Treatment FAQ

how to know flea treatment is working

by Dr. Trudie Murphy II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A. The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working.

How do Flea and tick treatments work?

Jun 08, 2020 · One of the reasons pet parents may think their flea control is not working is because of a flea’s life cycle. A flea has four stages which include: Adult Flea. Larvae. Pupae. Egg. When a flea leaves the pupae and locates its host (such …

How do I choose the best flea treatment?

Do flea treatments have any side effects?

How long does it take for advantage to kill fleas?

Some of the best topical flea treatments for cats kill adult fleas immediately on first contact. Some products also contain a repellent, so fleas will avoid jumping straight back onto your pet ...

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How long after flea treatment will I stop seeing fleas?

Although it may happen a lot quicker it can take up to 24 hours for fleas jumping onto your pet to be killed. There are no flea products that stop fleas from jumping onto pets. This means that regardless of the licensed flea treatment you use - you may still see fleas on your pet until the flea product kills it.

How do I know if the fleas are gone?

Make sure you check your pet's toes, around the ears, armpits, tail and head as well. These are often popular places for the fleas to hide and hang out. Keep a close eye on the white paper or towel. You are looking for and fleas that fall or jump off.

How long does it take for flea treatment to work?

Reducing the chance of flea bites helps to protect your pet against the discomfort and irritation these pests can cause, and also helps limit the exposure to potential infections that can be carried by fleas. Imidacloprid kills fleas within 24 hours.

Why am I still finding fleas after treatment?

As eggs hatch and develop, you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment - this is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them. This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.

Can fleas live on blankets?

Fleas like to burrow into carpeting and bedding, but they won't live there for long if they don't have a host to feed from. Fleas are more likely to live on your pet's body than on your sheets or blankets.Jul 19, 2021

Do fleas jump off after treatment?

No, the fleas don't jump off after the treatment. They don't jump off they rise to the top of the animal and fall off dead.

Why is my dog still scratching after flea treatment?

It's fairly typical after you've applied Itch Flea for there to be a period of hyperactivity amongst the fleas as the product takes effect, and this can cause an increase in itching. It should settle down though after 24 hours.Apr 23, 2021

How long can fleas live in carpet?

In most cases, fleas can live an average of three months in your carpet. However, if no measures are taken to get rid of them and they have you or your pet on which they can continually feed, they can live indefinitely within this environment.

How many stages of life do fleas go through?

PLAY SOUND. Fleas go through four life stages. Only a very small proportion of the infestation is the adult fleas on your pet. None of the flea-killing products can get through the cocoon and kill the pupa.

How long should I bathe my dog after flea shampoo?

So, if you’ve just washed your pet and stripped the natural oils, they’ll be less effective. Check the packaging for specific recommendations, but most say you cannot apply within 48 hours of a bath, and you shouldn’t bathe your dog for at least 48 hours after application, either.

Can fleas feed on rabbits?

There’s no point in treating your dogs if the adult fleas can feed on your rabbit, or on the neighbour’s cat that sleeps on your sofa sometimes! The minute you forget a day of your dog’s treatment, or use a sub-standard product, they’ll catch fleas again. Make sure you treat all the animals in the house so the adult fleas have nowhere safe to go! If you have a visiting cat, please check with their owner before applying flea treatment, to avoid double-dosing.

Why does my dog have a flea reaction?

By far the most reactions to flea medication occur when cats are exposed to certain flea medications that are meant for dogs, which might happen because a pet owner mistakenly buys the wrong product.

Is hair loss a problem for cats?

Milosevic adds that hair loss is particularly common in cats. Like redness of the skin, hair loss is not considered an emergency, but you and your vet should find a new medication for your afflicted pet. While this might suggest a topical problem, the tail base is, in fact, a hot spot for flea allergies.

What is the advantage of imidacloprid?

Imidacloprid is a chloronicotinyl nitroguanide that binds much more strongly to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the flea’s central nervous system than it does to mammalian receptors. The end result is paralysis and death of the flea. Related posts: Choosing the best flea treatment for your dog.

How does isoxazoline work?

