Deflea

I had to deflea our cat with a flea comb, even though it wears a flea collar.

The DDT powder does not kill the rats; it merely defleas them and lessens the likelihood of the spread of typhus fever from rat to man.

A fine metal flea comb is an added aid in defleaing a cat, especially if you are the type who gains satisfaction from “cracking” fleas caught in the comb, or from trying to drown them in a glass of water!

She cares personally for her dogs, feeds them, defleas them, shouts crossly at them when they misbehave.

House, kennels, bedding, runs, all have to be defleaed, as well as the dogs. Note: If the dogs have to be wormed, it is wise to postpone any defleaing efforts for three weeks after worming.

I had my own dog, but I also caught every stray dog in the neighborhood, washed and defleaed it, and anointed it with cologne (causing a great rumpus when discovered by one of my sisters from whom the cheap scent had been appropriated).

I can get her defleaed. That wouldn't be a problem. I can pay for it now that I've got an after-school job. And Mom's a sucker for strays.

2009, Louis de Bernières, The Death of Miss Agatha Feakes, [originally published in 2009, Notwithstanding], Storycuts, 2011, unnumbered page, She sits in her armchair, and, one by one, she defleas her cats.