External parasites

WHAT IS A FLEA?

A flea is a small wingless insect that is known for its exceptional jumping ability; it can jump up to 1,000 times its own height. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the most common flea species, not only on cats, but also on dogs in most areas of the world. Adult fleas live permanently on the skin and feed on the blood of cats and dogs. Heavy infestations can cause severe anaemia in young kittens. Flea bites can cause skin irritation followed by biting, scratching and rubbing by your pet that may result in skin disease and dermatitis.

WHY TREAT FOR FLEAS?

In addition to the irritation and the loss of blood caused by flea bites, they may cause a serious skin allergy in sensitive cats, Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD). The main features of FAD in cats are severe itching, hair loss and skin ulceration affecting the skin of the back towards the tail, the rump, thighs and perianal area. The severity of FAD is not proportional to the number of fleas seen because only a very few bites may be enough to trigger this skin disease in a sensitive animal.

HOW DO FLEAS DEVELOP?

Adult fleas stay on the same animal for extended periods. Once off the animal, they can survive only 1 to 4 days in the environment before they must return to feed. Only a small number of adult fleas ever move from one animal to another, and so the risk of fleas transferring directly from an infested animal to another animal is low.

Adult fleas reproduce very quickly, and each female may lay up to 50 eggs per day for several weeks. These white, oval eggs (0.5 mm long) are laid in the cat's coat, after which they fall off into the environment, particularly when the cat is resting. In warm and humid conditions, the eggs hatch in a few days to produce microscopic larvae. These larvae feed on organic debris in the environment – especially faeces produced by adult fleas, 'flea dirt'. Larvae actively look for humidity and move away from light.

Within a few days to one month, each larva spins a cocoon, inside which it pupates to a new adult flea in about 10 days. When environmental conditions are optimal, including the availability of host cats or dogs, the emergence of adults from their cocoons is almost instantaneous. The whole development cycle may be completed in 3 weeks, but fully formed adult fleas can survive in the cocoon for up to 6 months. These pre-emerged adults constitute a large reserve of parasites in the environment that can immediately hatch and seek a passing host. The fleas seen on a pet represent only 5% of the problem. The other 95% of the problem exists in the environment as eggs, larvae and pupae.

HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST FLEAS?

Because fleas can survive in heated houses in winter, pets may be subjected to infestation all year round, with a peak in both spring and summer. Routine treatment all year will protect your kitten against infestations.

In order to effectively protect a cat, fleas on the animal and in its environment must be controlled.

INTEGRATED FLEA CONTROL

Integrated Flea Control (IFC) is the use of a combination of methods to combat a flea problem, and is currently recommended by experts as the best solution to flea problems. IFC involves the use of a product to kill adult fleas, in conjunction with an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) to prevent the development of the immature stages of the flea life cycle. To provide complete IFC, mechanical control methods (vacuuming, steam-cleaning, washing bedding) also have to be implemented. FRONTLINE PLUS provides two components of IFC in one spot-on pipette.

ACHIEVE BETTER FLEA CONTROL 24 HOURS A DAY

• Treat all cats and dogs in your household.
• Ensure FRONTLINE PLUS is applied every month throughout the year.
• Regular vacuuming will remove eggs and stimulate fleas to emerge.
• Regularly wash pet blankets and bedding in hot water (>60°C for 10 minutes).
• Avoid untreated animals entering your home environment.

FRONTLINE PLUS BREAKS THE FLEA LIFE CYCLE AT EVERY STAGE