We all know that it's important to protect our pets against ticks and fleas, but not many of us are aware of the consequences if we don't, or why it's so important to do so every month and not only in certain seasons.
We asked our vet here at Absolute Pets, Dr Candice Cooper, to explain a little more about the consequences of ticks and fleas. Here are a few informative points that highlight the dangers of tick and flea bites.
How are flea bites harmful?
Flea bites can lead to:
- Allergy Dermatitis: just one flea bite can cause flea allergy dermatitis which results in a very itchy pet. This can lead to the breakdown of the skin barrier and secondary infections.
- Tapeworm: most people don’t realise that fleas can also transmit tapeworm, which in turn can spread to humans too. Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs and if your pet has fleas and tries to bite the itchy area where the fleas are, they can end up swallowing the flea and then get worms.
How long can one flea bite itch for?
Depending on how sensitive your pet is, one flea bite can itch for minutes or, if your pet has a flea allergy, for days. All the scratching can result in secondary infections which can also cause months of discomfort for your pet.
How are tick bites harmful?
Ticks can be nasty. The reality is they can transmit blood borne parasites and these cause conditions which are sometimes fatal. These include:
- Babesiosis (otherwise known as tick bite fever): this can affect both cats and dogs. It breaks down the red blood cells and can be fatal.
- Ehrlichiosis (canine pancytopenia): this can affect dogs. It causes problems with all blood cells and can be fatal.
- Mycoplasma (feline infectious anaemia): this can affect cats. It causes the destruction of red blood cells and causes fever and a severe lack of appetite.
- Tick bites can also cause abscesses.
How to prevent tick and flea bites:
The good news is that the consequences of tick and flea bites can be easily prevented by using a recommended tick and flea control treatment all year round.
If you are using tick control products, you shouldn’t have to remove any ticks as they either die before attaching to your pet's skin, or soon after and just fall off on their own. However, if you do spot a tick that is attached, grasp it at the base of the head and pull firmly in the direction of the tick’s body. It is very important to remove the head during this motion otherwise it can cause an abscess.
Recommended tick and flea products
There are some great products on the market which can protect your pets from ticks and fleas all year round. Here are our product recommendations:
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Cat or dog
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Product recommendation
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How often
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Benefits
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Cat + Dog
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Revolution
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Monthly
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Just one dose a month applied at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades, for protection against fleas, heartworms and other parasites. No pills. No sticky sprays.
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Dog
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NexGard
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Monthly
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Comes as a tasty chew. Fast-acting formulation which is safe and effective for 30 days.
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Cat + Dog
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Frontline Plus
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Monthly
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Fast-acting, long-lasting, waterproof, easy to apply (to the base of the neck) and assists in the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD).
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Dog
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Bravecto
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3 months
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One tasty chew with 12 weeks of flea and tick prevention. Safe for use in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs. Aids in the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD).
Note: For use in dogs from 8 weeks of age only.
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Cat +Dog
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Seresto
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Every 8 months
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Seresto® is a new treatment collar that offers combined tick and flea protection for dogs and cats for up to 8 months, with a single application. This means that you don’t have to worry about reapplication every month, while your pet enjoys continuous protection.
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Protecting your pets from ticks and fleas really is super easy and we encourage you to maintain your pets treatment all year round. To help you keep track you can use our handy Routine Care Guide.
You can also order all treatments online and we will deliver them to your door, anywhere in South Africa. Alternatively, visit your nearest Absolute Pets store.