Flea allergy dermatitis is common in dogs that are not on flea preventatives. Flea infestations are probably one of the most aggravating things to deal with. To ensure that your pet is happy and healthy, you should understand the potential health risks from not using flea and tick preventatives.
You also may be wary about applying flea and tick meds on your cat or dog, if so, you’re not alone. Some of these products may have side effects, so it’s vital to educate yourself on which flea products to use and how to apply them properly.
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned pet parents and veterinarians about the neurological risks, including seizures, ataxia, and muscle tremors in pets treated with specific flea and tick pet meds.
This warning applied to all flea meds in the isoxazoline class- products like NexGard (afoxolaner), Bravecto (fluralaner), Simparica (sorolaner), and Credelio (lotilaner) Revolution Plus that was recently added in 2019, which is a combination of selamectin and sorolaner. Today, isoxazoline carries a warning on their label in both the U.S and in Canada.
How to Get Rid of Fleas?
With that in mind, you should always reach out to your veterinarian for the best advice when it comes down to which flea and tick product to use on your pet. Some parents prefer using a natural flea shampoo that is non-toxic together with a flea comb to help get rid of pesky fleas.
Although this involves a tad more work, it may be well worth it for your pet. Always read the label on your pet’s flea and tick meds before applying and make sure that you understand the side effects of every flea and tick product before applying. Using a flea and tick pet med is necessary, especially during the spring and summertime when these little critters are abundant.
All pups and dogs should begin flea treatment during puppyhood, and this should be maintained year-round for the absolute prevention of fleas, ticks, and heartworm disease, as well as for the treatment and control of intestinal worms.
You should try to apply the flea and tick meds at the same time each month for optimal efficacy. If you find that you’re slightly reluctant about using a topical flea and tick pet med, reach out to your veterinarian so that you can discuss which products are the safest for your pet. There are also product videos that you can watch.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Not only do fleas cause flea allergy dermatitis, but fleas will affect your family and home as well. As a concerned pet parent, you should learn everything you can about parasite prevention so that you can learn how to apply it correctly and safely without harming pets or family members.
If you’re like us, you may be interested in natural flea preventatives that may not have serious side effects. Sometimes these may not be as effective, but today some excellent natural products do work and prevent flea and tick infestations on your dog and in your home.
As a pet parent, it’s essential to take flea control measures seriously so that your dog does not get fleas or ticks. If your pup has fleas, you should first eliminate fleas in all life stages on your dog and in your home.
If you’re using topical flea treatments, these can take from 12-36 hours until the medication has spread sufficiently to kill all the existing fleas.
In-home studies demonstrate the need to treat the environment itself with the newer topicals and oral flea control products.
When using these products on your furry best friend, it’s possible to get rid of fleas at home, yet it’s key to keep in mind that the amount of time needed to maintain flea control will vary life cycle and conditions in the environment.
Occasionally, it may take as long as six weeks to 3 months to control a flea-infested area. That said, when there’s an enormous flea infestation, you’ll need to treat your home to get rid of the fleas. This means that you’ll have to treat the outside areas that he frequents if your dog spends time by the pool or in the garden. When doing that, it’s best to read up on product safety to ensure that your children and pets are safe when outdoors.
Fleas
Fleas are one of the most common types of parasites found in the U.S. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) adds that fleas can irritate pets, causing severe skin problems and even disease. They add that “Modern medicines make treatment, control, and prevention of many external parasites much easier than in the past.”
Signs of Fleas
Once your pet has fleas, they can spread quickly and everywhere that your dog goes. This includes other pets and your home. Bayer adds that fleas can apply in just 30 days, and ten fleas can become an infestation of up to 250,000 adult fleas on your dog and in your home.
In some pets, a flea bite can result in an allergic reaction called flea bite hypersensitivity. This is also called flea allergy dermatitis(FAD). It’s important to prevent flea infestation because fleas can also result in severe health conditions like anemia and tapeworm infections in pets. AVMA says that if your pet ingests a flea carrying tapeworm eggs when he bites them off with his teeth, he may become infected with certain types of tapeworm.
Treatment and Control
An effective way of ensuring that your dog or cat carries no fleas is using a monthly product year-round that kills fleas and treats flea infestations fast. If you’re using year-round flea protection, there will be no gaps in the prevention treatment, and your pet will have the most effective treatment year-round.
