As spring kicks in, the likelihood of ticks and fleas increases. Both ticks and fleas tend to nest in the warm fur of your pets and feed on their blood. They can irritate your pet’s skin and transmit severe diseases if taken lightly.
Read on to know some fundamentals surrounding these external parasites so you can be well-prepared to keep your pets safe this flea & tick season.
Tick vs. Flea
Both ticks and fleas are external parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts and are capable of transmitting diseases. While flea transmits tapeworms, ticks transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Ticks have a flat, teardrop shape and are generally larger than fleas. On the other hand, fleas are best identified by fecal debris (flea dirt) left by the adult parasites.
While a flea has six legs, ticks have eight legs because they’re related to the mite and spider family. Besides, ticks may have different hosts to feed on, whereas fleas stick to one host throughout their life.
Why Are Ticks a Concern?
- Tick infestation can cause anemia (especially in young animals).
- Prolonged attachment may result in tick paralysis.
- Ticks can transmit diseases that can affect both animals and humans.
Why Are Fleas a Concern?
- Flea saliva is antigenic and irritating; it can lead to hypersensitivity and itching.
- Since flea eggs are not sticky, they can fall on the carpet, bedding, and furniture.
- Flea infestation in animals can lead to anemia if not treated.
How to Check Your Pet for Ticks and Fleas?
Check your cat/dog every time they’ve been into bush and grass. If your pet is constantly scratching or licking one area, it could signify a tick or flea. While examining your pet’s body, pay special attention to:
- The groin
- Toes
- Ears
- Anal area
- The tail and eyelids
It wouldn’t be easy to detect these parasites if you have a long-haired pet. For that reason, use a pet hair dryer to blow the coat around. This will make the hair part so you can skim and spot any ticks/fleas hiding inside.
When You Spot Ticks
Using a tweezer or any tick removal gadget, grasp the tick the closest it gets to the skin and pull it up. Then, clean the bitten area and your hands with rubbing alcohol/iodine or soap and water.
Ticks are difficult to kill; stamping them or tossing them out might not be sufficient. It’s best to put them in isopropyl alcohol to have them killed.
You can take the dead ticks to a veterinary clinic with your pet for examination. Having the tick specie and engagement level identified would help analyze the risk of disease transmission.
When You Spot Fleas
If you find fleas on your cat or dog, consult an animal hospital for a vet appointment. Most likely, your pet would be treated for at least three months with a tropical or oral parasite product for flea treatment.
Next, you should be cleaning your house since fleas and eggs would likely be in the environment now. This should include vacuuming your carpets and furniture and washing your bedding and blankets. Alternatively, you could get a flea spray that kills fleas in the environment.
Flea and Tick Prevention for Pets
Take these steps to keep the risk of fleas and ticks at bay.
- Visit your nearest veterinary clinic in New Hamburg to get the best preventative plan.
- Consistently apply tick and flea preventatives throughout the tick and flea season.
- Make sure to remove ticks within 24 to 36 hours of a bite.
- Don’t squish a tick since it could increase the risk of infection for you and your pet.
- Avoid over-the-counter medications commonly available from pet stores.
- Prevent releasing your pet in wooded and high grass areas where ticks are usually found.
- If your pets go outdoors daily, check them for fleas and ticks every day.
