The best way to control a flea problem is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Luckily, in recent years, research and development into veterinary parasite control has the goal of eliminating fleas on our pets and preventing further infestations much easier to achieve.
Products available for use in dogs include insecticides and insect growth regulators, which come in in easy-to-use topical or oral forms, to not only eliminate existing fleas, but to also work long-term and prevent future infestations. These products work by either killing the fleas before they can reproduce or by preventing the flea eggs from developing into normal adult fleas.
Below is a list of safe and effective flea control products available to use in dogs. Most of the products listed below will also control TICKS as well. Tick prevention options are found on our TICK PREVENTION page
At Mona Vale Vet we stock and recommend for dogs:
SIMPARICA ORAL CHEW TABLETS:
Given ONCE A MONTH it controls both fleas and ticks!
An flavoured oral chew which starts killing fleas within 3 hours, and will start killing ticks within 8 hours, plus has a claim for controlling skin mites! It is great for those dogs who regularly swim and unlike top spot products that need to be applied at certain times after swimming and bathing, this can be used at any time!
It is safe to use on puppies from 8 weeks of age and from 1.3kg of body weight.
NEXGARD SPECTRA ORAL CHEW TABLETS:
Given ONCE A MONTH it controls both fleas and ticks, as well as heartworm, some intestinal worms and mites!
This flavoured oral chew will start killing fleas and ticks fast! It is a great product to use for those dogs who regularly swim and unlike top spot products that need to be applied at certain times after swimming and bathing, this can be used at any time!
It is safe to use on puppies from 8 weeks of age and from 2kg of body weight.
BRAVECTO ORAL CHEW TABLETS:
Given ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS to controls both fleas and ticks!
This flavoured oral chew will also kill fleas and ticks fast! Again, great for those dogs who regularly swim and safe to use on puppies from 8 weeks of age.
BRAVECTO TOPSPOT LIQUID:
Applied ONCE EVERY 6 MONTHS to controls both fleas and ticks!
This product is the longest lasting registered treatment for fleas and ticks.
Simply apply to the skin on the back of your dogs neck.
With Bravecto topspot being safe to use in puppies from 8 weeks of age, weighing at least 2kg, we do recommend using this product once your dog is at a stable body weight.
SERESTO COLLAR:
Seresto isn’t like any other flea or tick collars. The polymer matrix technology provides up to 8 months protection from fleas and 4 months control of ticks. It’s a convenient, water-resistant and odour-less way to kill ticks and fleas.
ALSO AVAILABLE, BUT NOT STOCKED AT MONA VALE VET:
NEXGARD CHEW TABLETS:
Given ONCE A MONTH it controls both fleas and ticks!
This flavoured oral chew will start killing fleas and ticks fast! It is a great product to use for those dogs who regularly swim and unlike top spot products that need to be applied at certain times after swimming and bathing, this can be used at any time!
It is safe to use on puppies from 8 weeks of age and from 2kg of body weight.
COMFORTIS TABLETS:
A once a month beef flavoured tablets which provides fast-acting and lasting relief against fleas. Starts working in 30 minutes killing the adult fleas and unlike some other flea treatments it can’t rub or wash off. Safe to use on puppies from 14 weeks of age.
FRONTLINE PLUS TOPSPOT:
A topical product applied to the back of the neck, used for the treatment and prevention of flea, control of flea allergy dermatitis and biting lice. It prevents the development of flea eggs, larvae and pupae produced by adult fleas. Safe to use on puppies and dogs from 8 weeks of age.
Frontline is applied once a fortnight for paralysis ticks and once a month for fleas.
FRONTLINE SPRAY:
Controls adult fleas when applied every 4 to 12 weeks; controls Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) when applied once a month, controls Paralysis ticks when applied every 3 weeks. Safe to use in puppies from as young as 2 days.
ADVANTIX TOPSPOT:
Also a topical product applied to the back of the neck, used for the treatment and prevention of flea, control of flea allergy dermatitis and as well as Lice, Mosquitoes, Sand flies, Stable (biting) flies. It prevents the development of flea eggs, larvae and pupae produced by adult fleas. Safe to use on puppies and dogs from 7 weeks of age. Advantix is used once a fortnight for paralysis ticks and once a month for other parasites.
****Please note ADVANTIX is only for use in DOGS and it toxic to cats. Please consider this if you use this product on your dog & also have cats in the household.
Facts about fleas
• Worldwide, there are about 3,000 different types of fleas, but the dog flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common to be found on dogs and dogs.
• Adult fleas can jump 600 times an hour. Each jump, in terms of the flea’s size, is the equivalent of a person clearing a 50-storey building.
• The record jump for a flea (usually 2-8 mm long) is 33 cm.
• In just 30 days, 25 adult female fleas can multiply to 250,000 fleas
