Flea and tick prevention and management to keep your pet (and household) healthy and happy
Flea and tick prevention and management to keep your pet (and household) healthy and happy
Fleas and ticks are more than an annoyance or source of discomfort. They can carry serious diseases that can affect your pets and household members. Dr. Star Gregory and her team at Zutilla Pet Clinic prioritize wellness visits and preventive care. With regular visits and routine care, our team in Dalton, Georgia, can prevent these potential threats to your household’s health. In addition to flea and tick prevention, Dr. Gregory also recommends prompt and effective interventions to treat existing infestations.
Why is it so important to prevent and treat fleas?
These external parasites are small but mighty. They reproduce rapidly and can easily embed themselves in animals, carpets, furniture, plants, soil, and more. Your pet may be miserable due to fleas, as they cause severe itching and discomfort. Intense itching can lead to open sores and serious skin infections. Beyond this, heavy infestations can lead to blood loss or anemia. Fleas may also cause tapeworm infestations if your pet bites or swallows an infected flea.
Human family members may also be affected by fleas. Some people are highly allergic or sensitive to flea bites. Several flea-related diseases can affect people. It is always best to protect against these infestations; however, the next best thing is to treat suspected infestations right away.
What are the problems associated with ticks?
Like fleas, ticks can hitch a ride on your pet and bite and feast on their blood. In fact, it’s estimated that adult female ticks can consume up to 100 times their weight in blood. Because ticks survive by feeding on blood, they can cause blood loss and anemia in our pets, too. Skin irritation and complications, such as skin infections, are also possible. Ticks are perhaps most famously associated with Lyme disease, but they can also spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other illnesses to both animals and people.
How can I prevent fleas and ticks?
It is essential to establish a routine for your pet to take flea and tick preventives. These medications come in many forms, from topical treatments to oral chews. Dr. Gregory will discuss the most appropriate preventive product for your pet, based on factors such as your pet’s species, age, weight, and lifestyle. It is important to consider these factors because some products, for instance, contain ingredients toxic to cats. So, they would only be safe for the dogs in your household. It’s also important to always check for fleas, ticks, and other external parasites whenever your pet is groomed and otherwise in environments where their exposure to these creepy-crawlies is higher. You should also contact us right away if you notice red flags, such as your pet suddenly and intensely shaking their head, scratching their ears, and persistently licking their coat.
How can I get rid of fleas and ticks?
Dr. Gregory can advise on ways to safely and effectively treat and manage infestations, based on your needs and circumstances. It’s important to thoroughly clean any areas that could harbor fleas, especially carpets, bedding, and pet cushions or mats. Dr. Gregory may advise on the right flea-killing products for use inside and outside the home. By keeping your yard tidy, you can also make it less attractive to ticks, which flourish in tall grasses, bushes, and brush.
If you find ticks, there is a correct way to remove them. You can buy special products that help with this process. Generally, you should gently and steadily pull the tick free so it does not twist or crush. Parts of the tick may remain dislodged in your pet’s skin if it is crushed or removed in a twisting or jerking pattern. If that happens, your pet may still be vulnerable to skin reactions or infections.
Fleas, ticks, and other parasites are unpleasant at best and downright dangerous at worst. However, they never have to be a problem for your pet and household as long as you keep up with your pet’s preventive program and remain vigilant for signs of infestations. To schedule your pet’s wellness exam, call or text Zutilla Pet Clinic in Dalton, GA, at (706) 686-3653 today.