Prior to the mid-1990’s the only products available for flea control were products which contained pyrethrins and permethrins. While these products are still widely available over the counter, they carry with them many concerns.
Permethrins are not safe to use on cats and can quickly cause death if used inappropriately. In dogs, their side effects can include hair loss and even severe skin damage, as well as central nervous system toxicity (including death). In addition, these products can be ineffective because they don’t remain on our pets very long, they wash off easily, they degrade when exposed to sunlight, and because, after decades of use, many flea populations have become resistant to their effects. In fact, the EPA successfully sought the removal of some flea & tick drops after many complaints of these problems in cats and kittens. If you do choose to use a product purchased over the counter, read and follow the label instructions on these treatments very carefully.
More recently many new products have been developed which are much safer and effective. These are products which have been scientifically engineered to target fleas and not humans or our pets. Most of these products are "spot-on” products which are liquids that come in a small vial and are applied once monthly to the skin in front of the shoulder blades. There is one product available (Comfortis) which is oral, rather than “spot-on”. There is also an oral heartworm preventive (Sentinel) which contains an insect growth regulator to prevent the reproduction of fleas.
Flea control products available at our hospital
- Advantage (imidacloprid) – this is a “spot-on” topical product used once monthly in either dogs or cats to kill fleas. It is safe for use on puppies over 7 weeks and kittens over 8 weeks.
- Frontline Plus (fiponil with methoprene) – this is a “spot-on” used once monthly in either dogs or cats. It kills fleas as well as sterilizing them to prevent reproduction of fleas in the environment. It also kills ticks. It is safe in puppies or kittens over 8 weeks old.
- Revolution (selamectin) – this is a “spot-on” product used once monthly in either cats or dogs. Revolution kills fleas and ticks and prevents flea eggs from hatching. Revolution is also used for heartworm prevention (and for this reason, it is a prescription only drug, requiring a doctor’s approval and a current heartworm test to dispense). Revolution is also labeled to kill ear mites, hookworms, and roundworms. Revolution is safe in puppies over 6 weeks old and kittens over 8 weeks old.
- Comfortis (spinosad) – this is a beef-flavored chew-treat used once monthly for killing fleas. It is used in dogs only.
- Trifexis (spinosad + milbemycin oxime) – this is a beef-flavored chew-treat used once monthly in dogs only. In addition to protecting against fleas, Trifexis protects your dog from heartworm disease and three intestinal parasites (roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm). Because Trifexis is used for heartworm prevention, it is a prescription only drug, requiring a doctor's approval and a current heartworm test to dispense. Trifexis is safe in puppies over 8 weeks old.
- Sentinel – this is a once monthly chewable heartworm preventative which does not kill fleas but does contain Lufenuron, an insect-growth regulator which prevents the reproduction of fleas in the environment.