Creepy Crawlers
This week I want to talk about bugs!!! Crawling, biting, itchy bugs that see your pet as an all day buffet. I'd like to share some facts and some advice. Let's identify these parasites, some of which are communicable to humans.
Our first offender is the flea. A small insect, capable of jumping incredible distances, with an elongated body suited for traveling within a pets coat, and a mouth designed for feeding on your pets blood. Fleas can cause a miriad of health issues for pets like anemia, flea bite dermatitis, and tapeworms. A flea infestation is a hassle in general and can be avoided with a monthly topical treatment that your vet has approved. I'm aware that many stores sell flea products, however few of those treatments are effective or even safe for all pets. For instance, if your pet has an underlying health issue that you aren't aware of, an over the counter topical treatment could have severe or adverse effects due to the inability of the body to process the chemicals. Always consult your vet first.
Our second pesky parasite is the tick. These arthropods latch onto potential hosts with strong mandibles and feed on their blood. Ticks are known to carry some pretty nasty diseases like Lyme Disease, Tick Paralysis, Ricketts, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, so prevention is imperative. Ticks live in grassy or wooded areas, places we love to take our pets. Some products may deter ticks, but the best defense is to check your fur baby for parasites and immediately remove any found, especially if you live in or have visited habitats ticks may reside in.
A truly fearsome parasite we may contend with is the heartworm. This parasitic nematode is delivered by the bite of a mosquito. Once the nematode enters the dogs system, it migrates to the heart and lungs of the host. The worm itself can be from 8-16 inches in length and resembles a wad of noodles. Heartworms are an extremely dangerous parasite that can become fatal to you pet, and can be very difficult and expensive to treat. The best course of action is a monthly preventative that your vet can prescribe.
As if those three aren't enough we also must be aware of intestinal worms as well. In addition to tapeworm (which gets a free ride into your pet's body by infecting a flea) there are also hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. These three can invade your fur kid by simply being in the soil. A sick animal can infect your pet simply by defecating in an area where your pet plays or walks. Worms can make your pet very ill. Your furbaby could experience diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, bloody stool, lethargy, amongst other symptoms. Additionally, intestinal worms can be transmitted to you and your family. Knowing the habits and transmission of these parasites can help you protect your pet.
Finally I'd like to include mites. Scarcoptic mange is another name for scabies, a tiny mite that burrows into the skin and causes extreme itchiness and pain. Scarcoptic mange can make your pet lose hair, itch to the point of creating scabs, and they can be transmitted to us! Treatment is usually dual and includes oral meds in tandem with medicated shampoo. Demodex is our second mite. This devil can cause extreme itching and hair loss. Demodectic mites can live on your pet in small numbers with no ill effect, however if the population rises an infestation can create havoc. Treatment is similar to that of other mites, and includes oral meds and medicated shampoos. Mite treatment is a lengthy process that could last months.
If your pet is battling any of these creepy crawlers always consult your vet. Flea and tick infestations can not be managed with a "dip" or bath since the fleas aren't only on your pet but most likely in your yard and/or home. Under no circumstances should you apply extra or additional flea and tick treatment to your pet without consulting your vet, as your fur baby could receive an overdose and have an adverse reaction. You may need to treat more than your pet to eradicate the infestation. If you suspect your fur baby may have intestinal worms or mites, seek treatment immediately. Knowledge is power when it comes to parasites.
Our first offender is the flea. A small insect, capable of jumping incredible distances, with an elongated body suited for traveling within a pets coat, and a mouth designed for feeding on your pets blood. Fleas can cause a miriad of health issues for pets like anemia, flea bite dermatitis, and tapeworms. A flea infestation is a hassle in general and can be avoided with a monthly topical treatment that your vet has approved. I'm aware that many stores sell flea products, however few of those treatments are effective or even safe for all pets. For instance, if your pet has an underlying health issue that you aren't aware of, an over the counter topical treatment could have severe or adverse effects due to the inability of the body to process the chemicals. Always consult your vet first.
Our second pesky parasite is the tick. These arthropods latch onto potential hosts with strong mandibles and feed on their blood. Ticks are known to carry some pretty nasty diseases like Lyme Disease, Tick Paralysis, Ricketts, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, so prevention is imperative. Ticks live in grassy or wooded areas, places we love to take our pets. Some products may deter ticks, but the best defense is to check your fur baby for parasites and immediately remove any found, especially if you live in or have visited habitats ticks may reside in.
A truly fearsome parasite we may contend with is the heartworm. This parasitic nematode is delivered by the bite of a mosquito. Once the nematode enters the dogs system, it migrates to the heart and lungs of the host. The worm itself can be from 8-16 inches in length and resembles a wad of noodles. Heartworms are an extremely dangerous parasite that can become fatal to you pet, and can be very difficult and expensive to treat. The best course of action is a monthly preventative that your vet can prescribe.
As if those three aren't enough we also must be aware of intestinal worms as well. In addition to tapeworm (which gets a free ride into your pet's body by infecting a flea) there are also hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. These three can invade your fur kid by simply being in the soil. A sick animal can infect your pet simply by defecating in an area where your pet plays or walks. Worms can make your pet very ill. Your furbaby could experience diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, bloody stool, lethargy, amongst other symptoms. Additionally, intestinal worms can be transmitted to you and your family. Knowing the habits and transmission of these parasites can help you protect your pet.
Finally I'd like to include mites. Scarcoptic mange is another name for scabies, a tiny mite that burrows into the skin and causes extreme itchiness and pain. Scarcoptic mange can make your pet lose hair, itch to the point of creating scabs, and they can be transmitted to us! Treatment is usually dual and includes oral meds in tandem with medicated shampoo. Demodex is our second mite. This devil can cause extreme itching and hair loss. Demodectic mites can live on your pet in small numbers with no ill effect, however if the population rises an infestation can create havoc. Treatment is similar to that of other mites, and includes oral meds and medicated shampoos. Mite treatment is a lengthy process that could last months.
If your pet is battling any of these creepy crawlers always consult your vet. Flea and tick infestations can not be managed with a "dip" or bath since the fleas aren't only on your pet but most likely in your yard and/or home. Under no circumstances should you apply extra or additional flea and tick treatment to your pet without consulting your vet, as your fur baby could receive an overdose and have an adverse reaction. You may need to treat more than your pet to eradicate the infestation. If you suspect your fur baby may have intestinal worms or mites, seek treatment immediately. Knowledge is power when it comes to parasites.
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