Fleas

Fleas can be a problem in the best kept home or on the cleanest pet. Regular spraying or dusting with a product recommended by your vet will destroy any fleas living on your pet. Regular spraying of bedding and furniture combined with thorough vacuuming of furniture and floors (particularly around skirting boards) will destroy each stage of the flea's new life cycle.


The Life Cycle of a Flea
Adult fleas can live for seven to fourteen days, feeding and reproducing on your cat. Females lay many eggs a day, many of which fall off your cat. In two to five days the eggs hatch and tiny larvae hide in carpets, furniture and other dark places. The larvae develop into pupae, which can live for months unnoticed. Then when a suitable host arrives, for example your cat, an adult flea emerges from its cocoon and hops on to the host. The life cycle begins again.

Checking for fleas
If your cat continues to scratch then it most likely has fleas. Checking for fleas can be quite difficult as they are only 1-2 mm long. You can check for tiny black specks of flea dirt. Check using a flea comb (metal ones are the best) or by using a white paper towel. Place a white paper towel beneath your cat and rub its fur. Flea dirt may appear on the towel.

Fleas and your cat's health
-Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD): Cats can have a reaction to flea saliva in bits and develop FAD, which causes severe itching, scabs and bumps.
-Anemia: Occurs in young, old and ill pets and can be life-threatening.
-Tapeworm: Fleas can play intermediate hosts for tapeworms.
-Rickettsiosis: Infected cats can pass this to humans.

Treatment
Frontline is an excellent product for flea and tick control. It comes in spray and drop-ons and is available from your family veterinarian.

Although fleas are a problem throughout the year, peak time is 5/6 weeks after the weather starts to get hotter.