What's crawling on your pet?
Pets bring us joy and companionship, but they can also bring us fleas and ticks. Pet owners need to be prepared to deal with these creepy crawlers, especially if your animal goes outside frequently. Fleas and ticks are not only annoying, they are also dangerous. They can spread diseases and cause skin allergies which can affect you as well as your pet. It would be better for everyone if pets were kept free of fleas and ticks.
The first thing pet owners need to do is watch their pets closely for the warning signs. A definite sign that your pet may have fleas is excessive scratching. If you have a dog with fleas, you may notice him biting at his back legs or rear end. With cats, you may observe constant licking and grooming. Of course, there are other reasons why your pet may be scratching or licking too much. That’s why you will need to check your pet for evidence of fleas.
The easiest way to check your pet for fleas is to separate the fur and search for flea dirt. It’s more difficult to see actual fleas because they can jump quickly out of sight. Flea dirt or flea droppings are easier to spot. Look for small black or brown specks on your pet’s skin. Another option is to brush your pet on top of a white towel or sheet and then check for fleas or their droppings against the white background. Even if you only see one flea, an infestation may be well underway.
If your pet has fleas, then you will need to treat the animal as well as the environment. Talk with your veterinarian about possible treatments for your pet. There are countless flea and tick treatments available at Allivet.com including topical Frontline, Frontline Plus, Advantage, K9 Advantix. In liquid form, there are Frontline Spray, Ovitrol, Mycodex, Pet Guard and Pyrethirn Dip. Oral medications include Capstar, Program, and Sentinel.
Make sure when using any flea medication that you check the weight and age requirements carefully. Also, be certain that the medication is approved for the use on your animal. For example, cats should only be treated with products specifically made for cats. Wash all of the bedding and pillows which your pet uses. Also, you will need to vacuum the house thoroughly. Always throw away the used vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag in order to prevent re-infestation. You may need to treat your house and your yard with a flea-killing spray or fogger. Be sure to follow the directions on any pesticide very carefully. You wouldn’t want to use a product in a way that could be harmful to you or your pet.
Pet owner also need to examine their pets for ticks. If your pet spends a lot of time outside, especially in wooded or grassy areas, then you will need to check them for ticks. Ticks are mite-like creatures that attach themselves to your pet. They can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease. You may want to vaccinate your pet against Lyme disease if you live in a tick-infested area. Also, it might be a good idea to use a preventative treatment that kills both fleas and ticks. Some pet owners prefer to use tick collars such as Preventic Tick Collar for Dogs, and Breakaway Flea and Tick Collar for Cats.
If you find a tick on your pet, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. To remove a tick, you will need a pair of tweezers. Using the tweezers, grasp the tick’s body as close to your pet’s skin as possible. Then, gently pull the tick out. Make sure that none of the tick’s body is left inside your pet and wash the bitten area thoroughly after removal.
The best way to fight fleas and ticks is through the use of preventative treatment. These products are excellent at stopping fleas and ticks from driving your pet crazy. Check your pet frequently for fleas and ticks and watch out for excessive scratching, biting or licking of the skin. Always ask your veterinarian about ways you can keep your pet and house free of these annoying pests. If you would like more reading material about the flea life cycle, click here
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