when can the vet prescribe flea treatment

The most effective way to rid your dog of fleas is to get a prescription from your veterinarian. Your vet will recommend a treatment based on where you live, the degree of flea infestation and other factors. There are more than 200 types of fleas in America. Fleas can jump 14 to 16 inches and can lay eggs 48 hours after their first blood meal.

Full Answer

Do you need a prescription for flea treatment for dogs?

It's important to prevent fleas if possible and to attack them quickly when they do invade. As with flea varieties, there are several types of flea medications your veterinarian can prescribe, both oral and topical. Oral Dog Fleas Treatment. Comfortis is an effective once a month oral treatment to be given with food. Dosage is a single tablet costing about $15. It kills fleas when they bite …

Is it safe to use flea treatment once a month?

As soon as you feed your pet with this medicine, it starts working within 12 hours and works well to kill all insects for 30 days. Apart from all that, K9’s Advantix prescription flea medicine does not pose any threat to a pet’s health. This is a perfect choice for large puppers to have a year-round safest flea treatment for dogs.

How often can you use veterinary formula for fleas?

 · Who should use this: Bravecto Topical Solution for Dogs and Bravecto Topical Solution for Cats are ideal if you like the concept of going three months between treatments, and your primary worries...

How do I know what flea treatment is right for my Dog?

 · Best Flea Control Collar – Seresto. Best Topical Flea Medication – Frontline Plus. Best Flea Control Pill – Capstar. Best Flea Medication for Outdoor Dogs – K9 Advantix. Best Shampoo Flea Treatment – Veterinary Formula Clinical Care. Best Flea Control Home Remedy – Coconut Oil. Table of Contents [ show]

When should I take my pet to the vet for fleas?

Many dogs also groom themselves more often when they have fleas. In most cases, that's OK. But if your pet is nipping, chewing, or scratching at itself enough that you notice hair loss or red, inflamed, or bloody skin, call your vet right away. Your animal may have an infection or a flea allergy.

When should flea treatment start?

Spring and summer are usually the heaviest time for ticks. But they can live year-round in some parts of the U.S. If you see signs of these pests on your pet, treat them right away. Otherwise, start treatment at the beginning of flea or tick season.

Do I need to go to the vet for flea medicine?

You can pick up flea medication from your vet's office. You don't need an appointment to get them. Flea treatment from your vet's office will be a better product than those you can buy from the supermarket.

Do you need a prescription for flea and tick?

Over-the-Counter preventatives are available without a prescription. The reason some flea/tick topical preventatives are in this category is that they aren't absorbed into your pet's body the same way a prescription medication is, hence, no prescription is required.

Does flea treatment still work if on fur?

If you have a pet with thick fur, this can present a challenge. However, the medication won't work correctly if only the hair follicles are involved – it must be applied to the skin.

Can you give your dog flea treatment early?

If you are finding fleas on your pet even after applying your pet's topical flea treatment, you might consider reapplying it early. However, this solution is not always recommended and may lead to an overdose in some rare cases.

Can vets do anything for fleas?

Once your vet diagnoses your pet with fleas, she'll provide you with an overview of your treatment options. Your vet may recommend the use of one or multiple products in combination to rid your pet of the infection with the goals of killing any existing fleas on your pet and killing any larvae the fleas have laid.

How much is flea medicine at the vet?

Average veterinary price listGrooming8$30 – $500 annuallyFlea and Tick Control9$40 – $200 annuallySpay3$100 - $200Neuter3$50 – $100Cat or Dog teeth cleaning2$50 – $3007 more rows

Do I need to take my dog to the vet for fleas?

If you find fleas on your pet, don't panic, it's rarely a reason to seek emergency veterinary care. Yes, fleas are unpleasant for pets and humans. Not only can they cause your pet discomfort and irritation, they can also carry some nasty illnesses as well as infest your carpets, beds and other areas of your home.

What flea treatment do vets recommend?

Frontline Plus is our top nonprescription recommendation because it kills ticks and fleas, controls flea infestations, and kills chewing lice, all with one easy application. When used primarily for flea control, each dose of Frontline Plus lasts up to three months.

How do I rid my house of fleas?

How to get rid of fleas in your homeUse a powerful vacuum on any floors, upholstery, and mattresses. ... Employ a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. ... Wash all bedding, including your pet's, in hot water and detergent.

What is the 3 month flea pill for dogs?

Bravecto 3Chewable tablet is given every 3 months (every 90 days) to treat Fleas and Ticks for dogs!

