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 FLEAS:
Cat ownership inevitably introduces you to more aspects of
Nature than you had bargained for. Welcome to the joys of parasitology!
You probably don't want to know just how many different creepy
crawlies might be lurking on that little fluffy bundle curled
up on your bed, but the one you're likely to encounter at some
point is the flea.
How does my cat catch fleas?
The cat flea is an extremely common parasite. Outdoor cats pick
them up from mixing with other cats or by walking through areas
where other cats have been. Indoor cats are not safe either.
Fleas can hitch a lift home on your clothing then hop onto a
more desirable host when they meet your cat.
Are fleas harmful?
Some cats become extremely sensitive to flea bites and develop
itchy, irritable skin. Fleas can transmit tapeworms to your
cat which can cause gut upsets and weight loss. Very heavy flea
burdens result in an anaemia which can be fatal in very young
or debilitated cats.
Will fleas affect other animals or people?
Dogs are commonly infested by the cat flea. Although the cat
flea prefers to chew on an animal, it's not averse to biting
exposed human flesh. Some people appear to be very attractive
to fleas and the appearance of red itchy spots around their
ankles and legs is often the first indication of fleas in the
house.
How do I know if my cat has fleas?
Fleas have very streamlined bodies and can run very quickly
through fur. A search for flea droppings in the coat tends to
be more rewarding than trying to find the fleas themselves.
Droppings look like little black specks near the base of the
hair. Suspicions can be confirmed by placing these specks on
a piece of damp cotton wool; flea droppings dissolve to a reddish-
brown colour.
Do fleas spend their whole lives on cats?
Unfortunately not! Fleas only use the cat as a fuel stop. Adult
fleas feed on the cat's blood and lay eggs in the coat. The
eggs fall off into the surrounding environment and after a variable
period (usually a few weeks in the summer) they hatch into larvae
or grubs. The grub then encases itself in a cocoon where it
goes through further stages of development before it emerges
as a newly-hatched and hungry young flea! If fleas breed in
your house, you will only find 5% of the total population on
the cat. The other 95% are taking advantage of your hospitality
and are living it up in carpets, bedding and furnishings!
How do I get rid of fleas?
A number of different preparations are available, some more
effective than others. Powders and collars have been traditional
treatments for years but they have their limitations. Powders
can be difficult to apply and cats have to be dusted regularly
to keep on top of the problem. Flea collars are only suitable
if your cat is troubled by the occasional flea. Many cats have
a sensitivity to the chemicals in flea collars and develop a
rash or bald patch around their neck. Sprays tend to have stronger
chemicals but the slightest whoosh of an aerosol can cause fur
and claws to fly in all directions!
 Spot-on
preparations (Frontline, Advantage and Stronghold) are becoming
extremely popular. The contents of a dropper are applied directly
to the skin once a month. The chemical works its way through
the coat, covering the cat within 24 hours, and provides a highly
effective flea treatment. The new spot-on preparations have
an added bonus in that they will also help to treat the environment.
If owners want to speed up this process or be extra vigilant
about environmental flea control they can use a household spray
or a powder. There are limitations if there are any hidden pockets
of fleas which are difficult to reach with the preparations.
The latest way of controlling the environment is to give the
cat a product called Program. This is available as a dropper
which is mixed in which the food on a monthly basis or as an
injection every six months. Fleas are exposed to the chemical
when they feed off the cat and although it doesn't directly
kill them, it prevents any eggs they produce from hatching.
In August 2001 a new environmental control product was launched.
Fleegard is applied to the skin in exactly the same way as the
spot on preparations but acts on fleas in the environment in
a similar way to Program.
April 2004: The new Frontline Combo is the UK’s first 2-in-1
spot on formulation which provides 2 elements of integrated
pest management in the one product. Fipronil provides rapid
knockdown of the adult flea. Methoprene acts as a "contraceptive"
for the flea, inhibiting reproduction if the flea manages to
lay eggs. The product can be used on kittens from 8 weeks of
age onwards and is safe to use on pregnant and nursing cats.
Several of the mentioned products are prescription only medicines
(POM-V's) and are available from your own veterinary surgeon.
Although the products are given this category, they are extremely
safe for use on your pet but equally importantly they are extremely
effective against fleas. By law, over-the-counter (OTC) flea
treatments such as those bought in pet shops don't contain compounds
which are as effective.
At The Cat Clinic we would always advise you to approach your
veterinary surgeon for anti-flea preparations. The products
may seem more expensive but they are usually much more cost
effective in the long run.
How safe are flea products?
Until recently, effective cat flea preparations were usually
based on organophosphorus (OP) chemicals. There is growing concern
about the use of these substances in our environment. Cats as
a species are also very sensitive to the side-effects of OP's
- there's always been a fine dividing line between using enough
OP to kill off the fleas without harming the cat. The first
spot-on preparations were based on OP's but there was a manufacturing
problem which caused toxicity in a number of cats. The new generation
of flea treatments are proving to be so safe that they can even
be used on pregnant and nursing queens. The Frontline chemical
in its spray formulation can be used on 2 day old kittens. The
effective preparations are only available from veterinary practices.
Registered clients can buy these over the counter at The Veterinary
Cat Clinic.
Fleas seem to be more prevalent as the years go on. There are
rumours of the emergence of a superflea which is becoming resistant
to certain chemicals but a more likely explanation is that more
of us have centrally heated houses and we're keeping ourselves
warmer than we used to, so more fleas are surviving the winter
months. Treating fleas has to be viewed as a battle, but with
the modern treatments, the good news is that we appear to be
winning.
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