Product Review: Capstar Flea Medication

Fleas can cause a host of problems for pets. In extreme cases, fleas can even lead to anemia from excessive blood loss over time. Other pets are allergic to flea saliva and develop dermatitis, which results in random hair loss, scabs and hot spots. Capstar flea medication for cats and dogs kills adult fleas and prevents them from harming household pets. Read on for some general information about why fleas are so insidious, and an overview of how Capstar flea medication can help.

Facts About Fleas

Pets in the southern and western states are susceptible to fleas year-round. In the northern part of the country, these pests thrive mostly from April to November, but continuous prevention is still the best idea. Even if you think your dog or cat is flea-free, the parasite has developed an unsettling number of adaptations to make sure pets don’t stay that way for long. Fleas can hop nearly 10,000 times when searching for a host before they have to settle, and their narrow bodies move easily and nearly invisibly through pet fur. A flea life cycle ranges from 16 days to 21 months, and flea eggs can hatch long after an initial batch of fleas has been eradicated.

The Benefits of Capstar for Cats and Dogs

While topical products have their benefits, they can also drip or wash off as the pet runs and plays. Capstar is an oral tablet and starts working within 30 minutes. It contains nitenpyram, a chemical that disrupts the adult fleas' neurotransmitters and kills them. While Capstar works quickly to kill adult fleas, it is only a short-duration product and does not prevent fleas from reinfesting the pet. However, it is safe to give the pet another dose at least once per day if necessary.

Capstar is made for cats and dogs between two and 25 pounds and adult dogs over 25 pounds. It's also safe for puppies and kittens that are at least four weeks of age and older. This medication has an impressive safety profile, which means it’s okay to administer it to pregnant and nursing dogs and cats. It's also safe to use Capstar with other products, such as antibiotics, heartworm preventatives, vaccines, and de-worming medications.

Using Capstar as Part of a Total Flea Management Program

Because Capstar only targets adult fleas, it is one part of a total flea management program. To prevent immature flea development, use an insect growth regulator, such as lufenuron, on all pets in the home. The growth regulator will help deter flea reinfestation, and Capstar will kill any remaining adult fleas on the pets. Novartis, the maker of Capstar, recommends using this combination as an effective treatment program for eradicating immature and mature fleas on both cats and dogs.

Ask the experts at Medi-Vet about Capstar and other ways to keep pets happy, healthy, and flea-free!