Cape Ann Veterinary Hospital    978-283-3238


Flea and Tick Information 
Scroll down for:
-Our advice on treating flea infestations
-A comparison chart of our flea and tick products
-A Lyme tick size chart 

Facts about fleas
Your pet may not be itchy even if there is a flea problem.
Fleas are the most common parasite of companion animals.
Fleas are the leading cause of tapeworm infection in pets.
Fleas are a major cause of skin allergies (a reaction to the saliva of the biting fleas).
Fleas are difficult to eradicate from your home. Fleas lays 50 eggs a day.
Fleas enter a dormant phase during which they are resistant to many sprays.
Flea eggs lay dormant for up to 6 months and hatch in a bloom in the Fall.


Flea prevention

Topical products such as Frontline Plus, Advantix, Advantage and Revolution should be applied monthly at least June through December. Some of these products are also used to deter ticks and mosquitoes and are thus often used year-round.

Note, however, that topical products that deter mosquitoes are not effective for heartworm prevention; products specifically designed for heartworm protection are far superior to mosquito repellants.

Do not bathe pets 48 hours before or after application of a topical flea or tick product since many of those products rely on the presence of normal skin oils to distribute effectively through the skin.

How to treat an existing flea problem

You must treat all pets in the house.
Flea dips and shampoos are ultimately ineffective to control a flea problem.

   In cats:

      Begin monthly topical Advantage or Frontline for a minimum of 3 months.
     Oral Program (3 months of treatment) can be used in addition to topicals to help sterilize fleas.
     Oral Capstar may be used to rapidly kill fleas on your cat (effect lasts for 24 hours).

   In dogs:

      Rapidly kill all adult fleas with oral Comfortis and continue once a month for 3 months.
      If your dog will not take oral medication, use a topical like Advantix or Frontline Plus (see below).
      Oral Program (3 months of treatment) can be used in addition to Comfortis or topicals to sterilize fleas.
   


Treating the environment

Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! Vacuuming twice a week for 3 weeks can dramatically decrease the environmental population of fleas. Adult fleas will die in the vacuum bag and the warmth and vibration of the vacuum will trigger eggs in the environment to develop more quickly thereby becoming more readily vacuumed up later in the week. Make sure to vacuum rugs, hardwood floors, linoleum, furniture, etc.

In addition, you can consider spraying the environment with a product such as Siphotrol (which contains permethrin, an adulticide and insect growth regulator that helps kill flea eggs and larvae).


Call us for advice. We are knowledgeable about our products and can help you determine the best way to manage any flea-related problems in your home.


Flea and Tick Product Comparison Chart

  • We recommend year-round flea and tick prevention for all dogs and for cats that go outdoors.
  • If not done year-round, flea prevention should be implemented at least from June through December.
  • These products are guaranteed by the manufacturers only when purchased through our hospital. The guarantee is not extended from the manufacturer for most online purchases because of the risk of buying harmful counterfeit products on the internet.

Product

Target

Minimum Age

Dosage, Administration

Active Ingredients / Effects

Other

           

Frontline Plus

 

(topical)

 

 

 

Fleas + Ticks

 

 

 

Cats: 8 weeks

Dogs: 8 weeks

 

 

 

Monthly

 

(Can supplement with topical spray as needed)

 

 

Fipronil - agricultural insecticide that kills fleas and ticks

 

Methoprene - inhibits flea egg development

 

 

 

**Fleas and ticks becoming resistant**

 

Distributed through the lipid layer of skin

 

Do not bathe for 24 hrs before or after

 

Skin irritation is from the cosmetic base

 

Does not enter environment/ H2O supply

 

Advantix

 

(topical)

 

 

Fleas

+

Ticks

 

 

7 weeks

 

 

 

Monthly

 

Year-round

 

 

Imidacloprid - kills fleas

 

Permethrin - kills fleas, repels and kills

ticks and mosquitoes

 

For dogs only; permethrins are toxic to cats

 

 

Preventic Collar

 

 

Ticks

only

 

 

12 weeks

 

 

 

Replace every 3 months

 

 

Amitraz distributed through lipid layer of skin and dissolves tick's mouth parts

 

 

Dogs only; less effective if they swim

 

Can use with Frontline and Advantix

 

Don't let small children chew collars

           

 

Advantage

 

(topical)

 

 

Fleas

only

 

 

Cats: 8 weeks

Dogs: 7 weeks

 

 

Monthly

 

June - Dec minimum

 

 

Imidacloprid kills flea larvae on contact and paralyzes and kills adult fleas

 

 

For cats and dogs

 

 

 

Capstar

 

(oral)

 

Fleas

only

 

 

 

Must be over

4 weeks & 2 lbs

 

 

One pill daily

 

 

Nitenpyram kills fleas rapidly

 

No effect on ticks

 

Safe in pregnant animals

 

For dogs and cats

 

Only effective for 24 hours

Comfortis

 

(oral)

 

Fleas

only

 

> 14 weeks

 

 

Monthly chewable

 

 

Spinosad kills fleas rapidly

 

No effect on ticks

 

Dogs ONLY

 

 

 

Program

 

(oral)

 

Fleas

only

 

4 weeks

 

 

 

Monthly

 

 

Lufenuron prevents flea egg hatching

 

**Won't kill adult fleas**

 

 

Can use with topical flea preventatives

 

 

 

Revolution

 

(topical)

 

 

Fleas

+

Heartworm

 

 

Cats: 8 weeks

Dogs: 6 weeks

 

 

Monthly

 

Year-round

 

 

Selamectin for heartworms, sarcoptic mange, ear mites, and somewhat for fleas and ticks

 

 

Good option if dog won't take oral meds

 

Not very effective against fleas or ticks

 

Free Preventic collar w/ 6 month supply

 

Sentinel

 

(oral)

 

Fleas

+

Heartworm

 

Must be over

4 weeks & 2 lbs

 

 

Monthly

 

Year-round

 

 

Milbemycin for heartworms, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms

 

Lufenuron prevents flea egg hatching

**Won't kill adult fleas**

Sentinel = Interceptor + Program

 

Must be given with a meal for proper absorption

 










































        








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