If you see tapeworm segments in your dog's stool, he may have had fleas at one time or may still have them. The flea will act as an of the tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum. with the help of grooming or biting, the animal ingests an adult flea containing tapeworm eggs. Once released the tapeworm grows to maturity in the little intestine. The cycle will take less than a month, so a primary to tapeworm prevention is flea address. Anemia also will be a complication of flea infestation especially in young kittens.

The life cycle of the flea has four separate stages including the egg, larva, pupa and adult.

   The adult flea uses your dog as a place to take its blood meals and breed. Fleas either lay eggs directly on the pet where they can drop off, or deposit eggs into the immediate surroundings around your home. The fact is the female may lay many hundred eggs during the course of its life, the number of fleas present intensifies the concern. The eggs hatch into larvae that live in your furniture, carpeting, or cracks and corners of the dog's living area.
   The larvae survive by ingesting dried blood, and animal dander.  To complete the life cycle, larvae develop into pupa that hatch into adults. The immediate source of adult fleas within the house is the pupa, not the pet. The adult flea emerges from the pupa, then hops onto the host.

This flea growth occurs more quickly in a warm, humid environment. Pupa can be dormant for months, but under temperate conditions fleas go by way of their life cycle in about three weeks. The inside of your home can provide a warm environment to allow fleas to infect you and your dogs year round.

Fighting the Flea

 The categories of commercial products available for flea eliminate include flea collars, shampoos, sprays, powders and dips. along with other, newer, products which include oral and systemic spot treament insecticides.

In the past, topical insecticide sprays, powders and dips were the most popular. However, the effect was often temporary. Battling infestations requires battling areas where the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults all congregate. as a result of the fact that a gread deal of stages of a flea's life can persist for months, chemicals with residual action are needed and should be repeated periodically. Sprays or foggers, which required leaving the house for several hours, have been used twice in 2-week intervals and then every two months during the flea season.

Treating animals and their living areas thoroughly and at the same time is vital; otherwise certain fleas will live and re-infect your pet. You can even need to treat your yard or kennel with an insecticide, if the infestation is severe enough.