Flea Control Protocols

• Use flea comb daily
• Apply citrus derivative insecticide (D-limolene) according to label
• Apply Frontline® or Advantage® topically as directed
• Initiate long-term control by oral administration of Program® once monthly according to label instructions

Adult Cats

• Use a flea comb as permitted by cat
• Apply Frontline® or Advantage® insecticide topically as directed
• Initiate long-term control by oral administration of Program® once monthly according to label instructions
• Treat environment as described above

CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING FLEA CONTROL

Q “Please sell me one flea collar and a bottle of flea spray for my pet.”
Any client that asks for any flea spray, flea collar or any other flea product is not asking for that particular product. What they really want is FLEA CONTROL. To completely serve that client you must explore the flea situation at hand and completely solve the client’s need. To do any less is a disservice to the client and to the pet.

Q “I have tried that flea pill called Program® and my dog still has fleas.”
Any client’s pet that is currently taking Program® and still has fleas has one of the following problems:
The client is not giving the correct dose.
Program® must be given with a fatty meal.
All pets in the environment must be treated.
Additional environmental control to eradicate the flea colony may be necessary.
Add Frontline® or Advantage® to their flea control protocol.

Q “I left my dog at grandma’s house and she must have gotten fleas there. Now we don’t seem to be able to get them under control.”
Fleas can be acquired from an environment such as your grandmother’s house, but these fleas have not had time to reproduce in your home. It is more likely that while you were gone, the fleas in your house hatched and became very hungry without a pet around to feed on. This happens when people go on vacation. You have a flea colony in your house that depended on periodic blood meals from your pet that were taken away abruptly disturbing the balance. When you returned home, the hungry fleas attacked your pet.

Q “I just left your grooming facility and my dog still has fleas.”
We make every effort to kill every flea on your pet while here to make sure your pet goes home flea free. When grooming a pet the hair coat is cleaned with flea killing shampoo that is then rinsed off. There is little or no residual effect. If your pet had fleas when he came to us, there is a good chance that you have fleas in the pet’s home environment that have re-infested him. There are new flea products that we can apply to your pet after grooming that will kill these fleas. There are also recommendations that we can make on how to control fleas in your environment.

Q “I have two pets. One pet has fleas, I can see them on him, but he doesn’t seem to mind. My other pet does not seem to have fleas yet, but he does have a bald spot on his rump and down his back legs that he will not stop chewing at. When I look for fleas I do not see any. I know his skin irritation and hair loss is not due to fleas.”
Our policy is to “Diagnose Before We Treat”. Any persistent skin problem should have certain tests performed to determine the cause. In addition to a complete physical examination, our doctor will perform these tests. Many skin diseases are a reflection of internal disease. Allergies or parasites are the most common cause of itchy skin in our dogs and cats. Many pets have allergies to fleas. The reason you are not seeing the fleas is because your pet is so sensitive to fleas that he is literally chewing his hair off and chasing them off his body.

Q “I have an outdoor tom cat that roams the neighborhood. What is the most powerful dip that I can use and what can I do to control fleas on him?”
We do not recommend organophosphates to be used on cats. Our most powerful products include Rotenone. Other products are available that will control the fleas on your pet if applied to the coat once a month. These are Frontline® and Advantage®

Q “I have a Maltese that has sensitive skin. What flea spray can I use?”
We recommend flea sprays that are non-toxic to the pet and contain aloe vera or lanolin – These are the water-soluble products that contain the newer synthetic pyrethrins.