Significance

• Fleas are parasitic organisms that cause great discomfort to puppies. Puppies should be on a regular flea prevention regimen from the age of 7 weeks.
  
  

Types

• Flea control can be administered orally or topically. There are prescription and non-prescription solutions containing a variety of different chemicals including, but not limited to, fipronil, S-methoprene and pyrethrins.
  
  

Effects

• Flea medicines are pesticides that eradicate adult fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs or some combination of the above. As such, overuse may cause unpleasant and potentially harmful side effects.
  
  

Benefits

• Flea medicine reduces the itching and irritation associated with fleas. Eliminating fleas can stop the spread of other parasites associated with these organisms, the most notable of which is tapeworms.
  
  

Time Frame

• Depending on the type of medicine and its mode of delivery, flea medicines may begin working in as little time as a few minutes to as long as 24 hours.