Taking the Bite out of Fleas and Ticks
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
Fleas are truly devoted to their work. In one day, a single
flea can bite your cat or dog more than 400 times. During that
same day, the flea can consume more than its body weight of your
pet's blood. And before it's through, a female flea can lay
hundreds of eggs on your pet, ensuring that its work will be
carried on by generations to come.
Fleabites may be merely a nuisance to some pets, but to
others, they can be dangerous. They can cause flea allergy
dermatitis--an allergic reaction to proteins in flea saliva. A
pet's constant scratching to rid itself of fleas can cause
permanent hair loss and other skin problems. A pet can get a
tapeworm if it eats a flea that has one. And flea feasts on your
pet's blood can lead to anemia and, in rare cases, death.
But fleas are not your pet's only nemesis. Tick bites can give
your pet such infections as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky
Mountain spotted fever. And ticks can give those same infections
to you.
The good news is fleas and ticks are getting easier to
control. "In the last five years, flea products have greatly
improved," says Ann Stohlman, V.M.D., a veterinarian at the
Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Some flea prevention treatments also help kill ticks.
In years past, veterinarians recommended getting rid of fleas
by simultaneously "bombing" the house with insecticide,
spraying the yard, and dipping the dog or cat, says Stohlman.
Today, treating only the pet often takes care of the problem.
"But if there is a severe flea infestation or if the problem
persists, you may still need to treat the pet's
environment," she says.
Types of Flea and Tick Products
Hundreds of pesticides, repellents, and growth inhibitors are
approved or licensed to control fleas and ticks on cats and dogs
or in their environment. Products range from oral medications that require a
veterinarian's prescription to collars, sprays, dips, shampoos,
and powders that are available at retail stores.
"Spot-ons," liquid products applied directly to the
pet's skin, often behind the neck, are among the latest weapons
to be developed to fight fleas and ticks. Some products kill only
ticks or adult fleas--others break the flea life cycle by
preventing flea eggs from developing into adult fleas.
Some flea and tick products are not prescription drugs, yet
are available only through veterinarians. "This is because
the manufacturer chooses to sell its products through vets, so
that the vet can provide important safety information to the
client," says Elizabeth Luddy, D.V.M., an FDA veterinarian.
The Preventic collar is one such product. The collar kills
ticks by interfering with a tick's ability to feed on dogs. It
contains the insecticide amitraz, which paralyzes the tick's
mouthparts. Amitraz should not be used on dogs that are sickly,
pregnant, or nursing, or with certain drugs that may interact
with the insecticide. The manufacturer, Virbac Corp., Fort Worth,
Texas, sells the collar through veterinarians, who can ensure
that a dog is healthy and can use the collar safely.
When to Treat
It's best to treat your pet at the beginning of flea and tick
season, says Stohlman. The severity and length of the flea season
vary depending on which part of the country you live in. "It
can last four months in some places, but in other places, like
Florida, fleas can live all year long," says Stohlman. Fleas
also can live inside a warm house year-round.
In many areas, September is often the worst month for flea
infestation. In most parts of the United States, the greatest
chance of infection by a tick bite is May through September, the
period of greatest tick activity by "nymphs." Nymphs
are the stage of tick development that occurs after they have had
their first blood meal and molt, and before they become adults.
Lyme Disease
About 200 species of ticks live in the United States. Some of
these can transmit infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease, to
pets and humans. Studies indicate that dogs are 50 percent more
susceptible to Lyme disease than humans, according to the
American Veterinary Medical Association. Lyme disease is caused
by a bacterium transmitted through the bite of the deer tick,
also called the black-legged tick, which is no larger than the
head of a pin.
Typical symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include joint
soreness and lameness, fever, and loss of appetite. Symptoms in
humans include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and
joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a red, circular skin rash.
Read the Label, Talk to Your Vet
When buying a flea or tick product, it's important for pet
owners to read the label and follow the directions carefully,
says Steve Hansen, D.V.M., director of the ASPCA Animal Poison
Control Center. Hansen reports a "serious problem" with
the misuse of dog flea and tick control products containing the
insecticide permethrin. Dogs can tolerate concentrated
permethrin, but "it can be lethal to cats," says
Hansen. "Never use products on cats that are labeled for use
on dogs only."
If the label states that the product is for animals of a
certain age or older, don't use the product on pets that are
younger, says Stohlman. Flea combs, which can pick up fleas, flea
eggs, and ticks, may be useful on puppies and kittens that are
too young for flea and tick products.
Talk to your vet about the flea and tick product most
appropriate for your pet, Luddy advises. The product you use will
depend on your pet's health and age, whether your pet is a cat or
a dog, and whether it's an indoor or outdoor pet. Also check with
your vet to determine whether the Lyme vaccine is right for your
dog.
Rabbits, ferrets, and some other furry pets also can have flea
and tick infestations. Reptiles, such as snakes, can get
infections and anemia from tick bites. No flea or tick products
are marketed specifically for use in these animals. Ask your
veterinarian how to treat fleas and ticks in these and other
exotic pets.
Using Flea and Tick Products Safely
- Read the label carefully before use. If you don't
understand the wording, ask your veterinarian or call the
manufacturer.
- Follow directions exactly. If the product is for dogs,
don't use it on cats or other pets. If the label says use
weekly, don't use it daily. If the product is for the
house or yard, don't put it directly on your pet.
- After applying the product, wash your hands immediately
with soap and water. Use protective gloves if possible.
- If your pet shows symptoms of illness after treatment,
call your veterinarian. Symptoms of poisoning may include
poor appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, or
excessive salivation.
- Store products away from food and out of children's
reach.
For information on flea and tick treatments, visit the Dog/Pet Medications page.
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