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Fleas and ticks are virtually everywhere. Although they’re a bigger
problem in certain parts of the country and at specific times during the
year, no cat or dog is completely safe from them. Fortunately, many safe
and highly effective products are available. Today, there’s no reason
for any pet or owner to be bothered by these pests.
Fleas are so common because they are reproductive marvels. A single
female flea can lay as many as 30 eggs a day and can live and breed on
your pet for up to 100 days. The eggs then fall and land in carpets and
upholstery, where they can lie dormant for up to 8 months. The best
management techniques of flea-proofing your home include regularly
vacuuming carpets, furniture, floors and areas where your pet sits or
sleeps. You should also wash your pet’s bedding, toys, and towels
weekly.
Beyond causing serious discomfort, fleas and ticks can carry diseases
dangerous to both you and your pet. Fleas can carry tapeworm larvae,
which your pet can ingest. In cats, in particular, fleas can carry an
organism called Bartonella henselae, which is one of the causes of
cat-scratch disease in humans. Ticks can transmit such serious diseases
as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever to both
you and your pet. Many pets are also so allergic to fleabites that a
single bite can cause an intense allergic reaction. When the skin is
irritated or inflamed, it can also become infected with bacteria or
other pathogens, making the problem worse. Ticks can be a particular
problem when present in large numbers, or when they attach in sensitive
places, like inside the ear or near an eye.
There are numerous signs that indicate that your pet may have fleas. If
your pet scratches occasionally or constantly it may be a sign of fleas.
Redness or oozing lesions on the skin can be signs of flea allergy
dermatitis, a condition caused by fleas. Tiny black dots on your pet
might be an indication of flea dirt, or flea feces, an obvious
indication that there are fleas present on the pet. Even small bites on
yourself, especially around the ankles, might be fleabites.
The good news is that all of these problems can be avoided using the
parasite preventatives available on the market today. Due to the mild
winters in our area, there is really never a dormant time for fleas.
Therefore, year-round flea prevention is recommended to avoid a flea
infestation situation.
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