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Fleas and ticks are common pests that can cause significant health issues for pets and their owners. Understanding how to protect your pet from these parasites is important for their well-being - and everyone’s comfort.
Need to start or renew your flea and tick prevention? Send a message through PetDesk or give us a call today!
In this blog, we'll discuss what fleas and ticks are, how they can affect your pets, and steps you can take to prevent infestations.
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What are Fleas and Ticks?
Fleas are small, wingless insects that live by consuming the blood of their hosts, typically animals like dogs and cats. They are excellent jumpers and can easily move from one host to another. Flea bites can cause severe itching and discomfort. In some cases, pets may develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva, leading to flea allergy dermatitis.
Ticks are arachnids, related to spiders and mites. They attach themselves to the skin of animals (and sometimes humans) to feed on blood. Ticks are more than just a nuisance: they can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis.
How Fleas and Ticks Affect Pets
Fleas and ticks can cause various health problems in pets, including:
Skin Irritation: Both fleas and ticks can cause itching, redness, and swelling.
Anemia: Severe flea infestations can lead to blood loss and anemia, especially in young or small pets.
Infections: Flea bites can become infected if pets scratch excessively. Ticks can cause localized infections at the site of attachment.
Disease Transmission: Ticks can transmit diseases to pets and humans. For example, Lyme disease, which is spread by the deer tick, can cause fever, lameness, and swollen joints in pets.
Lyme Disease and Ticks
While the possibility of ticks transmitting Lyme Disease can sound scary, it’s important to be informed about how this occurs - and how it doesn’t.
Lyme disease does not occur immediately after a tick bite. The tick must be attached to its host for at least 24-48 hours to transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
This means that regular checks and prompt removal of ticks can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Preventing Flea and Tick Infestations
Preventing flea and tick infestations involves a combination of environmental control, regular grooming, and the use of preventive treatments. Here are some steps you can take:
Use Preventive Medications: The best medications are prescription medications: these have been tested and proven safe for your pets. Cats are especially sensitive to parasiticides so be especially careful when choosing medications for them and dogs on parasiticides coming in contact with them.
Regular Grooming: Frequently grooming your pet allows you to check for fleas and ticks. Use a fine-toothed flea comb to remove fleas, and inspect your pet’s skin for any attached ticks. Also remember cats are very fastidious creatures. If your cat is itchy and you cannot find fleas, it may only mean he groomed off every adult on his body. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s a good idea to check in with your vet for their recommendation.
Check for Ticks After Outdoor Activities: After your pet has been outside, especially in wooded or grassy areas, thoroughly check them for ticks. Pay close attention to areas like the ears, neck, and between the toes.
Treat Your Home and Yard: Vacuum your home regularly and wash your pet’s bedding to remove any potential flea eggs and larvae. Maintain your yard by mowing the grass and removing leaf litter and brush where ticks can hide. If you know fleas and ticks are bad in your area, or if you have seen them around, inquire with a local pest control company, who can treat your home and lawn.
Treat All Pets in Your Home: If one pet has fleas, it's likely that all pets in the household are at risk. Treating all pets helps prevent the spread of fleas and ensures effective control.
Consult Your Veterinarian: Your vet can provide recommendations tailored to your pet’s specific needs and the prevalence of fleas and ticks in your area. They can also advise on the best preventive measures and treatments. This helps ensure that you’re treating your pets safely and effectively.
Safe Tick Removal
Even with prevention, you may find a tick on your pet at some point. If you find a tick on your pet, it's essential to remove it safely and promptly. Here’s how you can do it:
Use Fine-Tipped Tweezers: Grasp the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible.
Pull Straight Out: Pull the tick out with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
Clean the Area: After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Dispose of the Tick: Place the tick in alcohol, a sealed bag, or flush it down the toilet. Per the CDC, never crush a tick with your fingers. This can cause potentially-harmful organisms to enter your skin through any minor abrasions leading to a risk of infection or tick-borne diseases.
Monitor for Signs of Infection: Watch for any signs of irritation or infection at the site of the bite. If you notice any unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
The Importance of Year-Round Prevention
While we usually think of fleas and ticks as “warm weather” pests, that’s not actually the case.
Fleas and ticks can be a problem year-round, even in colder climates.
They can survive in protected areas and indoors, making it essential to maintain preventive measures throughout the year. Consistent use of flea and tick preventives is key to protecting your pet from these harmful pests.
Minimizing Flea and Tick Risks
Flea and tick awareness and prevention are important parts of your pet's health, comfort, and wellbeing. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, you can keep your pets safe from these parasites.
Regular grooming, environmental control, and preventive medications are effective strategies in the fight against fleas and ticks. Always consult with your veterinarian for the best advice and treatments tailored to your pet
Need to renew or begin flea and tick medications? Give us a call or send us a message through PetDesk!
Flea Products We Commonly Recommend
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