What are Fleas?
It is highly encourage for pet-owners living in tropical areas or warmer climates (e.g. Texas) to be alarmed by fleas. It would be a grave mistake to think of fleas as simply a nuisance. A heavy flea burden is lethal, especially to smaller or younger animals. Fleas are adaptive and their life cycle is always active: eggs are laid, larvae are developing, pupae are growing, etc.
They tend to thrive particularly well in the regulated temperatures of the home.
Fleas are mobile and opportunistic. They are able to jump great distances to explore new hosts. Exposure can happen merely passing an infected animal within range on the street, or in your apartment complex in the moments when you are coming in the door and your pet is there to greet you.
Fleas love to develop in the cracks between the boards of hardwood floors. They are not merely prone to harboring in carpets or soft materials.
You cannot expect to see fleas as many animals are adept at licking them away. Sometimes all that is seen is the characteristic skin irritation or disease.
The presence of tapeworm in your pet’s stool is also an indication that fleas may be present. When flea eggs are ingested, they complete their life cycle in a pet’s GI tract, presenting in the stool as tapeworms.
What are Parasites?
Parasites are small to microscopic organisms that can live both on your pet and in their digestive system. They are more common in kittens, as they can pass between littermates and from their mothers as they nurse. All the things they do with their mouths – groom, lick, wrestle, and other social habits – can pass along unwanted guests to playmates and companions, feline and human alike.
What are Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites are different and unrelated to heartworm disease. They are more common, especially in puppies, and often more easily treatable. Dogs are known to sniff, lick, and gobble anything in their paths, including dirt, trash, and other animal feces. They can also obtain them from drinking lake or river water, as well as stagnant puddles. All the things they do with their mouths — groom, kiss, wrestle, and other social habits — can pass along unwanted guests to playmates and companions, canine and human alike.
Parasites worm their way into most dogs’ lives at one time or another. This is why we recommend annual fecal testing. Intestinal parasites are especially common in puppies, and most require deworming. Some signs of intestinal parasites include if your dog has diarrhea or is vomiting, coughing, chewing or licking under their tail, short of breath, or losing weight. If you notice any of these symptoms, your dog should be seen by a veterinarian. The symptoms and treatments depend on the type of worm and where it is living in your dog’s body.
What are Ticks?
Ticks are parasites who feed on blood and transmit disease. While they are more prevalent in wooded areas of the country, they find their way to urban areas as hitchhikers aboard wildlife and domestic animals alike.
About ticks:
- Ticks carry diseases that both humans and animals are affected by. Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichia, and Lyme disease are the most common, and cause a variety of symptoms including fever, lethargy, and lameness or soreness of the limbs. We test for these diseases using a small blood sample sent out to a lab, which is included when testing for the Heartworm disease.
- Tick borne diseases are typically transmitted after a tick has been attached for more than 48 hours.
- If you don’t feel comfortable safely removing the embedded tick or confident in removing the entire “head,” please contact us for assistance.
Prevention:
It is encouraged for all pets to be on some form of flea and tick prevention for life especially if they live in warmer areas.
- For dogs the product our Doctors recommend is Simparica or Simparica Trio
- Simparica is a monthly chewable tablet that will kill fleas before they lay eggs and it also kills 5 types of ticks
- Simparica Trio is also a monthly chewable tablet that will kill fleas before they lay eggs and 5 types of ticks. Additionally it is also a combination product that prevents Heartworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and other various intestinal parasites.
- For cats the product our Doctors recommend is Revolution Plus
- Revolution Plus is a topical solution for cats that will kill fleas before they lay eggs, kill ticks for a full month, prevent Heartworm disease, treat and controls ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms
Please note that all of these products are weight dependent and require prescriptions from a veterinarian.