Ectoparasites in dogs and cats – Fleas and Ticks
Fleas
How can my pet catch fleas?
Fleas are found throughout the UK, in both home environments and outside in parks/gardens/woods etc. Fleas jump onto your pet as they are attracted to both the warmth and movement that he/she produces. Once on your pet, the adult flea lays multiple eggs. These then go on to develop into larvae, the intermediatelife-stage of the flea. Once the conditions are right (usually when there are warm temperatures) young adult fleas develop from the larvae which then infest your pet.
Flea larvae can accumulate in your carpet for many months and all emerge at a similar time when conditions are right, leading to a potential infestation within your home.
How will I know if my pet has fleas?
If your pet has fleas you will usually notice some of the following symptoms
- Itching and chewing especially around the backend area
- Hair loss due to biting and scratching
- Dark flecks of dirt deep in the hair coat (this is flea dirt)
- Small black insects moving quickly within the coat/on the skin – these are fleas
Fleas are very small and it can be very difficult to find them even in heavy infestations.
How can I treat my pet for fleas?
It is important to treat not only your pet for fleas but also any other animals within the house and the home environment too. We advise the follow approach to managing fleas:
This approach helps to help break the cycle of flea development, killing any flea larvae in the environment before they hatch out into adult fleas. Not only is it important to follow the ‘three stage approach’ but it is also extremely important that you use treatments that are effective and safe for your pets. This is why we recommend you always purchase flea treatment products from us directly as we can ensure they are appropriate for your pet and that when used correctly, they will work.
For treatment of your pet we recommend either using a spot-on treatment (a liquid applied to the back of the pet’s neck) or a tablet once a month. Products that we currently use are Advantage®, Advantix® and Advocate®.
For treating your home and car, we recommend using a household insecticide spray. We recommend the use of Indorex® spay that helps prevent environmental reinfestation for up to 12 months. It is best used throughout the entire home including all soft furnishings and your pets bedding. Always read the instructions before use. The spot-on treatments, Advantage® and Advantix® also help to kill larval stages of fleas found within the environment, helping to contribute to environmental flea control.
How can I prevent my pet catching fleas?
It is almost impossible to avoid your pet coming into contact with fleas. We therefore advise treating for fleas on a monthly basis with the previously described products to prevent infestation.
Ticks
How can my pet catch ticks and how will I know if he/she has them?
Ticks tend to be found in vegetation especially in woods and moorland. They are most commonly found during warmer times of the year from spring to early autumn. They attach to your pet when your pet brushes past themwhen passing through vegetation. They can be as small as a pinhead but most commonly have the appearance of a small grey-brown coloured pea or wart attached to your pet’s skin. There may be one or several ticks attached to your pet at any one time. They may cause pain or irritation when present and you may notice your pet chewing/scratching at the affected area.
How can ticks be treated and prevented?
Avoiding areas that are known to have high levels of ticks can help prevent infestation. You can use Advantix® monthly as both a treatment for ticks and as a preventative measure. If your dog has a tick that is causing irritation and not responding to treatment, we recommend you bring your pet in to see us so we can safely remove it.
Can ticks be harmful?
Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis which can make your dog feel very unwell and even be fatal. If your dog seems lethargic or unwell after being bitten by a tickyou should contact us directly.