Pets are prone to tick and flea infestation, and are hence, at a risk of contracting diseases such as Lyme diseases, tick fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Here is some expert advice on how to safeguard your pets from fleas and ticks and prevent the diseases that they transmit.
How do ticks and fleas affect dogs and cats?
Pets display unique signs when infested with ticks or fleas. They can be seen biting, scratching, or licking the skin excessively. Loss of fur can occur because of the frequent licking and scratching or as a reaction to tick and flea bites. The pet’s gums may turn pale, which is indicative of anemia that occurs due to blood loss.
How do I check my pet for flea infestation?
Searching for fleas on the pet’s body is quite complicated. However, it may be easier to look for the fecal matter of fleas on the pet’s coat.
How do I protect my pet from flea infestation?
Inspect your pets for signs of tick and flea infestation regularly, especially during the warm months when these troublesome parasites are more prevalent. As a preventive measure, bathe your pet with an antiflea shampoo periodically. Use a tick/flea comb to help reduce the number of adult fleas. If signs of flea infestation persist, a follow-up with the veterinarian 2 weeks after the first visit would be necessary to eliminate the fleas in cocoons that may have survived the first round of treatment.
How do I check my pet for tick infestation?
To check for tick infestation, simply run your fingers through your pet’s fur and feel for any tiny lumps. Pay close attention to the typical tick hiding places on the animal’s body, such as the regions behind the collar, around and inside ears, between the eyelids, between the front thighs, close to the tail and amid the toes.
How do I eliminate ticks from my pet’s body?
To spot the tick on a pet’s body, part of pet’s fur. Using a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick as closely to the pet’s skin as possible and firmly and gradually raise the tick. Ensure not to jerk or twist the tick because it can cause a part of the tick’s mouth to remain in the pet’s skin.
Do ticks and fleas affect humans?
Generally, ticks do not have a preference of harboring humans for feeding; however, they are happy to do so on other animal species.
Numerous blood-borne pathogens, including those that cause Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are transmitted to different animals by ticks. Other than in extreme circumstances, fleas do not bite humans. To hatch their eggs, fleas need a blood meal from a dog or cat, and human blood is insufficient for this purpose. But if a pet is severely infested, then the humans at home may get bitten by the fleas and experience swelling, itching and local irritation.
I keep my pet indoors mostly. Do I still need to take any measures to prevent my pet from being infested by ticks and fleas?
Tick and flea eggs and larvae are extremely small. Rodents, other infested animals, and birds carry the juvenile ticks and fleas on their backs and transport them into homes. They can cling onto your clothes and shoes from contaminated outdoor places. So, there are possibilities of the pet getting infested by ticks and fleas despite staying indoors. Hence, keeping a parasite control product handy is recommended.
How do I protect my pet from ticks and fleas?
Keep the home and surroundings clean and inspecting the pet regularly for ticks and fleas are important. Additionally, I recommend using ERINA-EP Shampoo and ERINA-EP Powder from Himalaya Wellness, for both dogs and cats. These products are natural and safe for the prevention and control of tick and flea infestation.