Common Pet Pests and Parasites
Pet parents and their furry friends love spending time outdoors, especially when the skies are clear and the sun is out. Different parasites can be a problem at any time of the year, but they come out of the woodwork in warmer weather.
Beware of these pesky little creatures! Here are common pet parasites and some tips on how to protect your pets from them:
FLEAS
Fleas are the most common of all parasites that may cause major illnesses to your pets and to the whole household. Individual fleas can lay a thousand eggs and it only takes a couple of them to start an infestation. If you don't ask fast, you'll soon have a major flea crisis that will cost a lot of time and money. These parasites also result in Cat Scratch fever, itchiness, tapeworms, and allergic reactions as well.
If you suspect that your pet has this type of parasite, ask your veterinarian for flea medication or a strong shampoo for your pet. Buy flea powder, traps, and other tools that may help in eliminating fleas that have spread around your house.
TICKS
Ticks are spider-like, blood-sucking crawlers that creep in between your pet’s fur. They usually climb up your pet and stick around the head, neck, ears and feet. This parasite carries some of the most serious and prevalent illnesses like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.
You can use tweezers to manually extract ticks from your pet. Be sure to avoid leaving the tick’s head in your pet’s skin. Call your vet if you need help!
HEARTWORMS
Heartworms can be found in every state in America but they are more prevalent in humid regions. They are transmitted from a bite of a mosquito that transfers their larvae to a host. These larvae grow into adult worms and start invading the vessels of the lungs and the heart. Heartworms may be fatal — especially in cats.
Have a stool sample arranged and checked by your vet for proper treatment. Your pet will usually undergo de-worming and after two or three sessions, your pet will be back to normal!