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 Tick season will begin shortly, first with the smaller Lyme (deer) ticks (see finger), and later the larger Brown dog tick will appear.
Topical applications, such as Frontline and Advantix work best to prevent tick attachment,
as well as Preventic collars. Avoid walking in wooded, brushy areas when possible.
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.
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Product
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Target
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Minimum Age
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Dosage, Administration
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Active Ingredients / Effects
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Other
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Frontline Plus
(topical)
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Fleas + Ticks
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Cats: 8 weeks
Dogs: 8 weeks
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Monthly
(Can supplement with topical spray as needed)
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Fipronil - agricultural insecticide that kills fleas and ticks
Methoprene - inhibits flea egg development
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**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 |
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Advantix
(topical)
|
Fleas
+
Ticks
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7 weeks
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Monthly
Year-round
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Imidacloprid - kills fleas
Permethrin - kills fleas, repels and kills
ticks and mosquitoes
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For dogs only; permethrins are toxic to cats
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Preventic Collar
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Ticks
only
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12 weeks
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Replace every 3 months
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Amitraz distributed through lipid layer of skin and dissolves tick's mouth parts
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Dogs only; less effective if they swim
Can use with Frontline and Advantix
Don't let small children chew collars
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Advantage
(topical)
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Fleas
only
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Cats: 8 weeks
Dogs: 7 weeks
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Monthly
June - Dec minimum
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Imidacloprid kills flea larvae on contact and paralyzes and kills adult fleas
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For cats and dogs
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Capstar
(oral)
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Fleas
only
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Must be over
4 weeks & 2 lbs
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One pill daily
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Nitenpyram kills fleas rapidly
No effect on ticks
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Safe in pregnant animals
For dogs and cats
Only effective for 24 hours
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Comfortis
(oral)
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Fleas
only
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> 14 weeks
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Monthly chewable
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Spinosad kills fleas rapidly
No effect on ticks
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Dogs ONLY
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Program
(oral)
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Fleas
only
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4 weeks
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Monthly
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Lufenuron prevents flea egg hatching
**Won't kill adult fleas**
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Can use with topical flea preventatives
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Revolution
(topical)
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Fleas
+
Heartworm
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Cats: 8 weeks
Dogs: 6 weeks
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Monthly
Year-round
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Selamectin for heartworms, sarcoptic mange, ear mites, and somewhat for fleas and ticks
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Good option if dog won't take oral meds
Not very effective against fleas or ticks
Free Preventic collar w/ 6 month supply
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Sentinel
(oral)
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Fleas
+
Heartworm
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Must be over
4 weeks & 2 lbs
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Monthly
Year-round
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Milbemycin for heartworms, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms
Lufenuron prevents flea egg hatching
**Won't kill adult fleas**
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Sentinel = Interceptor + Program
Must be given with a meal for proper absorption
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