative does not need to be given year round.  Start using when the weather warms up, and continue until the first good hard frost. 

• Frontline – This is the flea preventative that we at Brinker Veterinary Hospital use and trust the most.  Frontline is a topical medication that is applied to the dog/cat’s skin once monthly.  To apply, open the container, part the animal’s hair and apply liquid directly to the skin.  You may need to apply in more than one place.  Wash your hands after application, and do not rub the liquid in.  Do not bathe the animal for 2 days before or after the treatment. 
• Kills – adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larva, chewing lice, and 4 species of ticks. 
• Guaranteed by company. 
• Best choice for animals with seasonal or flea allergies

• Advantage – Kills adult fleas and flea larva.  Topical, use once per month.

• Revolution – Kills adult fleas, flea eggs, and 1 type of tick.  Treats and controls Sarcoptic Mange.  Topical, use once per month.

• K9 Advantix – Kills adult fleas, flea larva, 4 types of ticks.  Kills and repels mosquitoes.  Do Not use on Cats!  Topical use once per month on dogs. 

• Sentinel – Sentinel is an insect development inhibitor, it will prevent an adult flea from reproducing once that flea bites a treated dog.  Oral, use once per month with fatty meal.  All animals in the house must be on Sentinel for the flea prevention to work.  Not appropriate for animals with seasonal or flea allergies.  

• Grocery/Pet store only products (ex. Hartz Mountain) – Most of these are topical and are to be used once per month.  These medications do not work as well as the prescription or veterinary approved products and may be potentially toxic to your pet.   Flea collars are not a good way to control or treat fleas.  However, they do work well if kept in your vacuum cleaner bag or canister J

Treating your House – Fleas like to stay in dark areas.  For that reason, bombs that do not get under your couch or cushions are not ideal.  The best way to deal with fleas in your house it to:

• Vacuum all floors and dispose of the vacuum bag.  Spray flea product into the vacuum hose, and/or keep a flea collar in bag.
• Wash all dog and human bedding and slip covers in hot water
• Use spray, we recommend Siphotrol Plus II, and follow directions on canister.  Spray floors, under furniture, under couch cushions, mattresses, drapes, pet beds etc. 

It is very important that you treat all of the animals in the house as well as treating your house.  Getting rid of fleas can be trying and time consuming, but with the right products used correctly, it can be done!