How do drops from fleas work for dogs if fleas are already present? - briefly
If fleas are already present on a dog, drops designed to control or eliminate them typically contain active ingredients such as fipronil or imidacloprid. These ingredients work by attacking the flea's nervous system, causing paralysis and death, effectively breaking the flea life cycle.
How do drops from fleas work for dogs if fleas are already present? - in detail
When fleas are already present on a dog, topical treatments such as drops can be highly effective in controlling and eliminating these parasites. Here's how they typically work:
Firstly, it's essential to understand that flea drops are designed to target both adult fleas and their larvae. The active ingredients in these drops, often including insect growth regulators (IGRs) like methoprene or pyriproxyfen, and neurotoxins like fipronil or imidacloprid, work together to disrupt the flea life cycle.
When applied directly to the dog's skin, usually between the shoulder blades, the drops spread across the entire body within 24 hours through the dog's natural oils. This coverage ensures that any fleas present on the dog are exposed to the active ingredients.
For adult fleas, neurotoxins like fipronil or imidacloprid interfere with their nervous system, leading to paralysis and death within a few hours of contact. This rapid action helps in significantly reducing the flea population on the dog.
However, it's crucial to note that while adult fleas are vulnerable to the drops, flea eggs and larvae may be more resistant. This is where insect growth regulators (IGRs) come into play. IGRs prevent flea eggs from hatching and larvae from developing into adults. By breaking the life cycle at multiple stages, these ingredients help in preventing future infestations.
Moreover, some drops also contain repellents that discourage new fleas from jumping onto the dog, providing continuous protection against re-infestation for a certain period, usually 30 days or more depending on the product.
It's important to remember that while these drops are highly effective, they may not kill all fleas instantly. It can take up to a few weeks for the infestation to be completely eliminated, as new fleas may continue to hatch from eggs already laid on the dog or in its environment during this time.
Therefore, for optimal results, it's recommended to treat all pets in the household simultaneously and to also address the environment where the dog spends most of its time. This includes thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming areas where the pet sleeps or rests, washing bedding and toys, and using flea sprays or foggers in the home if necessary.
In conclusion, while flea drops are a powerful tool for controlling fleas on dogs, they work best when used as part of a comprehensive flea control strategy that also addresses the pet's environment.