What to do if you have questions about your pet?

If you have questions or concerns, call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

How to find the best product for a dog?

To find your ideal product, first think through what you need that product to do. Then chat to your vet who can match these needs with an available option.

Is there such a thing as a small flea problem?

There is no such thing as a “small” fle a problem.

Does garlic kill fleas?

“Natural” does not equal safe. Garlic may si cken your pet, but it won’t kill fleas.

Is it safe to use essential oils on pets?

Remember that “natural” does not equal “safe”: Essential oils can be toxic to your pet. Some create skin eruptions, or they can be toxic when ingested with normal grooming. I find the odors from many of the “natural” products so offensive that they may upset your pet as well. All this and they don’t work well.

Can anyone get fleas?

No matter how advanced and safe flea products become, people can be lax about treating their animals, and their pets and households become infested. If your pet is living in a flea-endemic area and you don’t use prevention , your pet probably will get some fleas.

Does Rosenkrantz's oral medicine kill ticks?

Dr. Rosenkrantz practices in California, where ticks are not as endemic as in the Northeast. It used to be these oral products didn’t kill ticks, but now there are options that do. Check with your vet about the best options for your dog and cat.

Oral Dog Fleas Treatment

Comfortis is an effective once a month oral treatment to be given with food. Dosage is a single tablet costing about $15. It kills fleas when they bite because it circulates in the dog's bloodstream. Comfortis works quickly and your family is not exposed to pet insecticides, which is especially important if the dog sleeps with any family member.

Topical Dog Fleas Treatment

Topicals are liquids which are applied directly to the skin between your dog's shoulder blades so they can't be licked off and harm your pet. Advantage was the first topical treatment and many vets still consider it the best flea product. It's safe and works quickly but won't typically last as long as Frontline, another widely prescribed topical.

How long does it take for a dog to get a heartworm test?

If your cat or dog has not been on heartworm preventative consistently, your veterinarian will likely recommend a heartworm test six months after starting the preventative for the first time (or restarting after a long break). This is because it takes approximately six to seven months from the bite of an infected mosquito for that infection to show up positive on a heartworm test. Thus, it's important to stay consistent with giving your pet their preventatives — mark it in your calendar and/or set a reminder on your smartphone.

Why is it important to protect your pet from heartworms?

Protecting your pet against heartworm is more important than ever! With climate change on the rise, warmer winters, and an increasing number of pesky bugs around, that means increasing numbers of spreading diseases such as heartworm.

What parasites are OTCs designed to prevent?

Most OTCs are designed to prevent only one or two types of parasites at a time (such as fleas and ticks ) instead of a large number of them: fleas, ticks, ear mites, intestinal worms, and even heartworms.

Can you give a dog heartworm preventative?

Giving your dog or cat a heartworm preventative if they’re already infected won’t solve the problem — in some cases, doing so can actually make things worse and can be fatal for your pet.

Do you need a prescription for a pesticide?

The governmental agency that regulates it: If the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) regula tes the product, you won’t need a prescription from your veterinarian as this product is just a pesticide. If the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the regulator, you will likely need a prescription as this product is considered an animal drug.

Can OTC medications prevent fleas?

This means that many OTC medications may not prevent your cat or dog from a flea or tick infestation. However, in an effort to combat this resistance, many brands are adding ingredients to their formulas, such as Frontline Gold and Frontline Tritak. Although these are still considered pesticides despite these additions.

Is it safe to take OTC flea and tick medicine?

Although OTC flea and tick treatments may do an okay job , they’re missing some important benefits of their prescription counterparts available only from veterinarians. This is where OTC preventatives can fall short (and may even be less safe):

Why do you give a veterinarian a prescription for flea medicine?

The second reason is an effort to reduce the development of fleas and ticks that are resistant to this new type of medicine. Since it is a prescription, it gives your veterinarian the opportunity to discuss proper use with you.

How long does flea and tick medicine last on dogs?

Chewable flea and tick control is more reliable. Once your dog swallows the medicine, it works for the entire 4 to 12 weeks that the label describes. There is no concern about washing off if you bathe your dog or take him to the lake. The medication cannot rub off on your kids or your furniture. And your pet cannot lick it off.

Is chewable parasite control safe for dogs?

For most pets, chewable parasite control is safe. If your dog has a history of seizures or epilepsy, consult your veterinarian for the safest options.

Do you need a prescription for Revolution Plus?

