Fleas are small, wingless insects which bite and siphon blood from host animals such as horses and dogs. Fleas cause tremendous discomfort to their hosts and are difficult to control.
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Treatments
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For complete flea control, a pet owner must treat the animal and its environment. Monthly spot applications, shampoos, powders, flea collars, carpet aerosols and essential herbal oils are among possible treatments for pets.
Components
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The most complete flea medicines contain both insect growth regulators (IGR) and adulticides. IGR's kill the larvae or stop the maturation of the fleas, eliminating the flea's ability to reproduce, and adulticides kill adult fleas. Both are necessary to eliminate a flea problem.
Horses
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Flea specific medicines for horses are rare. Often combined with sprays for other insects (flies, gnats, mosquitoes), they are designed primarily to repel and sometimes to kill adult fleas.
Dogs
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Because fleas cause a bigger problem for dog owners than for horse owners, a wider variety of flea medicines are available for dogs. Many contain both IGR's and adulticides for more complete control.
Conclusion
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Some horse flea products can be used for dogs. However, flea medicines designed specifically for dogs are better suited to eliminate the flea problem.
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