Killing Fleas
The Problem
Flea infestation has been one of the most talked about pet problems that most pet owners ever encounter. Fleas jump all around and can easily transfer from the surroundings to the pet and even from one pet to another although not that common. The sad thing is that the immediate environments of these pets can easily become infested with the same like at home, in the park and many other areas where they usually lurk around.
When fleas have found a suitable home to live in, they will try their best to stay there for as long as they like. Take note, the female flea lays as much as 50 eggs daily. You can just imagine how many eggs accumulate in a month’s time. Chances are whenever you have a pet he will surely experience at least one flea infestation within his entire lifetime. Based on a 2005 survey, it has been noted that 1 out of 5 cats and 1 out of 10 dogs has suffered from such at one point in time.
Flea Control with the Right Treatment Products
When it comes to flea control, and even ticks, vets always prescribe some of the best products that can help control and stop the progress of any possible infestation. One popular product is the Frontline Spot On. Having the Fipronil component, this treatment option is said to be one of the top choices by most vets because of the following key benefits:
o It can be used for both cats and dogs.
o It kills fleas (the Ctenocephalides species), ticks (i.e Ixodes ricinus) and even the biting lice (Trichodectes canis) fast (within 1-2 days).
o It offers long lasting flea protection.
o It can be used for at least an 8-week old puppy that weighs more than 2 kg.
o For dogs, it offers about 2 months worth of protection from fleas after application of the product. For cats, about 5 weeks protection can be achieved.
o It is both an ovicidal and larvicidal treatment, which means it can help stop the seemingly endless multiplication or flea growths by killing the eggs and larva respectively.
o It can also be used for the control of FAD or Flea Allergy Dermatitis.
How to apply the Frontline Spot On
You can expose your pet’s skin by separating his coat at the shoulder blade area (neck area). When it is already visible you can then place the tip of the pipette spot, at the same time holding it upright, over the dog’s skin and gently pressing out the contents. It is more preferable to concentrate on putting the contents either at the skull’s base or an additional 2-3 centimeters back. Here’s the formulation:
o 0.67 ml pipette per pet, for dogs weighing 2 kg to 10 kg
o 1.34 ml pipette for 10 kg to 20 kg
o 2.68 ml pipette for 20 kg to 40 kg
o 4.02 pipette for 40 kg to 60 kg
o Two 2.68 ml pipettes can be used for dogs weighing more than 60 kg.
Just try not to overdo the pouring of contents on the skin or coat because this may result to a sticky hair appearance at the treatment area. Nevertheless, when this scenario occurs it will just subside in a day’s time. Moreover, treatment interval is at least 4 weeks but it can also be for 5 or 6 weeks.
Prevent your pet from licking the content that’s why it is best to pour the product on an area that is hard to lick. Make sure that other dogs will not lick the treatment spot of your pet as well. If your pet accidentally licks the content, you’ll observe a short hyper salivation episode. You can resume handling of your dog 24 hours after treatment or when the formula has already dried out.
Additional Tips for the Pet Owners
Although a prescription and clinical assessment is not required prior to buying Frontline Spot On, you are encouraged to seek the vet’s advice on the use of the product most especially if your pet is showing any sign of irritation involving the skin or if he is looking sick. As a general rule however, do not use the product on sick animals.
Frontline Spot On is a treatment formula that is for external use only. Avoid contact of the actual contents on the eyes of your pet for it can cause mucosal irritation. In the same way, make sure you don’t rub your hands near your eyes after handling the formulation. Make a habit of frequently washing your hands with soap and water after use although it is ideal not to touch the actual content with your bare hands. It can also be applied or used safely by pregnant and lactating pets. Overall, as the name implies, Frontline Spot On is truly one of the front liners against fleas!
Frontline Spot On cat 3 pack £10.79…………………..
Frontline Spot On cat 6 pack £17.99…………………..
Frontline Spot On dog small dog 3 pack £13.99……
Frontline Spot On dog small dog 6 pack £22.49……
Frontline Spot On medium dog 3 pack £14.99………
Frontline Spot On medium dog 6 pack £24.49……..
Frontline Spot On large dog 3 pack £16.79…………
Frontline Spot On Large dog 6 pack £26.79………..
Frontline Spot On extra large dog 3 pack £ 19.19..
Frontline Spot On extra large dog 6 pack £30.99..
Another remarkable product, although newer is the Effipro Spot On. It is a very identical treatment to that of the Frontline Spot On formula and contains the same active ingredients. The best advantage of using this product, as what many users have come to realize, is the price. Effipro Spot On treatment solutions are generally much cheaper than the Frontline Spot On.
Brought into the limelight by Virbac, Effipro Spot On treatments can be used by both cats and dogs. With regard to untoward reactions when using this product, there are suspected cases wherein some adverse effects have surfaced. These effects include alopecia or baldness at a confined area where the content was applied, another effect is pruritus that can be local or generalized and the last is erythema (a form of skin reddening). Although these adverse reactions seem serious, they are quite rare, which are almost second to none. All in all, most of the other important technical, packaging and formulation details about Effipro Spot On remain fairly the same with Frontline.
Click here to buy Effipro Spot On for dogs and Effipro Spot On for cats
3. Household Flea Sprays: Indorex, Acclaim, Skoosh and Staykill
Another strong piece of advice to really eradicate your pet’s flea problem is to treat his immediate environment that is most likely infested as well. Start treating your home first by using some flea sprays. In this regard, there are four popular brands that serve the same purpose. These household flea sprays are the following: Indorex, Acclaim, Skoosh and Staykill. These sprays are usually available in either 400 or 500 bottles. And their price ranges are almost the same.
A. Indorex
Because it is a fact that the fleas spend more time not on the pets but within the actual environment where the pets reside; carpets, rugs and beddings must all be sprayed because these are some of the most popular flea habitats around. Indorex is recommended by many veterinarians because of its efficacy. It can be used to eradicate dust mites therefore reducing the incidence of allergies and skin diseases not only in your pets but also among human dwellers. Indorex has permethrin, pyripoxyfen and piperonyl butoxide as its active ingredients. You also need to observe closed doors and windows for 30 minutes after spraying your treatment area (room) to ensure maximum coverage of the formulation. One average sized bottle or can of Indorex is capable of spraying 3 standard bedrooms (79 sq. m.)
Indorex household flea spray 500ml £11.99…..
B. Vetkem
Acclaim has Precor that helps regulate the growth of insects and fleas breaking their normal life cycle. It also has a powerful insecticide that kills adult fleas and other insects. Moreover, it is said that a regular sized Acclaim can cover a typical house area (about 140 sq.m.). Thus it has a wider coverage than Indorex.
Vetkem Acclaim household flea spray 400ml £10.79…..
C. Skoosh
Skoosh is a powerful anti-flea spray because it targets every life cycle of the flea. It makes use of silicone, which traps pupae. The latter are usually the ones that are hard to kill in other conventional sprays. Dimeticone and Cyclomethicone are the two active ingredients used in Skoosh.
Skoosh household flea spray 400ml £11.99…..
D. Staykill
This spray is considered to be environmentally friendly because it is CFC free. A single usage of this product can offer up to half a year of protection. In addition, it targets more on the larva and egg flea stages.
Staykill household flea spray 500ml £11.99…..
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