Dangers Posed from Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks can be a serious pain for animals and their owners alike. Aside from the fact that they bite and create a noticeably uncomfortable environment, they breed quickly and a small problem can quickly turn into an infestation. What’s worse is that fleas and ticks carry numerous diseases with them, and prolonged exposure to them can result in many other health issues and problems. It’s important to understand the dangers that fleas and ticks pose to animals.

About Fleas and Ticks – Fleas and Ticks are both external parasites that live by “hematophagy,” or by feeding off of blood. Ticks are from the arachnid family, like spiders, but fleas are from an animal order known as “Siphonaptera.” Both present significant health risks through prolonged exposure.

Ticks – Health Risks

-         - Ticks latch onto their victims and leech blood from them, sharing blood and saliva with the host.

-          -Once they have completely gorged themselves, they will either detach, wait to digest or die.

-          -Ticks potentially carry a plethora of dangerous diseases, including Lyme Disease, Tularemia, Rabies, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Typhus, Tetanus and more, that they can transfer through this cycle.

Fleas – Health Risks

-         - Flea bites leave a small bump similar to mosquito bites. Both humans and pets can possess allergies to these bites, with symptoms ranging from mild irritation to full-blown anaphylaxis.

-          -If your pet is allergic to the flea’s saliva, it will bite and scratch at the area. After a while, it can result in a condition called, “Flea Allergy Dermatitis.”

-          -Constant irritation and scratching may also result in inflamed and infected “hot spots,” which can be treated these with products such as our Ecto-Sooth 3X Strength Shampoo.

-        - Fleas that have been ingested may also transfer tapeworms to the host.

It’s important that, every year, you give your pets everything they need to be flea and tick free. This includes anti-flea and tick medication as well as shampoos and collars. Some exposure is unavoidable, which is why you should regularly take care of your furry companion, checking for bites and hangers-on. You can also make sure that you keep surfaces free of eggs and disease with a reliable disinfectant like Oxine AH.  Let us help you – we have a wide variety of solutions for flea and tick problems. Contact us today with any questions, comments, concerns or suggestions.