The topical preventative Revolution (or Revolution Plus) also require a prescription because it absorbs into the skin. Most topical preventatives just sit on the skin and so are not regulated by the FDA, meaning they do not require a prescription but are also less effective.

Why do all oral medications require a prescription?

There are two reasons these medications require a prescription. The first is because of laws and regulations about products that go into an animal’s body. The FDA regulates oral products and those that are absorbed by the body. Therefore, all oral prevention is prescription.

Can fleas survive indoors?

The most common types of prescription oral flea and tick prevention have only been on the market for a few years. Fleas and ticks have not had an opportunity to develop resistance. Of course, in some parts of the world, it is not necessary to use flea and tick prevention year-round. However, in most of the United States, fleas can survive indoors, ...

Why don't people kill fleas?

For fleas, the problem is people not killing the entire flea life cycle before stopping because they no longer see fleas on their pet. Some of this may be due to the topical flea prevention washing off, but many times it is because people are just trying to save money. The most common types of prescription oral flea and tick prevention have only ...

How long does flea medicine last for cats?

Getting a single dose of Cheristin’s flea treatment would last for about 6 weeks comfortably, and it is best to apply it monthly for better results. One dose size is an ideal pick for cats and kittens of size 1.8 lbs and above and 8 weeks or more. And thus, people would not face any issues while using it. Since this solution comes made of premium quality ingredients, it does not pose any threat to the environment or a kitten’s body. This is what makes it one of the best flea medicine for kittens that gives good aftermath.

What is the best flea medicine for cats?

While reviewing this best flea medicine for cats without vet prescription, we learned that it quickly kills all bugs, including their eggs, without any side effects. Hartz UltraGuard topical flea treatment is a perfect savior against fleas and ticks for cats and kittens. We were satisfied to see that this flea tick medicine comes equipped with a topical formula that stays on animals’ bodies and does not rub off. It works on cats and kittens of 12 weeks or older or for pets weighing 5lbs and above. Hartz’s 30-day continuous medication helps to protect not only animals but also prevent parasites from spreading in houses.

Can flea medicine be absorbed by dogs?

Oral flea medicine comes as chewable pills that are ingestible by a pet comfortably. Meaning no more hassle of spreading or applying a medicine. When a tick bites your fluff mate, the therapy gets transmitted to that parasite and poisons it to death. Furthermore, certain oral medications get absorbed into an animal’s bloodstream. So whenever a bug bites, its nervous system will get affected, leading to its death. Besides, oral medication ingredients are slowly excreted through a dog’s or cat’s metabolism leading to long-lasting performance.

Can fleas and ticks be dangerous?

To prevent such parasites’ survival, flea and tick medication comes into aid. Otherwise, excess growth of fleas and ticks may lead to severe diseases in animals. These bugs can be dangerous to a pet to the extent that they might fall sick. If not controlled timely, it can lead to anemia and intense itching in these fur creatures that can be troublesome. Flea and tick control for dogs and cats thus becomes a great necessity.

Can you give a dog Advantus for fleas?

Treating your dog for fleas and ticks can never be easier than Advantus tasty chewable tablet. This flea chewables contains 7 soft pills for dogs without a vet prescription that work well for large canines. Reviewing the product, we were surprised to see that a single dose killed adult fleas on a dog. The treatment begins showing results in 1 hour without any delay. This chewable flea and tick medicine for dogs is safe to use and is repeatable up to once per day as required. Yielding satisfactory results never lets you compromise with the quality you want.

What is the best flea and tick treatment for dogs?

Fleas and ticks have always been creating problems for your furry companions that become quite troublesome for them. To treat the same, K9 Advantix II dog flea and ti ck prevention is a great usage that provides all good relief only for dogs. This flea treatment works through contact and prevents ticks and mosquitoes from biting our loyal mates. Undoubtedly this best dog flea treatment gave us better results as compared to any other product for up to 30 days. The best flea medicine renders 4-monthly applications, which one can use comfortably for large puppers weighing 55 pounds or more.

Does Advecta kill fleas?

Apart from all those regular medications for getting rid of fleas, this one kills in just 12 hours after applying. Advecta’s Plus flea treatment kills not only fleas but also eggs and larvae effectively. Thus, it helps to break the cycle completely and prevents re-infestation of fleas in felines. Being a cheap flea medicine for cats, it has active ingredients as pyriproxyfen & imidacloprid. These ingredients arrive formulated in many top flea and tick medicines, making this suitable for the best results. All in all, this one offers high-quality results without any compromise.

