Flea and Tick Control

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) or flea bite hypersensitivity is the most common dermatologic disease of domestic dogs & cats in the USA. They can start itching from just 1 bite and cause secondary skin infections. Severe flea infestation can cause anemia in cats.

They can transmit parasites such as tapeworms to people and animals. Fleas are also carriers of murine typhus, transporting bacteria from rodents to people.

Since fleas are annoying and can be detrimental to human and animal health, getting rid of them is usually a  priority.

Flea eggs dropped off your pet and can lay dormant for months, so just getting the fleas and eggs off your pet isn’t enough. In addition to using a flea treatment advised by your veterinarian, the first step in ridding your life of fleas is cleaning everything!

• Treat ALL your pets and their environment at the same time.
• Bathe your pet and use a flea comb to remove fleas. If you plan to use a topical flea treatment, follow the instructions regarding how long to wait before or after bathing.
• Vacuum your carpets and anywhere your dog hangs out (like your couch).  Immediately remove the vacuum bag, place it in a sealed plastic bag, and take it outside to the garbage. You can also put flea powder in the bag before you vacuum to kill any live fleas that may end up inside.
• Launder or replace pets' bedding.
• Thoroughly clean pet carriers.
• Mow your lawn regularly. Rake and discard any leaves or other lawn debris, and keep piles of sand away from your home.
• Whenever possible, discourage wild animals from entering your yard.

Most of the time, if you treat your pet, lawn and home for fleas at the same time, you can get rid of an infestation.

There are a few home remedies for fleas that don't work. While flea collars can help keep fleas off of your pets, they don't have much effect on established infestations. Feeding brewer's yeast, garlic and vitamin supplements to pets is also unlikely to do much good against fleas. Ultrasonic collars also don't appear to act as a flea deterrent or repellent.

~ ~ Parasite Preventions & Treatments Compared ~ ~

Parasite Preventions/ Treatments Sold at The Family Pet and Available Through the Online Pharmacy Vetsource

*Prescription Prevention/Treatments require pets to have had an annual exam within the past year.
**Heartworm Prevention/Treatments require pets to have had a Heartworm Test within the past year.

Product	Dogs	Cats	Usage	Prevents/Treats	How Fast	How Long	*Rx
	✗	✓	Topical	Fleas, Lice	12 Hours	30 Days	✗
	✓	✗	Oral	Fleas, Ticks	2 Hours	90 Days	✓
	✓	✓	Oral	Fleas	30 Minutes	24 Hours	✗
	✓	✓	Oral	Fleas	30 Minutes	30 Days	✓
	✓	✗	Oral	**Heartworms, Roundworms, Hookworms	4 Hours	30 Days	✓
	✓	✗	Oral	Fleas, Ticks	4 Hours	30 Days	✓
	✓	✗	Injection	**Heartworms	7-10 Days	180 Days (6Mo)	✓
	✓	✗	Topical	**Heartworm, Fleas,  Ear mites, Sarcoptic Mange, Ticks	2 Hours	30 Days	✓
	✗	✓	Topical	**Heartworms, Fleas, Ticks, EarMites, Roundworms, Hookworms	6 Hours	30 Days	✓
	✓	✗	Oral	**Heartworms, Fleas, Roundworms, Whipworms, Hookworms	2 Hours	30 days	✓

Parasite Preventions/ Treatments NOT SOLD at The Family Pet, but  Available Through the Online Pharmacy Vetsource

*Prescription Prevention/Treatments require pets to have had an annual exam within the past year.
**Heartworm Prevention/Treatments require pets to have had a Heartworm Test within the last year.

Product	Dogs	Cats	Usage	Prevents/Treats	How Fast	How Long	*Rx
	✓	✓	Topical	Fleas, Ticks	12 Hours	30 Days	✗
	✓	✓	Topical	Fleas, Lice	12 Hours	30 Days	✗
	✓	✓	Topical	Fleas, Ticks	24 Hours	30 Days	✗
	✓	✗	Oral	**Heartworm, Fleas, Intestinal Worms	24 Hours	30 days	✓