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Overview
Fleas can be dangerous for puppies if left uncontrolled. Luckily, there are a few flea products deemed safe to use on puppies as young as 4 weeks old. Most flea products, however, specify puppies be 6 weeks or 8 weeks old. If your puppy is younger than 4 weeks, you won't be able to safely use flea products on her. But there are still steps you can take to eliminate most of the fleas.
Features
A few flea control medicines can be used on puppies as young as 4 weeks old. For younger puppies, the safest way to get rid of fleas is to gently wash the puppies with a mild dog shampoo and use a flea comb to pick off adult fleas. Wash the puppies' bedding thoroughly to get rid of fleas, eggs and larvae remaining in the whelping area.
Types
Flea medicines safe for puppies at least 4 weeks old and weighing 2 lbs. or more include Capstar, an oral medicine that kills adult fleas only; and Sentinel and Program, also oral medicines. Sentinel interrupts the fleas' life cycles, preventing them from multiplying. It also kills some intestinal worms and prevents heartworm. Capstar is non-prescription. Sentinel and Program require a prescription.
Revolution, also available as a prescription only, can be used on puppies as young as 6 weeks. This product kills fleas in all life stages, kills mites (ear mites and mange mites) and prevents heartworm.
For puppies over 8 weeks old, you can use Advantage or Frontline Plus.
Time Frame
Capstar begins working in under an hour. Advantage is supposed to kill nearly all fleas on pets within 12 hours. Frontline Plus and Revolution take several hours longer.
Because Sentinel and Program work a little differently by keeping fleas from reproducing, it may take longer for a household to be flea free (as long as there are flea eggs hatching in the house environment, your puppy will have fleas biting). These can be used in conjunction with adult flea killers, however.
Warning
Even when using flea products recommended for young puppies, watch them for adverse reactions. Seizures, trembling, drooling, vomiting or lethargy are all signs that you should take the puppy to your vet as soon as possible.
Considerations
Severe flea infestations can cause anemia in puppies. If fleas are numerous, consider killing all adult fleas first (because they bite and draw blood from your puppy). Puppies with fleas may also contract tapeworm, as fleas are the primary transmission of tapeworm to pets. Your veterinarian can check your puppy for these parasites.
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