Products
Flea and Tick Prevention
There are a few new flea and tick products on the market that we are now selling at
Kirby Animal Hospital: TrifexisTM, VectraTM and ComfortisTM.
Trifexis TM
TrifexisTM is the new heartworm and flea oral medication that is available. It kills fleas and prevents flea infestations for a full month, prevents heartworm disease when used monthly, and also kills adult hookworms, adult roundworms and adult whipworms. It starts killing fleas within 30 minutes of administration and kills 100% of fleas after 4 hours. The fleas are killed before they can lay any eggs. It is a chewable treat and should be very easy to give to your dog.
It is safe to use in dogs that are 8 weeks and older and 5 pounds and greater.
Comfortis TM
ComfortisTM is a monthly oral flea medication for dogs. It can be used in puppies and dogs that are 14 weeks and older. It starts killing fleas in 30 minutes and kills the fleas before they can start laying eggs!
Vectra 3DTM and Vectra for CatsTM
Vectra 3DTM is topical and will kill 96% of the fleas on your pet in 6 hours. It also prevents the development of fleas, flea eggs, larvae and pupae.
A pet can have 100 or more adult fleas on it at any one time. Each female flea can produce 20-50 eggs per day. Flea eggs fall from the pet to the environment where they continuously develop (larvae and cocoons) over 2 to 4 weeks. 25 fleas on your pet can mean 500 or more immature fleas (eggs, larvae, cocoons) in the environment (pet bedding, carpet, rugs, etc).
Outdoors, most immature flea stages will be found where the pet rests during the heat of the day. Target these areas if you are using flea control products in the environment. Immature fleas do not survive well in open areas exposed to extended periods of direct sunlight.
Vectra 3DTM will kill adult fleas quickly; however, immature stages may continue to develop in the environment and new fleas may continuously show up on your pet for 2-4 weeks after treatment. The new fleas are being exposed to Vectra 3DTM and will die quickly, but remember: replacement fleas could be on the way to your pet. We recommend treating the environment to help reduce the immature flea population and speed up your flea control efforts.
Many people want to bathe the pet when they see new fleas. High-detergent shampoos will strip off the Vectra 3DTM, leaving the pet unprotected and allowing fleas to begin rapid reproduction. If you feel bathing is necessary, we can recommend a low-detergent or non-soap shampoo that will not diminish your flea control efforts. Dogs that swim or are immersed in water on a daily basis may also have reduced flea control results. It may help to restrict the dog's swimming activity until the flea population has been reduced. Occasional swimming should not affect results.
Pets that are not treated with Vectra 3DTM will be a continual source of fleas in your area. All dogs and cats on your premises (indoors and outdoors) should be treated to get the best results.
Vectra 3DTM and Vectra for CatsTM comes with a Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. For questions or concerns regarding Vectra please call Summit VetPharm Product Support Team at 800-999-0297.
