Fleas and ticks are serious threats to dog, cat and human health. Fleas are bloodsucking parasites that spread tapeworms, produce skin irritation in dogs, cats and humans and can cause anaemia in vulnerable animals. Ticks spread dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and other serious illnesses, when they feed on pets and humans. To protect your pet and your family, you should use preventatives on your pets and treat any problems immediately.
Detecting Flea and Tick Problems
Fleas
Because cats and dogs are effective groomers, you may never see a flea on a pet infested with the parasites. Some signs that your pet may have fleas even if you can’t see them include the following:
- Scabs or bumps on the skin, especially around the neck and at the base of the tail
- Patches of hair loss
- Increased grooming
- The dog or cat suddenly jumping and biting at its body
- Scratching
- Black grainy material in the fur or on the skin
Ticks
If you live in an area where ticks are prevalent or take your pet into the woods, you should inspect the animal for ticks regularly. To do this, put on rubber gloves to protect yourself and go over the whole pet. Look for black spots, and feel for small bumps. Ticks can attach anywhere, but the most common locations are the neck, ears and inner thighs. These pests can be as small as poppy seeds or as large as lima beans depending on their species, age, sex and engorgement status.
Prevention
Fleas
All cats and dogs, including primarily indoor pets, should be on a monthly topical or oral flea preventative such as Revolution, Advantage or another veterinarian-recommended product. Veterinary sold products are more effective and safer for your pet. Both prescription and over-the-counter products exist, but before selecting a medication, you should discuss flea control with your veterinarian to make sure you choose a product that is safe for your pet and effective against local flea populations.
Ticks
Some topical products used for flea control also prevent ticks. Check the packaging of your pet’s flea product to determine whether or not it is effective against ticks. If it does not prevent ticks and you live in an area with a tick problem, talk to your veterinarian about adding an additional tick-control product or switching to a flea preventative that also prevents ticks.
Treatment
Fleas
If your pet has fleas, you need to treat the pests. Fortunately, most flea preventatives on the market also treat flea infestations. In addition to treating for fleas, you should consider worming any pet that has had fleas because these parasites carry tapeworm eggs.
Ticks
If you find a tick on your pet, you need to remove it quickly and safely. The longer the tick is attached, the more likely it is to transmit disease. To remove the tick, use tweezers to grasp the pest and pull straight up without squeezing it. If you squeeze an attached tick, you risk pushing infected fluid into your pet’s body.
After removing the tick, place the pest in a sealed plastic bag or other container for possible future identification. Clean the area around the bite wound, and check the pet’s skin. If any part of the tick remains in the skin, the wound becomes infected or your pet develops concerning symptoms, take the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Tell your veterinarian about the tick bite, and if possible, show the tick you removed from the pet to the veterinarian.
When you’re ready to schedule your service with Martindale Animal Clinic, call us or stop by our office at 100 Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines.
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