A Pet's View / June 2008
Fleas and Ticks
By: Clark Tran
Fleas are small wingless parasitic insects that live off the blood of mammals and birds. Frequently, fleas just bother our furry friends, but sometimes they develop allergic reactions to the fleas’ saliva. This leads to the development of rashes and even loss of fur from excessive scratching or biting. This is called flea allergy dermatitis, and when present can lead to secondary skin infections from the biting and scratching done to alleviate the itching.
Even if your pet doesn’t have allergic reactions to fleas, you should beware. Fleas can carry diseases such as tapeworms and Lyme disease. Although tapeworms are not actually transmitted through flea bites, the fleas often carry tapeworm eggs. When your pet bites to relieve itching, he may ingest the parasite and become infected.
Fleas have four stages in their life cycle; egg, larva, pupa & adult. The length of the cycle can be anywhere from 2 weeks up to a year, depending on the environment; temperature, humidity, and food availability.
One flea can produce 2,000 eggs in its lifetime and can reproduce year-round in southern climates. They prefer high humidity, and temperature is why we notice them so much more during the warm summer months.
Ticks are parasitic vertebrates that infest every class of terrestrial vertebrate, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. A tick is not an insect. They are members of the class Arachnida, which includes spiders, scorpions, and mites.
While there are many species of ticks throughout the world, only a few are known to cause problems to humans and pets in North America. Ticks are more likely to target dogs. If you live in an area populated with ticks you should keep a sharp eye on these parasites. They can transmit serious diseases (such as rickettsial diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis) to dogs and even to humans.
The best way to help your furry companion is to get veterinary advice. There are two types of products out there for use on your pet, one is to prevent fleas from developing on your pet, and one is to treat an active infestation.
There are orally administered products on the market formulated to bread the flea’s life cycle by preventing flea eggs or larvae from developing into adults. However, these products have no effect on adult fleas that may currently exist on your pet. Treat it by using a topical or oral flea medication will prevent the unnecessary suffering of your pet. If your pets are not on flea preventatives, there’s a good chance they “Got fleas”. Fortunately, a relatively new class of flea control products such as Frontline Plus, Advantage, and others has been introduced over the past few years. These treatments are used monthly and provide the best protection available against fleas.
Fleas spread fast, which is why immediate relief is often necessary. The distribution of fleas often involves the lower back, base of the tail, toward the back, the abdomen, flanks and neck. It may become quite generalized in severe cases, leading to total body involvement.
· Applying an insecticide directly to your pet are the quickest and most efficient way to kill fleas. One of the most famous products is Frontline Spray. These kinds of sprays penetrate to the skin where most of the fleas are found. Once the insecticide comes in direct contact with the fleas, it will only take a few minutes for the fleas to die. Products that are applied to one spot on the coat, such as Advantage for dogs or cats, are also very effective in killing fleas. These products provide long term whole body protection.
· Adult fleas are usually killed fairly quickly, while newly developing fleas in the environment surrounding your pet, may delay complete flea control. If you currently have infestations on your pet and in your home, it may take approximately 2 to 3 weeks after the initial application before you see complete flea eradication. You may need to treat your home after 2 weeks, to kill new adult fleas as they emerge from their protective pupal cocoons.
Flea & tick collars can be effective, but must be applied properly. To get the right degree of snugness, you should just be able to get two fingers between the collar and your pet’s neck. Be sure to cut off any excess portion of the collar after you have properly applied it. Otherwise, the animal or other pets may try to chew on the end.
When using flea treatment and prevention; make sure that the product you are using is specifically meant for your pet. Do not use medications indicated for dogs on cats, and vice versa, as your pet could get seriously ill or die. In case of accidental administration seek immediate veterinary assistance.
For more information on this subject or any additional pet health articles please visit www.entirelypets.com.
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