Adult fleas jump on your pet when they sense a host is near.  A female flea can lay up to fifty eggs a day, 4,000 eggs in her life time.  Eggs fall off your pet and develop into worm-like larvae, which hide in carpeting, furniture, bedding and other dark places.  The larvae mature as they feed on fecal matter dropped by adult fleas and the cycle continues.

(Figure 1. Flea allergy dermatitis)

Fleas cause itching, irritation, extreme discomfort and sometimes lead to anemia, flea allergy dermatitis, Bartenellosis, and other diseases.  When ingested, fleas can spread tapeworm.  Symptoms of flea infections include itching, scratching and unusual amount of chewing and licking.

At Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital, we are committed to the health of your whole family.  Preventing flea problems is important for both you and your pet!  In order to be truly effective, a year round flea control program is necessary. There are many types and brands of flea prevention products available to pet owners, from unsafe over-the-counter products to a myriad of veterinary products.  With all of these choices, flea prevention has become a confusing issue. The doctors have carefully reviewed all of the products that are currently available and, having done so, recommend non-topical flea prevention products whenever possible.  Topical flea prevention products leave a pesticide residue, which is a concern especially in households with small children.

Sentinel®, Program®, and Capstar® are oral flea control products recommended by doctors at Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital.  Sentinel® or Program®, administered once a month, breaks the flea life cycle by preventing flea eggs and larvae from developing and is not a pesticide.  Capstar® is recommended for flea infestation and is effective for up to 7 hours.  Our recommendations for the use of these products are as follows: