A closer look at flea and tick care in Dogs and Cats
The season of bloom is here.. Time to enjoy some warm weather with our family pets. But that also means watching out for fleas and ticks around. . So what exactly are flea and tick? And how possible it is for our pets to get exposed to it? Can flea and ticks be it life threatening for our pets?Β What better than prevention to make things easy for our fur loves and how exactly can we do it? These could be some of the questions in mind , especially for new pet owners . Lets explore the answers together in detail.
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Flea and Tick- What is it ?
Β Β According to WebMd -Β
"The soft, warm fur of dogs and cats provides the perfect environment for fleas andΒ ticks. These insects feed on your petβs blood and can cause health problems ranging from allergic reactions to serious tick-borne illnesses. Both fleas and ticks are more common during the warmer months, but you can take steps to ward them off any time of year."
Signs of flea in Dogs
- Dark spots on the fur caused by flea droppings
- White spots on the fur caused by flea eggsΒ
- Excessive scrathcing and itching
- Hot spots on skins
Signs of flea in cats
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- Dark spots on the fur caused by flea droppings
- White spots on the fur caused by flea eggsΒ
- Usually attach near eyes and ears
- Use a flea comb and checking around neck , tail and belly
- Fur loss
Signs of ticks in dogs and cats
- Ticks are found most often near the head, neck, ears, or paws for dogs
- Ticks attach near eyes and ears of cats
- Ticks carry diseases, and hence it needs to be immediately removed once spotted
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How to pets get exposed to flea and ticks
Β Its impossible for ourΒ pets to be kept away from ticks and fleas as its present world-wide. It can live in a variety of climate zones. And this parasites can also travel around through wild animals. Catching flea and ticks can happen pretty easily.Β For an indoor cat for instance- can get flea by just coming to the house yard.Β Ticks are more common in woods and Outdoor dogs and cats are definitely more prone to catching them by just walking through it.Β
Are fleas and ticks life threatening to pets
According to petMD
"Fleas and ticks are ectoparasites, meaning they are pests that live on the outside of their host.
For fleas and tick to survive, they must bite their host and then feed on the blood. These bites can directly impact your dogβs health. The saliva from a flea bite can cause severe allergies,Β dermatitis, anemia, itching, and infection. Tick bites can cause infection, abscesses, paralysis, and even death.
These nasty parasites can also harbor and spread a variety of diseases to dogs, including:
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Bartonellosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted fever
- Tapeworms
- Babesiosis
Some of these diseases are even zoonotic, which means they can spread to you and your family. That is why itβs critical to keep fleas and ticks off your dog, as well as out of your home."Β
So how we do we help pets from parasites
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Β Prevention is the best way to protect our dear pets from these nasty parasites. There are a variety of products to control infestations on the pets as well as infestations inside the house. There are a variety of products to choose from ranging from shampoos , sprays , topical medication , special collars to oral medication . Before you choose any product, consider the safety of your pet as the highest priority.
Consulting you vet would be the best choice for the right products especially if you have more than 1 pet in the house or kids in the house.Β Β
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