Fleas can be a real pest, and a vet flea treatment can help get rid of them quickly. However, you’ll need to take a multi-step approach to fully eradicate them from your pet and home.
Fleas are parasitic insects that live and breed in your home and on your pets. They can spread infections to other pets and people.
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Seresto
Seresto is a veterinarian-recommended flea treatment that works by slowly and continuously releasing two active ingredients over eight months. It’s a safe alternative to monthly flea and tick topicals that are often too irritating or messy to use.
A fine polymer matrix releases controlled doses of imidacloprid and flumethrin as your dog or cat needs them. Its low concentrations are absorbed through the fatty layer of your pet’s skin, and distributed over their entire body to protect them from fleas and ticks for eight months.
While Seresto collars are very safe for your pets, it’s still important to check them regularly to make sure they’re fitted correctly and are not causing irritation. Some dogs have developed skin reactions while wearing them, such as redness, itching, and hair loss.
The two active ingredients in Seresto – imidacloprid and flumethrin – are effective at killing fleas in all stages, including their nymphs, larvae, and adults. They also prevent ticks from attaching and transmitting disease-causing organisms.
Comfortis
Comfortis is a palatable, beef-flavored chewable tablet that quickly starts to kill fleas within 30 minutes of administration and prevents them from returning. It is easy to give, mess-free and will protect your pet for an entire month.
The active ingredient, Spinosad, works on fleas’ nervous system by causing involuntary muscle contractions and tremors which cause paralysis and death. It is effective against both adult and egg-laying fleas.
Dogs and cats 14 weeks of age and older should be given a monthly dose. If vomiting occurs within an hour of administration, re-dose with another full dose.
If dogs or cats have a severe flea infestation, treatment should begin one month before the start of flea season and continue monthly until the end of flea season. In areas where fleas are common year-round, treatment should be continued throughout the entire year without interruption.
Revolution(r)
Revolution(r) is a topical flea and heartworm treatment that kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month. It also treats American dog ticks in dogs and controls ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) infestations in cats.
The active ingredient in Revolution is selamectin. This chemical absorbs into the skin when it’s applied topically and enters blood plasma, circulating in the bloodstream where it kills fleas and prevents heartworm disease by killing parasitic worms that feed on the blood of treated animals.
Once in the blood, it kills 98 to 100 percent of fleas within 12 hours. New fleas that come in contact with treated pets are killed within two hours.
Unlike many other medications, Revolution is water resistant and keeps killing fleas even after swimming, shampooing or exposure to rain and sunlight. It’s a convenient, simple way to keep your pet protected and happy with no risk of toxicity to humans or other pets.
Advantix
Advantix is a vet flea treatment that kills fleas and prevents re-infestation. It also repels ticks that cause Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
It contains imidacloprid and permethrin, which are insect growth regulators that work to overwhelm parasites’ immune systems. Imidacloprid destroys the central nervous system of the flea, while permethrin kills eggs and larvae.
The medication can be applied by hand to the skin or to hair follicles and spread over several areas. For small to medium dogs, Advantage II recommends applying it on 3 or 4 spots down the pet’s back, from their shoulder blades to the base of the tail.
Advantix is safe for most animals but dogs can develop an allergic reaction to the drug if it is used incorrectly or at high doses. This usually manifests as skin irritation at the site of application or a red, burn-like mark. Other symptoms can include increased excitability, panting, and circling behavior.
