Flea and Tick Prevention on Dogs and Cats.

Hi everyone I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying this lovely weather, The latest on Cody is he's not been back to the vets no more health scares and seems to be back to his usual cheeky self.

Sheba is doing great, she just takes everything in her stride and nothing fazes her she was 6 years young in February and never been to the vet apart from routine vaccinations and a hot spot, she's loving this warm weather and getting out more.

I'm really proud of the both of them the way they deal with new situations, with Mum suffering from Alzheimer's and Anne and I taking turns to care for her it can't be easy on Sheba and Cody hopefully we will know more next month on what's happening.

I've just been sent this infographic from Ron Rutherford @ Havahart Wireless and though it was very informative and well worth sharing especially now the weather is warming up.

What’s the Difference Between Fleas and Ticks?

Though both pests look similar, fleas and ticks have very different life cycles and habits. Fleas tend to stick to one host for the duration of their lives, which can last for more than 100 days. Adult fleas lay 20-40 eggs per day for several weeks and these eggs are shed wherever the host goes.
Ticks, on the other hand, have multiple hosts throughout their life, which can last up to 3 years. Female ticks can lay thousands of eggs but only once in their life and immediately afterwards they die.
Ticks can also transmit deadlier diseases than fleas. Fleas spread bartonellosis and tapeworm. Ticks spread Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Can Humans Get Fleas?

It’s not just your pets who are at risk. Fleas bite humans, too. Their bites look like small, red bumps with a red halo around the center. Most often, you’ll find their itchy bites around your ankles or waist.
Most humans don’t contract any diseases from flea bites but that’s not the case for your pets.

How to Get Rid of Fleas and Ticks?

It’s important to keep your lawn cut short and to vacuum your home at least once a week to keep fleas and ticks away.
Here are a few tips for flea and tick prevention on dogs and cats:

• Wash your pet’s bedding 1-2 times per week.
• Always check pets for fleas and ticks after they come in from outside.
• Provide a flea collar, topical or chewable flea preventives for your pets.
• Keep your pet away from dense shrubbery and tall grass.

If you think your pet already has fleas, wash them with a flea and tick shampoo and then use a flea comb to get the little pests out of their fur. If you’ve found a tick on your pet, follow the instructions here to remove it quickly.

The importance of regular flea treatment.

Todays post is Reblogged from The Misadventures of Misaki with there kind permission.

Today’s post is from The Pet Medicine Company

 A flea infestation is more than just some mild discomfort for your dog. Left untreated, fleas can be a serious health hazard. While it would be nice to ignore the problem and just let it go away, the reality of the situation is that without a proper dog flea treatment, these pests will stay around for a long time. If you’re wondering how to approach a flea treatment for dogs in your household, consider the information below before making your final decision.

Symptoms of a Flea Infestation

 Contrary to popular belief, flea infestations in pets aren’t always easy to identify. Dogs scratch for a variety of reasons, including dry skin and certain types of allergies. Despite that, scratching is still the first sign that your dog might have a flea infestation. Chewing can also be common, where the dog seems to spend a lot of time nibbling at the hindquarters or paws. Other signs include red pimples or bumps that weren’t there before. These are usually located along the underbelly, near the groin, and at the base of the tail. These bumps are flea bites and indicate that the dog might have an infestation you need to deal with.

The Dangers Posed by Fleas

 Fleas are more than just an itchy nuisance. Without a proper flea treatment for dogs, these parasites can cause some major health problems. This can include making the dog more susceptible to other dangerous parasites, such as tapeworms or heartworms. The skin irritation caused by an infestation can cause rashes and hair loss. Because the fleas are feeding on your pet’s blood, there is a risk of anaemia, which can cause additional health complications and even death. The threat posed by fleas isn’t restricted just to dogs, either. While fleas don’t nest in humans, other parasites caused by the fleas can go from pets to their owners. Tapeworms, for example, can be passed from dogs to humans.

Treatment and Prevention

 There are multiple goals for any flea treatment for dogs. Adult fleas need to be killed, their eggs need to be removed, and any eggs or dander in the home must also be removed. Several flea treatment products are available to help this happen. Products such as Frontline and Revolution are extremely popular, although other similar products can also be effective. It’s important to keep applying the flea treatment on a monthly basis for at least six to nine months. This will ensure that all the fleas are dead and that any newborn fleas from eggs that might have been missed get killed off as well. You should also vacuum frequently and wash your pet’s bedding to eliminate flea dander and eggs.

Fleas are a problem that almost every dog has to deal with. However, you can limit the damage done by these parasites if you use preventive care, keep your pet’s environment clean, and stay vigilant. Finding the right flea treatment for your pets will also help keep them healthy for years to come.

Many thanks for the information The Pet Medicine Company

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