How long does Bravecto last?

Bravecto lasts for three months, so you can apply it less frequently than any other topical treatment we recommend (and it also comes in a chew for dogs that have sensitive skin). But it requires a prescription. For doses to treat smaller or larger dogs, see below.

How long does a Seresto collar last?

The Seresto Collar for Dogs and Seresto Collar for Cats both provide protection that lasts as long as possible between reapplications (eight months per collar, compared with one month for most topicals). This treatment is good if you’re trying to combat deer ticks and Gulf Coast ticks in both cats and dogs, or mange and lice in dogs.

Does a flea collar protect against ticks?

This flea collar’s eight-month protection lasts much longer than a topical, and it protects against fleas, ticks, lice, and mange. But it won’t protect against internal parasites like heartworms, hookworms, or roundworms, and some pets may not like having an extra thing around their neck. For a collar that’s suitable for smaller dogs, see below.

Can you buy Frontline Plus for dogs?

Who should use this: Frontline Plus for Dogs and Frontline Plus for Cats are treatments you can buy without a vet’s prescription, so you can pick up the medication easily. Consider this treatment if you have both dogs and cats, and you want to protect them from the same set of pests, on the same schedule.

Does Frontline Plus work for dogs?

Frontline Plus is our favorite non-prescription topical treatment, and it protects against fleas and a range of tick species. But it requires monthly applications, and it won’t fight against parasites like heartworms. For dosing that is suitable for dogs of other weights, see below.

Does Revolution for Dogs protect against ticks?

Revolution for Dogs protects against a narrower range of pests compared with the other flea treatments we recommend—but it’s the only one that protects against heartworms. Revolution doesn’t protect against brown dog ticks, which are found worldwide. ( Bravecto, Frontline, and Seresto do fight these.) Revolution kills fleas, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, American dog ticks, and heartworms.

Does ear mite cream work on dogs?

Good for ear mites, but misses most ticks in dogs. Unlike most other treatments, this formula kills fleas, and it also tackles ear mites, sarcoptic mange, and heartworms in dogs. But it treats only American dog ticks. It also requires a vet’s prescription and has to be applied every month.

How long does flea medicine last in dogs?

Additionally, OTC flea treatment pills last only a day in your dog’s system instead of 30+ days for prescription options.

How long does it take for a dog to get rid of fleas with Frontline Plus?

If your dog does experience side effects from Frontline, they will often resolve within 2 days. Frontline Plus is a product I would recommend to any dog parent looking for a fast and effective flea treatment. And Frontline Plus is the ideal product for dogs with health issues because it is a safe product.

How long does it take for Capstar to kill fleas?

Capstar is perfect for quickly dealing with a flea infestation, killing fleas in just 30 minutes.

How long does it take for a flea killer to work?

Once applied, it starts killing fleas in just four hours, making it one of the faster over the counter flea medicines.

How long does Seresto last?

Also, since Seresto lasts up to 8-months, you don’t have to deal with flea treatments every month, making it truly the best flea collar without the need for a prescription.

Does Seresto work on ticks?

In addition to fleas and ticks, Seresto also works on sarcoptic mange and biting lice. The Seresto collar works fast and will start killing fleas within 24 hours and will continue to work for up to 8 months. BUY NOW. Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid and Flumethrin.

Did Clyde miss flea treatment?

Thankfully he had no problems finding what he needed, and Clyde didn’t miss his flea treatment.

How long after flea treatment can I pet my cat?

You can usually cuddle and pet your cat immediately after receiving an oral flea prevention medication. Topical products can take a few hours to soak into the skin layer.

Should I worry about Fleas?

Fleas don’t generally like to live on humans, but they can occasionally bite. Flea bites tend to occur around the ankles and feet. Contact your family physician if you suspect you have flea bites.

How often should I apply flea prevention?

It depends on which formulation you decide to use for your cat. Most oral medications are used every 1-3 months that can vary by brand. The standard time frame for applying topical medications is usually every 30 days, but this can depend on the brand used.

Is there anything else I can do to protect my cat against fleas?

Make sure every animal in your household has been treated for fleas. If one pet has an infection, it’s likely the others will contract one, too.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medications

Prescription Required (Rx) Medications

• Rx = Prescription Prescription medications require an approved prescription from a licensed medical professional before they can be dispensed, as they require closer regulation and oversight to ensure they are being used safely and correctly. This could be a tablet, capsule, chew, topical 'spot-on' treatment, injection, powder, or other forms of me...

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