What Is The Best Drug(s) For Killing Fleas Among Pets In Uganda?

The best medicine for killing fleas on dogs and cats

Fleas are small, reddish brown, blood-sucking laterally flattened ectoparasites that infest domestic animals.
They are wingless and fast-moving insects. Therefore, they are difficult to spot and catch from the body of an animal.

The life cycle of fleas.

With a sufficient blood supply from your pet, a female flea can lay approximately 40 eggs per day on the skin and in the fur of the pet. As pets move, the laid eggs drop in different areas, e.g., grass, sofas, carpets, bedding, and dusty places.
Under favorable environmental conditions, the laid eggs can hatch within 2–3 days into larvae.

Larva stage: the larvae are legless and opaque; if exposed to warm and humid conditions within 5–20 days, the larvae develop into adult fleas after the pupae stage.

However, if the conditions are not favorable, the pupae can stay dormant for approximately 6 months when exposed to warm and humid conditions.

List of domestic animals affected by fleas

Dogs
Cats
Rabbits
Goats
Chickens
Turkeys
Sheep
Guinea pigs
Piglets
Parrots
Ducks
Pigeons
Mice e.t.c

How do I know if my dog or cat has fleas? (signs of flea infestation in dogs and cats)

Continuous scratching or biting of the skin by the pet.

Loss of hair

Red spots on the skin

Rubbing against objects

Fleas are macroscopic; they can be seen moving on the pet’s body.

Presence of flea poop (feces). They are black, solid particles noticed at the base of the hair. When dissolved in a small amount of water on a white background, they turn red.

Skin scabs and dandruff

Effects of fleas on dogs and cats

Anemia

Loss of body condition

Cause dermatitis and hair loss.

Discomfort

Unthriftiness

Transmit tapeworms to pets.

Treatment of fleas in dogs and cats.

Several drug forms are made to kill and prevent fleas, e.g., sprays, tablets, shampoos, and injections.

First, consult your veterinarian on the best drug form suitable for your pet. There are many factors vets base on to select the best drug form for your dog: these include the size of the animal, the type of animal, the number of fleas, the price of the drug, the number of dogs affected, environmental conditions, etc.

What are the commonly used drugs and management practices by vet doctors to kill or control fleas in dogs?

Anti-flea chewable tablets are given depending on the size of the pet. e.g., 5kg, 7–12 kg, 20kg, etc. The tablet is repeated after1-3 months.

Anti-flea pours on. The pour-on is put on the skin on body parts where a pet can’t lick, e.g., on the upper part of the head and neck. It spreads all over the body of the pet and protects for approximately 1–2 months, depending on the brand used.

Wash the pet with medicated shampoo. It’s done every 1-2 weeks until all fleas are eradicated.

Spraying the pet with anti-flea aerosols. Spray the pet until he or she is wet (do not allow the pet to lick himself or herself). Repeat after 1-2 weeks until all fleas are cleared.

Wash the pet bedding using medicated or hot water.

Application of anti-flea powder. The powder is put directly on the skin of the pet (not on the hair, and he or she should not lick himself or herself). Continuously repeat the same procedure every 1-2 weeks until all the fleas are killed.

Fleas are difficult to fully eradicate in dusty areas. Cement the dusty areas or regularly sprinkle paraffin in the dust to suffocate the laid eggs.

NB: Fleas are commonly confused with other ectoparasites. Please contact a nearby veterinarian or veterinary clinic for proper identification before any medications are taken.