A veterinary nurse-led approach to flea control

Fleas are considered the most prevalent ectoparasite, with sources stating that 1:5 cats and 1:10 dogs have fleas at any given time (Elsheikha, 2017). According to The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, 82% of dogs and cats and 13% of rabbits in the UK were treated for fleas in 2017 (PDSA, 2017). Despite this, many owners are not aware of how pets can become infested with fleas.

Broadly speaking, there are two main situations in which a client will approach veterinary staff for advice on fleas:

Many clients may understand the need for preventative flea treatment, but not the necessity for regular prophylaxis in conjunction with environmental control methods. Those with an established infestation may have previously sought advice or treatment elsewhere which has been unsuccessful.

The role of the veterinary nurse (VN) is to educate clients on the life cycle of the flea and its associated control measures, its links with the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum (D. caninum) and how to treat an established infestation, while also managing the client's expectations.