Although most pet owners worry more about ticks, fleas are not to be underestimated either. They are some of the most frequent skin parasites on dogs and not only cause skin problems such as itching; they can also transmit diseases such as the cucumber tapeworm and occasionally micro-organisms that are harmful to health such as bartonella, rickettsia or mycoplasms. With suitable measures and adequate flea prophylaxes, however, the summer can be spent free of fleas.

About the flea

Over the centuries, fleas have developed into veritable survival artists and have specialised in people and various species of animal. In Central Europe, there are an estimated 80 different species of flea which in most cases are highly specific to the host. The most important and most widespread among our pets and wild animals is the cat flea.

Fleas are small, dark brown insects (approx. 2-3 mm) without any wings but with hind legs adapted for jumping that make it possible for them to jump from animal to animal. However, a transmission can also take place indirectly. In other words, the flea is in the surrounding area and can thus jump over to a potential host.

A flea goes through a total of four major cycle phases, the duration of which can vary between 12 and 175 days. These are highly dependent on environmental influences. Ideal environmental influences are deemed to be temperatures of between 20-30°C and a relative air humidity of 70% – conditions that are normally reached during the second half of the summer.

How do you detect a flea infestation?

The signs of a flea infestation can be detected in various ways. The flea itself can stay unnoticed on the dog over a lengthy period of time, particularly when the dog has a long, thick coat. If the number of flea bites increases, the itching also becomes greater and the dog starts to nibble, lick and bite itself. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead to a weeping skin inflammation.

Fleas and their excrement can be easily detected with a flea comb. The excrement comprises small, dark brown scales that are also a sign of a flea infestation even without visible fleas. If you are unsure, the small scale can also be crushed on a wet paper towel. If the cloth turns rust-brown, this is a clear sign of a flea infestation.

Health risks:

The cucumber tapeworm develops in the intestine of the dog when the dog swallows an infected flea. The segments of the tapeworm resemble cucumber or pumpkin seeds and are discharged with the excrement. Sometimes they can remain sticking to the anus.

Flea bite allergies can equally occur in all species of dogs and in both genders. Only a small number of flea bites is needed to trigger such an allergy and these flea bites can trigger itching that can last for several days or weeks. Frequently, the number of fleas on the dog is so small that a flea bite allergy cannot be detected immediately. If there is a suspected flea bite allergy, an allergy test can be carried out to check. As a result of the allergic reaction and the self-trauma, the skin is often inflamed, swollen, scaly and frequently accompanied by loss of hair on the areas affected.

Protective measures

Fleas cannot be entirely avoided, but pet owners have a large number of products available to them that can help to avoid bringing fleas into the house or the apartment.

• All animals in the household have to be subjected to the same treatment; otherwise, there is the risk that the fleas withdraw to the untreated animal and multiply there.
• Use an anti-parasite collar (e.g. the OptiPet pest collar) or SPOT ON product (e.g. OptiPet SPOT ON) – depending on what is more pleasant for your pet. Alternatively, there are also preparations for ingestion, but these are chemical products and not easily tolerable for all animals.
• To protect the surrounding area, a spray can be used that protects against fleas, ticks, lice and mites, e.g.  OptiPet Spray INSECTICIDE.
• In addition to protecting against flea infestation in the surrounding area, frequent vacuum cleaning as well as regular bathing of your dog are recommended.

As fleas have a highly variable life cycle, it can take several months until a flea infestation is entirely eliminated. However, if you heed our advice, the risk of a flea infestation can be virtually entirely avoided.