Aside from the annoying itch caused by biting and crawling fleas - tiny insects that will gladly take
up
residence in a pet owners' own bedding or carpet - health concerns such as tapeworms can
also
be attributed to these little bugs.
Fleas are an intermediate host for tapeworms. The cycle begins
when - during grooming or biting -
a pet
ingests a flea carrying tapeworms. The tapeworm matures within the pet, and as an adult releases
mature, egg-filled segments. The pet passes egg-filled tapeworm segments in its feces, and the
segments rupture, releasing eggs
that are eaten by flea larvae.
When the
fleas mature and select
a pet "host," the cycle begins
anew.
Skin irritation and allergies are also common
side-effects of flea infestation. Fleas are most prevalent during warmer months,
but in some climates may be present year-round.
Pest deterrent is the best method to combat fleas, but it is important to note that effectively eliminating fleas means eliminating the insect at all life stages. Simply getting rid of adult fleas will not have the same lasting effect as also killing flea eggs and larvae.
Whether the size of a pinhead or a dime, ticks are
bothersome pests that should not be ignored. Beyond
leaving bites that may become infected, ticks transmit diseases, including Lyme disease. Although there are about 200 species of ticks, black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks)
are most commonly associated with Lyme disease.
The bacteria that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) normally lives in small animals such as mice and squirrels, and is transmitted to domestic animals and humans through tick bites. Animals that have contracted Lyme disease may exhibit symptoms such as pain, lameness, fever and lymph node swelling in the affected limb. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Consistent pest management and promptly removing
any
ticks that do appear are keys to minimizing
the risk of tick-borne illness.
However, pet owners should exercise special caution when removing ticks, or seek assistance from a qualified veterinarian.
Improperly removing a tick may leave its head imbedded, increasing irritation and the
potential for infection.
While mosquito bites are aggravating to
humans, they can pose much more serious health threats to dogs and cats.
That's because mosquitoes transmit heartworms, a dangerous and potentially
life-threatening disease.
Just one bite
from an infected mosquito is all it
takes
to transmit heartworms, and
even indoor pets are at
risk from
the tiny female mosquitoes that
can slip
through cracks around doors, windows and screens.
A veterinarian-administered exam is the only way to
know for sure whether your pet has contracted
heartworms. Once you confirm a clean bill of
health, it's important to
keep your pet on
a
preventive program,
including
ongoing pest control.
Mosquitoes are also known vectors of West Nile virus. Although more common in humans and horses,
the disease also can infect dogs
and cats, resulting in swelling of
the brain and other
life-threatening symptoms.
Risk from mosquito-borne illness is highest during the warmer spring and summer months, but depending on your location and climate, mosquitoes may be present year-round.
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