Fleas, Ticks and Parasites


	Spring brings Flowers and Fleas It’s that time of year again. Spring has sprung so it’s only natural for you and your pet to enjoy spending time outdoors again. Of course, this means an increased chance of exposure to fleas. Fleas are among the most common health problem of dogs and cats. In the long run, it is much easier and more cost-effective to prevent fleas on your pets than to have to treat a major infestation of fleas in your house. Regular use of flea products will take care of the occasional flea your pets may encounter in the yard and should prevent you from having to spend large sums of money on foggers and exterminators. Since flea bites may be unnoticeable in your dog, some outward symptoms include hair loss, red lesions, and itching. You may need to find the adult fleas in the animal such as using a flea comb to detect fleas and flea bites (usually found on the head of your dog). If you notice symptoms in your pet and/or have discovered a flea infestation, call your veterinarian immediately. Once inside your home, there is no place a flea cannot get to. Adult fleas spend most of their time on your pet but the remainder of the time they are roaming your house and laying eggs – thousands of them. Since fleas can thrive for several months in your house and yard (flea eggs can stay alive in carpets, cushions, and curtains for years!), it’s critical to keep your house clean.

Fun Facts about Fleas

Fleas can bite up to 400 times a day!
Fleas can jump…
- A distance that measures 150 times their own size.
- 30,000 times in a row without stopping.
- In opposite direction (left and right) with every jump.
A female flea consumes 15 times her own body weight in blood every day.
A female flea can lay 2,000 eggs.
Just one flea can multiply to 1,000 fleas on your pet and in your home in 21 days.
Flea fossils date all the way back to the Lower Cretaceous period… about 100 million year ago!
On average, a flea lives 2 – 3 months.
Adult fleas spend most of their lives feasting on your pet.

All of these facts mean on thing: fleas are tough to deal with.


	Flea Combs Flea combs make the perfect addition in helping to keep your pets flea free. Flea combs can be used as an important part of an overall flea and tick prevention program. Flea combs have fine teeth that remove adult fleas and eggs from fur. Most dogs and cats seem to enjoy this treatment. Here is how you can make use of a flea comb to help reduce the flea population on your dog or cat: First, find a quiet place and make your dog or cat feel comfortable. Prepare a bowl of soapy water and put it next to you. Using the flea comb, start combing through the fur coat of your dog or cat. Pay particular attention to the face and neck and the area just in front of the tail. These are areas that fleas are frequently found. The flea comb will remove both the adult fleas as well as eggs that are present on the fur. Dip the flea comb into the bowl of soapy water. Fleas will be killed by the soapy water. Repeat the combing session several times a day if possible to remove as many fleas from your pet as possible. Dogs and cats love and enjoy being groomed and this is an excellent opportunity for you to bond with your pet. There are many flea combs available in the market and price can range from a few dollars to thirty or forty dollars.

Parasite Awareness

Perhaps your pet will never have intestinal parasites. But unpleasant as it may seem, pet owners should be aware of worms and other parasites that can affect their animals’ health.

Cats and dogs are the favorite nesting grounds of four principal groups of worms and a few species of microscopic protozoa. The four worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Among the protozoa are coccidian, toxoplasma, giardia, and ameba.

Proper identification is vital. Unfortunately, in the case of parasites, identification isn’t always easy because adult worms release their eggs sporadically. Knowing exactly what the problem is, is the first step in finding a solution.

Tips to prevent the spread of parasites between pets and people are:

Annual physical examinations for your pets
Annual fecal examinations for adult pets; more frequent fecal examinations forpuppies
Over-the-counter de-wormers may not work. Veterinarians should do de-worming
Avoid interaction between pets and wildlife
Do not leave pet food outside, it may attract wildlife
Pick up after pets; obey “no pet” signs for beaches and playgrounds
Cover your child’s sandbox when not in use, and avoid public playground sandboxes
Do not let children touch pet litter boxes
When changing litter, wear gloves and wash your hand thoroughly afterwards
Pregnant women should wear gloves and masks when gardening and avoid litter boxes
Use disposable liners, and change litter daily
Remove pet droppings from your yard daily
Do not feed pets undercooked or raw meat
Control fleas, lice, flies and other insects in your pet’s environment
When traveling, bring water for your pet, and do not let him/her drink from puddles or standing water