Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks bring on the Spring and Summer blues for our pets. Fleas and ticks are tough to control once you have an infestation; the key of course is prevention.
Don't let them in to begin with. If you use a good flea and tick preventative on a regular basis then you won't have to worry about fleas and ticks on your pets or in your house.
Ask your veterinarian practice for advise and remember it is important when treating pets to follow label instructions. Never apply a product labelled for a dog on a cat and vice versa. Also, avoid those products you can purchase from supermarkets as they can contain ingredients that can be harmful to cats (cause seizures and death) and if you are not careful you could accidentally hurt a family pet.
Stick with products you get through your veterinarian, these treatments will come recommended for your pet together with guidance on how to use and any follow up treatment requirements.
How do I know if my dog has fleas?
Common symptoms of canine fleas include itching, red pimples or bumps on your dogs behind, under the legs, base of the tail, groin or belly. When your dog goes to itch this area, their hair can fall out and their skin becomes dry.
If the condition continues, the skin can become crusty and infected causing crusty lesions.
How can I find a tick on my pet?
Although most ticks are found around the head and neck of the animal as well as inside the ears, they can end up anywhere on the body. It is especially important to search longhaired dogs very thoroughly between the eyes and the end of the nose.
The most reliable way to locate the ticks is to systematically run your fingers through
your dog's coat. I find using a tick hook like the green one shown here to be the most reliable way to remove ticks. If the head is left in, don't worry as the tick will die and inject no more poison. Always assume there is more than one tick and continue your systematic search.
The residual effect
Even when you find a tick and remove it, your pet isn't out of the woods. There's a very good chance the tick could have left a residue of poison under the skin that will then be slowly absorbed. You should keep an eye on him or her for the next two to four days, keeping it cool and calm while avoiding excitement and exercise. Although rare, the possibility of tick poisoning should not be underestimated. Any dog found to have multiple ticks should be watched for several days for a change in voice tone, weakness of the back legs, lethagy and vomiting. If you have any worries about tick poisoning please consult your vet immediately