Dealing with a Flea Problem:

Ok, so we all know that we do not want fleas on our pets or in our house.  They spread disease, cause discomfort and are just plain yucky!

The good news is that there has been no development of resistance in fleas to any of the veterinary available products. To see which products we offer and compare, please click here . So if you are using a product (that you purchased from us) according to its label and you still see fleas, you NEED to read this page.

Here are some questions that we might ask you if you called us:

Are you seeing fleas about 2 weeks after you apply topical preventative? 

If the answer is YES, then you probably have an environmental problem.  Because your pet is treated the fleas are hatching out from the environment and then finding your pet as they mature.  Wildlife and neighboring pets are very often the source of the fleas that are laying their eggs in your pet's environment.  It takes the topical product about 18 hours to "catch up" with the new fleas as they emerge.  You can't treat your neighbors' pets and you certainly cannot treat all the wildlife, so you need to stop the eggs from hatching.  There are sprays and granules available at any home improvement center, just be sure that they contain an insect growth regulator.  One such product is called Bayer Advanced.  It is economical and treats a fairly large area when used as directed on the label.  We also have a premises spray  that is safe for use indoors to treat places where flea eggs might remain. So treat all your pets (even that stray cat that hangs out on your porch) and treat your environment to stop the life cycle. Oh and do NOT forget to treat your car if your pet rides in it!

Are you applying the topical product according to the label directions?

This means that you waited 2 days after bathing for the skin oils to build back up and act as a carrier for the product before you applied and that you waited 2 days after application before stripping the oils again.  You should apply the product directly onto the skin and not just the hair and apply the product every month without delay.

What else can you do?

-Vacuum every day. The vibration will cause any hidden eggs to hatch where you can eliminate them. There is no need to discard the vacuum bag.

-Do parasite control year-round. Experts think that flea infestations are a result of climate fluctuations and/or wildlife migration and year-round protection is important. Fleas can reproduce all year long.

-Treat all the pets in the environment. Ask your neighbors if their pets are treated.

-Review application technique and if you are unsure, come by and we can show you.

-If you have tried all of the above and still see fleas, you might try Comfortis. It is an oral monthly medication. It is available by prescription only and it does not cover ticks, but it might be an excellent alternative if you have a big problem.