The isoxazoline class of flea and tick treatments work by selective inhibition of GABA- and glutamate-gated chloride channels, leading to hyper-excitation and death of the flea or tick.

Can dogs eat garlic?

There is no good evidence to suggest that feeding garlic has any flea repellant activity. Garlic, onion, and chives (all in the allium family) cause red blood cell destruction which can result in severe anemia - head here to read more about onion and garlic poisoning in dogs.

Do ticks and fleas work?

Now, modern flea and tick preventative treatments, they do work in different ways, but they're generally much, much more targeted insect biology rather than mammalian biology, which means that they target specific things that are in insects and not in mammals, and mammals being dogs, cats, and people obviously. Insects being the fleas.

Is Bravecto a spot on?

Those are oral tablets. Now, Bravecto is a spot on as well. I don't believe those other ones come as a spot on. But if it's a tablet, then clearly, that is then getting taken up absorbed by the body and then getting distributed in the blood.

Can garlic be used for fleas?

Using Garlic as a Flea Treatment. There is no good evidence to suggest that feeding garlic has any flea repellant activity. Garlic, onion and chives (all in the allium family) cuse red blood cell destruction which can result in severe anaemia - head here to read more about onion and garlic poisoning in dogs (LINK TO POST.

Understanding The Flea Life Cycle

One of the reasons pet parents may think their flea control is not working is because of a flea’s life cycle. A flea has four stages which include:

How Fleas Appear On Treated Dogs

There are a few reasons why fleas still appear on pets even after their flea treatments. These include but are not limited to, the following:

Getting Rid Of Fleas Takes Time

Eradicating a flea infestation may take longer than you think — it’s all about treating the environment and your pet. It’s also important to note that even though your dog is on a treatment for fleas, it does not mean that fleas won’t hop on them.

How effective are flea treatments?

Oral prescription flea solutions work in different ways. Most of these treatments are very effective because they contain both an insecticide, which kills adult fleas, as well as a hormone growth regulator which targets eggs and larvae.

How do flea collars work?

Flea collars work by either emitting a pesticide into the area around your pet or releasing one that is absorbed by your pet's skin. While some are effective, many, unfortunately, only protect a very small portion of the animal, generally around the neck area.

How do I get rid of fleas on my dog?

Once applied, the ingredients are absorbed into the oil glands of your pet's skin, which then spread out and begin to kill fleas all over your pet's body. Spot-on treatments have the advantage of becoming active quickly and staying active for a specified period of time (check the packaging for manufacturer's recommended reapplication timeframes).

Does flea shampoo kill fleas?

Flea shampoos contain additional ingredients that repel or kill fleas. There are also flea shampoos that contain natural ingredients, however many of these products may not provide the same levels of efficacy as medicated products. Also, while flea shampoos can help, they are not effective as your only flea prevention strategy.

Can you spray flea spray on furniture?

Some sprays are designed to be sprayed directly onto your pet. Others are designed to be sprayed on furniture, bedding or carpet. Still others are exclusively for use outdoors. Additionally, some sprays offer 30 days' worth of flea killing protection while others fade almost instantaneously. Be sure to read the manufacturer's guidelines for application directions.

How effective is a fogger?

Foggers can be quite effective in eliminating fleas on surfaces and in penetrating to kill fleas lurking in crevices. A fogger's major advantage is that it allows you to deal with the fleas that are present in your pet's environment, not just those that are on them or that come into contact with them.

Can I use flea medicine on my cat?

Be sure to discuss all flea treatments with your veterinarian, who can provide advice based on your pet's age and current health status. With all flea treatments, be sure to precisely follow the manufacturer's directions, and never use dog-specific products on cats and vice versa.

How long does it take to get rid of fleas?

Getting rid of fleas is a difficult process due to the long lifecycle of a flea. Moderate to severe infestations will take months to control and require a four-step process for complete elimination:

How to treat fleas in pets?

Every pet in the home must be treated. Thoroughly bathe pets with soap and water, then comb them with a flea comb. Pay careful attention to face and neck regions, and the area in front of the tail. Soap will act as a gentle insecticide to kill adult fleas.

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