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Why do fleas sometimes stay on a pet after application of a topical flea treatment? This is something that veterinarians have been increasingly asked in recent years, as clients are questioning whether topical spot-on products that have been on the market for a number of years are still as effective. Most veterinary experts and parasitologists answer the efficacy question with a resounding YES. |
While researchers and experts acknowledge the persistence of fleas on some pets, the problem is NOT due to resistance of the fleas to products like Advantage, Frontline Plus and Revolution. In fact, resistance has never been documented. Human error is the most common cause for lack of flea control, and much of this involves veterinarians failing to educate clients on the various aspects of flea control. Veterinarians can inform pet owners by showing clients how the spot-ons are applied, to treating all animals in the home. Also, an important part of any flea management program is by making sure the home environment is treated which is where much of the flea life cycle and hardy flea eggs reside. Environmental flea treatment is very important including not only the pet’s bedding, but the rest of the home and yard. Products like Virbac’s Knockout Fogger are often effective for the home, or many clients prefer to have their homes exterminated. With a comprehensive flea and tick control program, the products available today are still the fastest acting and most efficient ever in use for animal guardians.
For more information, read our 4 step guide on How to Kill Fleas In Your Home.
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2 Comments
this year has been a rough year for fleas or so I have been told. I had to have my house exterminated for fleas and I have always treated my cats with Frontline Plus. This and the extermination has finally gotten rid of my flea problem. My cats never go outside. I figure I probably brought the fleas in from the yard. I was wondering if flea control should be used during the winter months or do fleas not die during the winter.
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Many clients use topical flea products all year round, given the recent mild winters. Although many of the topical flea products claim high efficacy against flea eggs, I still find that flea eggs can be quite resistant against these products and thus prefer to keep my clients’ pets on a year round program, especially in those warmer states.
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