Pet’s soft fur provides a great environment and hiding place for fleas and ticks. These insects feed on your pet’s 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 toward them off any time of year. Fleas love dogs, but the feeling definitely isn’t mutual. These parasites can jump on your dog while your dog is playing in the yard or travel into your home on the fur or clothing of a visiting pet or human, eventually finding their way to your pet. Fleas then stay alive by biting your dog’s skin and sucking blood, leading to skin irritation and potentially even transferring diseases and parasites in the process. If your dog is scratching more than usual, it could indicate a flea infestation.
Fleas and ticks are the two most common external parasites found in dogs and cats, and both will cause your pet to scratch themselves more frequently. These nasty little guys survive by feeding on the blood of dogs, cats and sometimes people. Flea and tick bites can lead to health problems including constant itching, hair loss (alopecia), hypersensitivity (allergic reaction), as well as infections and transmission of disease.
Fleas
Fleas are the most common external parasite to plague companion animals. They are wingless insects that feed on blood, can jump up to two feet high and are persistent in the environment.
Fleas can live for as few as 13 days or as long as 12 months—and during that time, can produce millions of offspring. Each flea may lay between 40 to 50 eggs per day, and more than 600 eggs during its life cycle. We can easily turn from having just one flea to thousands of fleas at home. Adult fleas live all their life cycle beating pets, but eggs, larvas, and pupas live in the environment and they represent the “real” problem for their eradication. Pupas remain latent inside a very resistant cocoon, waiting for proper conditions to go out. Until signs like temperature, humidity, vibrations, and gases that we eliminate when breathing, “wake them up”, and they start beating.
Flea bites may be more than an itchy annoyance to some dogs and cats. They can cause flea allergy dermatitis — an allergic reaction to proteins in flea saliva. And a pet’s constant scratching can cause permanent hair loss or other skin problems. In severe infestations, fleas feasting on your pet’s blood can lead to anemia and, in rare cases, death.
Fleas are very small and agile —turning them into elusive parasites— and they may jump long distances, up to 200 times the length of their own body. Therefore, it’s making them difficult to detect at a glance. The most common symptom is intense scratching, more or less vigorous, depending on the animal. To feed, fleas spread their saliva, preventing blood from coagulating; and this causes allergy in most pets, exacerbating the itching and the stress on such animals affected.
Causes of Fleas
Fleas are easily brought in from the outdoors.
Fleas thrive in warm, humid climates at temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees.
Adult fleas spend most of their lives on the animal, laying eggs in the fur.
These eggs drop out onto rugs, upholstery, bedding and furniture; the new adult fleas will, in turn, find their living host (either human or animal).
Symptoms of Fleas on Dogs
Symptom of Fleas on Cats
If you see your cat scratching often and persistently, invest in a fine-tooth comb and run it through her fur, paying special attention to the neck and the base of the tail. If you see small, fast-moving brown shapes about the size of a pinhead in her fur, your cat has fleas. Other symptoms:
Ticks
Ticks are arachnids that belong to the same family as spiders. They neither fly nor jump, but they take the opportunity to make contact with dogs and, more eventually, with cats and humans. They are fed on blood, and during their life cycle, they mature in 4 stages: the egg from which the larva emerges to become a pupa and, finally, turn into an adult flea. They climb on the animal to feed and drop to the ground to mature into the next stage.
Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of unlucky host animals, such as cats and dogs. Like mites and spiders, ticks are arachnids. Although their presence may not even be noticed by the host, ticks can transmit many diseases through their bite.
Ticks can also harm your pet, transmitting tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, and Bartonellosis. And pets can bring ticks into the home, exposing you and your family to illness from a tick bite.
Deer Tick
Deer ticks feed on many types of mammals, including people. The adults are reddish-brown and live in wooded areas generally in the Northeast and Midwest, but they can be found elsewhere. They're dangerous because they can transmit Lyme disease to dogs and people. Lyme disease causes fever and joint pain and, sometimes, serious kidney disease in dogs..
American Dog Tick
This is one of the most common ticks. It feeds on people as well as dogs. It’s easy to spot the females because they have a large silver spot behind the head. They swell to the size of a small grape after feeding. These ticks can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but only if they're attached for at least 5-20 hours. This disease can be fatal in dogs and may cause serious symptoms in people.
Flea Treatment
Using topical, oral treatment, the use of shampoo or sprays on your pets.
VEMEDIM PLEASE TO HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE QUALITY PRODUCT TO HELP YOUR PET TO KILL FLEAS AND TICKS.
- FRONIL EXTRA is a fast-action, long-lasting and waterproof flea and tick protection proven to kill fleas, flea eggs, lice, and ticks for dogs. Designed for all breeds of dogs and cats. Stored in the oil glands of your pet's skin, one easy topical application works for 30 days.
- Kills adult fleas, ticks, chewing lice, mites, and flea eggs and larvae effectively
- Waterproof 24 hours after application
- Easy to apply for once a month for lasting protection
- For best results, apply every month
2. SPRAY DOG: Specifically for the treatment of louse, ticks and fleas in dogs, chicken and cattle. It is also effective in killing flies, ants, cockroaches and mosquitoes.
-Kills preadult fleas and flea eggs, preventing them from growing into biting adult fleas
-Aids in the control of flea bite dermatitis by killing fleas
3. Vime Shampo is a fresh-smelling, easy way to freshen your pet in baths. This waterless dog shampoo absorbs excess oils on dog coats and leaves behind an elegant fragrance scent that everyone will enjoy. Safe, pH balanced for dogs, and easy to use, this shampoo for dogs is all you need for a quick refresh. Additionally, Vime Shampo contains a special active ingredient used to kill ticks, fleas, and lice in dogs and pets.
- An easy and efficient way to keep your dog's coat clean in between baths
- This pH-balanced waterless dog shampoo is sulfate-free and paraben-free, making it a shampoo that's great for all dogs and puppies
- The easy to use aerosol Vime shampo absorb onto your dog's coat for a simple way to achieve a great clean
- Use Vime shampo for smelly dogs and see how it combats odors while freshening your pets.
PREVENTION
In Your Home
When fleas lay eggs on your pet, some eggs may fall off and hatch on your carpet, bed, or other furniture. The new fleas then target you and your pet, feed on your blood and lay more eggs. Carpets and humid areas are favorites for fleas. Replace carpeting and keep your home as dry as possible to make your house less friendly for fleas.
Tick Warning Signs
You can feel ticks when you pet your cat or dog, and you can see them. They most often attach near the head, neck, ears, or paws. On cats, they're usually found around the ears and eyes. Ticks can carry diseases. If you find a tick on your pet, try to remove it as soon as possible.
Steps to protect your pets
If the product label indicates that the medication is to be used for DOGS ONLY, it is only to be used for dogs. NEVER cats, no matter the size or breed.
Read the entire label before you use the product- understand the medication and instructions- this means that you never apply more or less of what is recommended.
Ensure that the weight of the pet is noted. Look at the weight range provided on the label of the medication and make sure that your pet’s weight falls within that range. Dosage and weight go hand in hand. Giving a smaller dog a dose that is for larger dogs can harm the pet.
REFERENCES
https://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-flea-and-tick-overview
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fleas-and-ticks
https://www.mypet.com/fleas-and-ticks/is-my-pet-at-risk.aspx
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safe-use-flea-and-tick-products-pets
https://labyes.com/en/everything-need-know-fleas-ticks/
