Every summer it’s time for pet parents to wrestle with fleas and ticks. Nothing can annoy your pet more than these critters! Responsible pet owners know that their companion’s warm body and soft fur is a personal paradise for these insects. But once they move in – and begin feeding on your pet’s blood – they can cause a wide range of health problems, from skin infections to Lyme disease.
Hard facts about parasites:
- In just one day, a single flea can bite your dog more than 400 times.
- Blood consumption by fleas can produce iron deficiency anemia and even death in heavy infestations.
- Ticks spread Lyme Disease in Dogs, which dogs are 50 percent more likely to contract than humans.
- Heartworm infection occurs in all 50 states.
- More than 70 species of mosquitoes are capable of transmitting the disease.
- https://tripawds.com/2014/07/16/ticks-fleas-protection-tips/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwY-LBhD6ARIsACvT72MjKc1oUkzDV1jCT2DTLX6IgcV2YLYoF-0Kj45exH7ck_kiLa8zKk4aApfAEALw_wcB
Here are 10 tips for flea and tick prevention and treatement:
- Prevention is best managed with a veterinary-approved flea and tick products available on the market. Please talk to one of our vets about the best option for your Fluffy.
- Read the label. Never apply a medication for cats to dogs (or vise versa) unless the label says for cats and dogs.
- Regularly inspect your dogs and yourself for ticks after walks through the woods or grassy settings, even if they are taking a tick preventative. Look especially on the feet and between the toes, under the legs, on lips, on and inside ears and under the tail.
- The quicker you remove the tick, the less likely your dog will get a secondary illness related to tick bites.
- Keep grass in your yard mowed as short as possible.
- For fleas, look for them on areas of your dog where the coat is sparse or thin.
- If you own multiple dogs, treat them all at the same time. This will help prevent cross contamination.
- If flea infestation is extensive in your home, a fogger can be used. When using a flea and tick fogger, the room must be evacuated of all pets and people for 12-24 hrs.
- If infestation is bad enough or where fleas are on the ground, a professional exterminator might be needed.