We rush to the pharmacy to buy medicines for a sick family member. It is certainly because we want him to be well soon. The same goes for flea-stricken dog.
Flea infestation is quite common all over the world but it’s quite worse than the common colds. These parasites mercilessly suck the blood of our dogs, causing anemia, dehydration, flea-bite dermatitis, and tapeworm (if ingested), and transmitting diseases like the deadly typhus.
Dogs show their discomfort by scratching and biting their fur and rolling all over. Flea larvae are so itchy they make dogs scratch until their skins bleed, and the wounds can develop into abscesses.
We keep our dogs clean, we bathe them, we shampoo their fur, we comb their hair, we cuddle them, and we even let them sleep with us. Dogs give us pleasure, but when the fleas come in to the picture – that’s just so distressing.
Fleas only thrive in their hosts’ fur but they would bite humans too. They are disgusting and dangerous, so they must be stopped before things get worse. The most convenient fix would be the flea tablets.
Flea tablets contain flea-killing ingredients and are given to dogs orally. Some are chewable and food-flavored so dogs can take it without any fuss. These tablets keep pooches highly protected from the adult fleas and the developing larvae. Some tablets work by killing flea larvae, while others make adult fleas unable to reproduce.
Flea drugs have been proven effective on flea-infested pets. These contain strong ingredients that are known to be good insect killers.
Program, for example, has Lufenuron, an insect development inhibitor which interfere with the transport process involved in polymerization of chitin (the principal component of the flea egg case and cuticle that forms the exoskeleton of larval stages and adult fleas).
Capstar, on the other hand, has Nitenpyram, which binds and inhibit insect specific nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and interferes with its normal nerve transmission.
Comfortis has Spinosad, which targets the fleas’ nervous system. Spinosad is absorbed by the bloodstream, so when the fleas bite and start sucking, the ingested substance then poisons the greedy fleas. In a few minutes or after an hour, you will see adult fleas literally falling off from your pets’ fur dead. You can even do a body count.
Flea tablets are also designed to protect dogs not just from fleas, but also from other diseases these might bring (depending on the level of infestation), especially heartworm diseases, and control the presence of other worms such as roundworms, whipworms, hookworms and tapeworms.
They’re hassle-free medication since they can be mixed with the dog’s chow. As said earlier, some are even food-flavored. So you don’t have to worry about chasing your pets and forcing them to take their bitter medicine.
Flea tablets won’t stain your carpet, bedding or upholstery, unlike sprays and other topicals. They won’t leave chemical residues, unlike foggers. They won’t get you wet, unlike dips and shampoos. And they won’t eat up your precious time, unlike flea combs. But make no mistake: flea tablets should be used together with other flea-control products to achieve maximum effect.
Medication can be given once a month, depending on the dosage and length of efficacy. So it doesn’t just save your dog, it also saves the household budget.
However, make sure that your veterinarian is aware of this medication. Most of these tablets are non-prescription items. It would be better if you consult your veterinarian to avoid overdosing and other side effects. Faulty medication poses a serious threat to your pet’s health.
Your veterinarian knows what’s best for your pets, so it pays to visit him regularly. Always remember that flea medicines are beneficial to pets, but if they are not taken properly with the veterinarian’s supervision, they can also be fatal.