Fleas. Where there's a spring, there's a spray!

Daffodils are cautiously peeping their heads above ground and trees are sprouting with new life. There is definitely a feeling of spring in the air.  But, as the weather starts to get milder, it may bring with it some unwelcome visitors with a spring in their step too!  Not that, in these days of central heating, the problem is seasonally confined.  These little characters can lie dormant for months and then jump to life at the turn of a thermostat!  Yes, we are talking about the eternal problem of fleas! 

Now please, don’t leave the site yet!  No dog is immune and London Dog Forum has been itching to tell you all about these little monsters!



There are many different species of flea but the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis is the most common species, thriving on dogs and cats, as well as taking the occasional snack from a human too!

The problem with fleas is that the greater part of their lifecycle is spent in the environment which includes carpets, bedding and soft furnishings.  Only the adults are parasitic and once the female has taken a blood meal from a cat or dog, she will lay her eggs and the whole vicious circle starts again.  Well, that’s it put in a nutshell! 

Let’s take the flea cycle into a bit more detail so you can understand the additional problems associated with these parasites.

The eggs may be laid on the ground, or the host but they will soon drop off.  Hatching can occur within 2 days or up to two weeks depending on the conditions.  The maggot-like larvae have bristles and mouthparts that enable them to chew on debris and the faeces of the adult fleas – delightful little creatures, aren’t they?  The larvae will moult twice and then spin themselves into a woolly cocoon. In warm temperatures this part of the cycle might be completed in two weeks but when it is cold, it can take up to two years!

The adult flea only remains on the host to feed and once they have had their fill, they hop off onto the ground or another host. 

The fact that fleas feed on blood means that their faeces are reddish brown in colour and that is very useful to us in the terms of making a diagnosis.  If you suspect that your dog has fleas, brush the coat making sure the debris from the fur drops onto a piece of wet tissue or kitchen towel.  If the damp material stains a reddish brown, it is a sure bet that your dog has fleas. 

Another problem with fleas, of which many people are unaware, is that the flea can act as the intermediate ( in between) host for Dypylidium caninum (the common tape worm).  The larvae of the flea, who seem to be quite happy chomping through anything that comes near their mouthparts, will occasionally swallow the egg of the tapeworm.  The tapeworm then develops concurrently with the flea until it arrives at the infective stage.  The flea will grab a quick bite to eat which causes irritation to the skin of the dog or cat and they will nibble at their fur.  Should the dog or cat ingest the flea, the tapeworm has achieved his objective and, ‘Hey Presto!’ Your dog or cat has tapeworm!  This is why it is so important to treat your dogs and cats against worms at the same time as treating it for fleas.

Fleas can be the cause of flea allergic dermatitis.  This is an absolutely miserable condition for a dog or cat causing tremendous discomfort and may be associated with alopecia, self trauma and infection. 

So hopefully now you will understand why it is not only imperative to treat your cats and dogs against fleas and worms but also to spray your home environment with a recommended household treatment.



INTERESTING FLEA FACTS



• In some species of flea the head is bordered with ctenidia or combs that are useful features used in identification.

• The flea circus is thought to date back as early as the 16th century

• The only species used as performing fleas was the human flea, Pulex irritans as they were considered to be the only species strong enough to perform – (it was doubtless cheaper to feed them too!!)

• A flea can jump about 200x its body height – roughly between 7 and 10 inches