Flea Control
Preventive medications and environmental management to eliminate fleas on pets and in the home. Fleas transmit tapeworms, Bartonella (cat scratch fever), and cause flea allergy dermatitis. Year-round prevention is recommended.
Key Facts
- Fleas transmit bartonella (cat scratch fever), tapeworms, and other parasites
- Flea allergy dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions in cats and dogs
- Products include topical spot-ons, oral medications, and collars
- Treat ALL pets in the household — not just affected ones
- Environmental treatment (home, yard) may be needed for heavy infestations
- Year-round prevention recommended in most climates
- Tick prevention often combined with flea prevention products
- Eliminating fleas from infected cats eliminates Bartonella transmission risk
- Flea dirt (flea feces) in claws is how cats transmit Bartonella to humans
Connections (17)
Related Conditions
— flea allergy must be ruled out first
— eliminating fleas eliminates transmission
— outdoor cats with fight wounds need flea prevention too
— isoxazoline products treat both fleas and mites
— flea allergy as cause
Preventing flea bites is the primary method to stop transmission of the mycoplasma organisms.
Prevention is the best treatment
— common underlying cause
— combined flea/parasite prevention products
— isoxazoline products provide prevention
— flea allergy as trigger
— differentiate from flea allergy dermatitis
— fleas are intermediate hosts for Dipylidium caninum
— combined flea/tick prevention products