Fleas are difficult to see, but you can certainly tell when they're
around – especially when they're on your pet.
The following are warning signs that there may be fleas on your
pet:
| BLACK SPECKS |
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Black specks on your pet or in
your dog's or cat's bed may be "flea dirt" – the fecal matter
from adult fleas. There are two easy ways to check for black specks: |
| • |
Flea Comb – available from your veterinarian (the
metal ones are the best). Run the comb over your pet, making sure the comb reaches
the skin through the coat. If black specks are on the comb when you pull it off,
they might be flea dirt. If fleas are on the comb, drown them in a bowl of soapy
water before they can get away or jump back on your pet. |
| • |
White paper towel – place a white paper towel beneath
your pet and rub your hands across its fur. If black specks appear on the towel,
it may be flea dirt. |
|
| AGITATION/SCRATCHING |
| |
If infested with fleas, your pet
may become very nervous and annoyed and may scratch excessively. |
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If these warning signs appear, consult your veterinarian.
You can control your pet's existing fleas and help prevent them from bothering
your pet again with monthly applications
of one of the FRONTLINE® Brand Products.
Ailments -
Fleas can affect your pet's health in the following ways:
| Flea Allergy Dermatitis
(FAD) |
 |
When a flea bites your dog or cat, it deposits a small
amount of saliva in the skin. Your pet can develop FAD in reaction to this saliva,
which causes severe itching. In addition to your pet scratching or biting excessively
around the tail, groin or backside, scabs or bumps may also appear on your pet's
neck or back. |
|
| |
| Anemia |
|
Anemia may occur in pets if
too many fleas suck their blood. The signs of anemia include pale gums, weakness
and lethargy in your pet. |
|
| |
| Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) |
 |
Dogs or cats may become infected with tapeworms by ingesting an infected flea. Pets may have intense anal itching, and tapeworm segments may be seen around the anal area or in the feces. |
|
| |
| Rickettsiosis (Rickettsia felis) |
 |
Infected cats may not have clinical signs
or show symptoms, but this disease can be passed to humans through flea bites. People with this
infection may have severe headache, high fever, delerium and depression. |
|
| |
| Plague (Yersinia pestis) |
 |
Three forms of plague are seen in cats and
people: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Bubonic is the most common
in cats and is associated with high fever, dehydration and enlarged lymph nodes. |
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| |
| Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae) |
 |
Although cats usually have no signs of this
disease, it can be passed to people, by contamination of cat scratches with flea excrement. Signs in infected people include a
pustule at the infection site, low-grade fever, enlarged lymph nodes and listlessness. |
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If you believe that your pet is suffering from any
of these ailments, consult your veterinarian. Contact your physician if you believe
you may be infected with any of these diseases. You may be able to help lower the risk of
you and your pet suffering from these flea-bite related ailments by regularly applying
FRONTLINE Brand Products to your pet.
Prevention
FRONTLINE Brand Products kill fleas already on your dog or
cat and help to protect against new flea infestations – even if you forget to
re-apply them on time. (To stay on top of your pet's FRONTLINE product applications, sign up
for our free
email
reminders!) FRONTLINE products are easy
to use and highly effective. Research has shown up to 100% of fleas on your pet are killed
within 18 hours of application. In addition to applying FRONTLINE products, the following steps
can also be taken to prevent fleas from infesting your pet:
Vacuuming -
Frequently vacuum the areas your pet is around, especially carpeted areas in your home,
any furniture that is frequented by your pet, and in your car (if your pet rides in
your car). This will clean up as many immature fleas (eggs, larvae and pupae) as possible.
Washing -
Regularly wash your pet's bedding, blanket and other washable items in the hottest
water possible (check the laundering instructions to make sure that washing in hot
water isn't
a problem).
Yard Work -
Mow your lawn and rake up any leaves, brush or clippings.
Reference: Greene CE - Infectious diseases of the dog and cat. 3rd edition, St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier, 2006. |
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