McClung's Animal Hospital

Fleas are so small you can hardly see them, yet they can cause much irritation and suffering for our pets. One fleabite can cause chewing, biting, itching, tapeworms, or even a flea allergy dermatitis. Unbelievably when you see one flea, there are usually ten more adults nearby. The adult’s lay 40 to 60 eggs in your home each day. The eggs are deposited on furniture, carpeting and bedding and soon hatch into larvae that feed on organic material in the environment. The larvae then spin a cocoon that becomes pupae. The cocoon on the pupae protects them from frigid weather, pesticides and harsh environments. With ideal temperatures (70 degree Fahrenheit) and humidity (70%) the pupae emerge as adults. Adult fleas may live anywhere from six to twelve months in ideal conditions. With the right conditions this entire life cycle can occur in as few as 10-14 days. So within 30 days, ten adult fleas can produce a quarter of a million fleas.

McClung’s Animal Hospital recommends starting your pet on a flea preventative before the flea season starts. Normally we recommend starting your flea preventative May 1st.
If your pet has fleas, your house has fleas. A three point attack should be taken to control fleas, the pet, the house and the outside environment. To find if your house is infested, place a bowl of soapy water near a lamp and leave it overnight. There will be evidence of fleas in the bowl the next morning if the house is infested. There are many flea treatments and preventatives available. Please refer to flea prevention and reduction (on the next page) for the best flea control of your premises and flea treatment and control for your pet.

1.Immediate relief: Administer Capstar, a fast acting oral tablet that rids the pet of fleas within 30 minutes. Have pet bathed in the hospital or bathe at home with a prescription flea shampoo. This removes the flea dirt (blood for larvae) and destroys adult fleas. Remember all pets in the household must be treated.

2.Administer Flea control: When dry, administer a monthly prevention for residual pet protection. After the pet has been bathed and treated, we have a zero starting point of no fleas. Now we must maintain flea protection for the pet. There are several flea control programs available to protect your pet against fleas.

For a complete listing of flea products available through McClung’s Animal Hospital please refer to available flea control (on the last page). The doctors and staff at McClung’s Animal Hospital will be happy to assist you in choosing the best flea control for your pets. A three-month minimum treatment is needed for all pets affected.

3.Household treatment: : The first step is to vacuum thoroughly the day of treatment. Pay special attention to vacuuming under the furniture, couch cushions, and all wall-floor and floor-furniture junctions. Discard vacuum bag outside immediately after finishing. Wash the pet’s bedding in hot water. The next step is to kill the fleas and apply residual protection in the house. Don’t forget the basement: Moderate and humid temperatures in the basement are the perfect breeding ground for fleas.

a. Treat all floor surfaces with our recommended premises spray. Direct the spray under furniture and make sure wall-floor junctions are treated.

b. Repeat application must be done in two weeks. Insecticides used in the house are only effective against the adult fleas, immature flea, and eggs. No available products are effective against cocoons. The first application will destroy the adults and the second application will destroy the fleas that have emerged from eggs in the environment.

4. Exterior treatment: The outside is easily treated with an insecticide with residual properties. Most treatments are dispensed in a concentrated solution that is diluted and applied with a hand sprayer. Concentrate on treating the areas around entrances and where pets like to lie (under the porch). Repeat applications are a must. The insecticides can be washed away with heavy rains and extreme weather.

McClung’s Animal Hospital offers complete flea treatment for immediate relief. A follow up flea product should be used a month after the bath and treatment. Follow up flea products should be used for a minimum of 3 months and/or until the end of flea season.

McClung’s Animal Hospital offers a complete line of flea control products for pets and premises. Most of these products (when used properly) are guaranteed that our clients will be satisfied. We also have trained staff and facilities to offer flea baths and therapeutic bathing for immediate pet relief.

Once- a -month prevention: All of our products that are dispensed and prescribed have a Satisfaction Guarantee.

1. Advantage
A once a month flea control for dogs and cats that is a liquid applied to the surface of the skin. It begins killing on contact and will kill 98-100% of the fleas on the pet within 12 hours. This product does not control ticks. It cannot be washed off once applied so it is effective even after bathing and swimming.

2. Advantage Multi
A once-a-month liquid flea control for dogs and cats applied to the surface of the skin. It is also effective against all external parasites (ear mites) and most internal parasites including heartworm. This product does not control ticks.

3. Advantix
A once a month flea and tick control for dogs only that is a liquid applied to the surface of the skin. It begins killing on contact and will kill 98-100% of the fleas and ticks on the pet within 12 hours. It remains effective after bathing and swimming.

4. Frontline, Top Spot
A once a month liquid flea and tick control for dogs and cats that is applied to the surface of the skin. In 24 hours it kills all of the fleas; in 48 hours it kills all of the ticks. The product is effective on the pet for 4 weeks. It cannot be washed off once applied, so it is effective even after bathing and swimming.

5. Comfortis
It’s a simple convenient once-a-month oral flea control for dogs. Comfortis starts killing fleas fast before they can lay eggs to prevent infestation. This product does not control ticks.

Shampoos:
Mycodex (pyrethirin based) is safe for puppies, kittens, and adult pets. This shampoo can be used in conjunction with most of our flea products.

Insecticidal Sprays:
Effective but some once a month topicals are much more effective and convenient. Not all flea sprays are the same. Prescription sprays that we recommend are safe, effective, and guaranteed.

Household surface spray treatment. It is designed for use on carpets, rugs furniture, and pet bedding. It is available in aerosol. This is very effective against adult fleas and contains a growth regulator for immature forms.