From chews, pills, shampoos, and collars, there are numerous options to choose from to keep your cat or dog healthy throughout the year. You should also remember to check for ticks during the spring and summer after your pet has been outdoors.
Essential Tips for Using Flea Treatments
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are an essential ingredient in flea treatment. IGR’s will inhibit flea eggs from developing and interrupt the flea cycle.
Products like K9 Advantage include this, but you should consult with your veterinarian before opting to use a specific flea product to discuss all your options. Here’s the take on how to use topical flea treatments:
- Let your vet know about which flea products you’ve used in the past and how recently you’ve applied them.
- Always follow label instructions carefully.
- You should not apply a dog flea product on a cat or cat flea product on a dog.
- If your pet is chewing excessively and has skin irritations, hot spots, and hair loss, consult with your vet.
- If you have multiple pets and one is infected, make sure to let your vet know. You may need to treat all your pets for infestations.
- Always work with your vet to control any flea infestation situation to be done safely without harming your pet.
- Ensure prompt veterinary treatment for flea issues to avoid serious health issues and lessen your pet’s discomfort.
How to Apply Flea and Tick Medication?
- Reach your dog or cat’s skin with the applicator tip. You should not place the applicator tip in your dog or cat’s coat hair because hair cannot absorb the topical flea meds.
- Slide the applicator beneath your dog’s fur (instead of parting his hair with your hand)
- Apply the flea topical along your cat’s or dog’s back where your pet cannot reach and lick it off.
- You can either apply the topical to one spot or several spots (look at your product instructions and weigh your pet before using any flea product)
- It may be beneficial to apply the topical above and below the pet’s collar with numerous cats and dogs.
- For easy-going felines, use the topical at the base of the cat’s skull instead of along the back. If your fur baby can lick it off, the flea solution won’t work, and your cat may get side effects.
- You should not rub the tick or flea product into the skin or coat.
- Keep your fingers away from the applicator tip so that your pet, and not you, receive the dose.
- Squeeze the tube empty.
- Praise your pet for sitting still.
How to Use a Flea Control Shampoo?
There are numerous dog flea and tick shampoo options for dogs and cats on the market that can be safe and effective when used correctly. Parasite protection is not “one-size fits all.” Different factors will affect the type and dose of a flea product.
This will include the age, species, breed, and health, as well as lifestyle of your pet, together with any pet meds that they may be getting. Veterinarians recommend using plenty of caution when opting for a flea product for your furry best friend, most especially if they’re young or old.
The AVMA explains that “Use a flea comb on puppies and kittens that are too young for flea/tick products. Some products should not be used on very old pets. Some breeds are sensitive to certain ingredients that can make them extremely ill. Flea and tick preventives and some medications can interfere with each other, resulting in unwanted side effects, toxicities, or even ineffective doses; it’s important that your veterinarian is aware of all of your pet’s medications when considering the optimal flea and tick preventive for your pet.”
Flea dog shampoos may feature a variety of ingredients that your pet may be sensitive to. To keep your cat or dog safe, it’s best to reach out to your vet to discuss the use of flea preventatives before going out and purchasing them. Your vet will help you make the best choice, all the while taking your pet’s health and age into consideration.
- Bathe your adult dog with a high-quality flea control shampoo made for dogs.
- You should leave on the shampoo for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. (read the directions)
- Flea shampoos that are crafted with a natural insecticide called d-limonene are safe and effective for pups and senior dogs to use.
If your furry best friend has a skin irritation, you should not apply a topical flea preventative. These should only be used for healthy skin in pets. Keep in mind that the topical meds will not be carried to the epidermis if your pet has thick, dry or crusty skin.
All in all, your pet should be on a healthy diet combined with omega-three fatty acids and flaxseed oils for optimal skin and coat health. Another effective practice is to bathe your pets regularly and frequently wash your pet’s bedding to prevent a flea contamination. As usual, always have pet insurance so that you can provide your pet with a long happy and healthy life.
If you have an issue or need to report a pet flea product, you should reach out to the National Pesticide
Information Center (NPIC) for advice. If your pet has an adverse reaction to a product, reach out to 1-888-FDAVETS.
