Fleas are known to transmit tapeworms as well as bacterial and viral pathogens to both dogs and humans.

For more details please see the chapter Flea-Borne Diseases at www.cvbd.org.

Transmission of pathogens to dogs

• Dog tapeworm infection
  The dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) is transmitted by fleas. Prevention of flea infestation therefore means prevention of tapeworm infection. Flea control using advantix^® and tapeworm therapy with Droncit^® or Drontal^® Plus gives the maximum of possible protection.
• Bartonellosis
  Canine bartonellosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Bartonella spp.
  For more details please see the chapter Canine bartonellosis at www.cvbd.org.

Transmission of pathogens to humans

Dog tapeworm and Bartonella bacteria also pose a health threat to humans. The bacterium Bartonella henselae causes the human disease “cat scratch fever”, which is an important zoonotic infection.The readiness of fleas to parasite humans as alternative hosts gives fleas of domestic animals a high relevance in public health. The ability of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis and the dog flea C. canis to feed on different hosts like man, dogs and cats has been recorded in several surveys.

Anemia

Blood-sucking fleas can also cause an unbalance in the circulatory system, leading to anemia. Iron deficiency anemia in heavy infestations can be particularly caused in young animals.

Flea control

With Imidacloprid, Bayer provides a state-of-the-art flea control, which effectively and selectively kills fleas. Moreover, its rapid action stops flea feeding within minutes, thereby preventing the transmission of pathogens from flea to dog.

For more details please see the chapter Flea Control.