Pet Q&A
Fleas & Ticks
Did You Know….?
Even if your pet is mostly indoors and does not have fleas, fleas can still enter your home in many ways. They can hop in from your yard, hitch a ride from you, or even be left over flea larvae from previous fleas which can remain dormant for astonishingly long periods of time. Many pets are allergic to flea bites, causing server and persistent itching, skin irritations, and loss of hair, especially near the base of the tail. They can also be carriers of diseases and parasitic worms, such as tapeworms.
How can I tell if my pet has fleas?
Part its hair and look for:
· Small bits of black "dust," attached to the fur, known as “flea dirt”.
· Check your pet for small brown sesame seed size insects attached or crawling on its skin.
· Check for skin irritation: flea bites or scratching and biting may leave red, irritated skin, and even bald patches.
· Use a flea comb through your pets coat and check for flea dirt and/or fleas. Also check your pets bedding and your pets’ snuggle spots in your home.
How do I get rid of the fleas?
Always remember no one method is 100% effective, and you will almost always have to combine several approaches to get the results you want. Some methods are applicable for indoor pets, and other are better suited for outdoor pets. You need to choose the set of approaches that best addresses your situation. You may find that you need to switch your approaches around from year to year. If you use the same product several years in a row, you may find the effectiveness lessened. Additionally, some years are worse than others, depending on the previous winter, and you may need to strike earlier with stronger methods some years and use milder methods another year. Always remember there is no 100% remedy and always use your best judgment when picking a method.
· You can buy or make a cedar-filled sleeping bed. Cedar repels many insects including fleas.
· Avoid excessive shampooing, fleas love dry skin. Many flea shampoos are NOT cleared for pets under 12 weeks old. Always consult your vet or groomer before applying any flea shampoo or dip on ANY puppy or kitten.
· Brewer's Yeast: Feed Brewer’s Yeast in small doses to your pet. The resultant body odor may repel fleas. Not to fret, you will not smell this odor. Depending on you pets’ body chemistry this may or may not be effective.
· Warning-Many flea pesticides, dips, or shampoos can be toxic and/or deadly to felines. Always read all labels before using any flea product if you have a cat at home.
How Can I tell If My Pet Has Ticks?
Ticks are small, rounded, and spider-like parasites that attach to your pet and feed off their blood. They may range in color and size, but most are small and brown, they may appear to be grayish in color if it has engorged itself. Ticks can cause illnesses such as anemia, and ascending tick paralysis due to neurotoxins in the salivary secretions. Some of the more common diseases are babesiosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichia, and Lyme disease. Some of these diseases can be transmitted to humans, so always be careful when dealing with any ticks. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap after handling a tick. It is best to have any ticks removed by your groomer.
How Do I Prevent Ticks?
If you have heavy infestations of ticks in your area and your pet is indoors/outdoors, spraying your backyard against ticks may be a good idea. You can use a tick collar containing amitraz, which prevents attachment and kills ticks with in 24 hours. It is NOT recommended for cats, and some dogs may have sensitivity to the collar.
****Please remember the above are only recommendations. Always check with your vet and/or groomer and use your best judgment when treating your pet for any conditions.**** Please feel free to call K9 Kuts at 954-349-4441 with any additional questions you may have about our services.
