Hot Tips for Keeping Fleas and Ticks Away

With summer here, your pet may be itching to go outside and enjoy the warm weather. Unfortunately, some unwanted pests may be lurking out there—those annoying fleas and ticks! These tiny little pests can cause big problems. Fleas and ticks can transmit diseases and other parasites not only to your pet but also to you and your family.

FLEA FUNDAMENTALS
Of the 200 species of fleas in North America, typically only one is responsible for flea problems in pets—the cat flea. Despite its name, this flea will gladly bite dogs as well as cats and sometimes even people, too, to get the blood it needs to survive.

Just one flea bite can result in serious skin problems in pets that are allergic to fleas (actually to flea saliva). They develop a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis (or FAD), which can cause a rash, inflammation, and hair loss. In dogs, FAD usually involves the areas around the rump, down the thighs, and around the stomach. In cats, the face, neck, and back areas are affected.

Even if you have a cat that never goes outside, he could still be at risk. As Dr. Jorge Guerrero, a noted parasitology expert at the University of Pennsylvania, explains, “Indoor-only cats can definitely get fleas, especially if they live in a household with dogs. The dogs may bring fleas into the home, and the fleas could easily infect the cat.”

THE DIRT ON FINDING FLEAS
If your dog or cat seems to be scratching more than usual, fleas are often the culprit. According to Dr. Guerrero, if you suspect a problem, you should first look carefully around your pet’s abdomen and top of his tail for dark flecks of flea feces (more commonly referred to as “flea dirt”) or for the fleas themselves. This search may not reveal anything, however. “Fleas are especially hard to find on cats, as they may groom many of the fleas off their body,” says Dr. Guerrero.

Another way to determine if your pet has fleas is to place a white towel (either cloth or paper) underneath your pet and then comb his fur using a flea comb. If specks that look like “black pepper” appear on the towel, chances are that it’s flea dirt. To be sure, spray water on the flea dirt. If the specks turn red, it is almost certainly due to the presence of digested blood in flea feces.

MORE THAN JUST A SCRATCH
In addition to making pets uncomfortable, fleas pose other health risks. Dr. Guerrero points out that fleas carry Bartonella henselae, the organism that causes cat scratch disease. Although cats do not get this infection themselves, they can transmit it to people through a bite or scratch. This illness causes swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and sometimes a fever in its human victims. New information has shown that ticks can also be involved in transmitting the disease. “The most effective means of preventing cat scratch disease is to keep cats free of flea and tick infestations,” he advises.

Fleas can also transmit tapeworms to both dogs and cats. Infected pets can develop diarrhea, weight loss, irritability, and other problems.

Severe flea infestations can cause a pet to lose a lot of blood. The pet becomes weakened, and the problem may be life threatening without proper intervention.

KEEPING THEM FLEA-FREE
Flea prevention and flea control products available from your veterinarian are your best line of defense against fleas. “Fleas are opportunists,” Dr. Guerrero says. “They’ll ‘hitch’ a ride whenever they can to get to a place where they are likely to find a host. The rule of thumb is to always treat all pets in the household, not just the ones that go outside.” If you have any exotic pets, such as birds, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs, talk to your veterinarian about control measures for them as well. “Prevention is key,” says Dr. Guerrero.

In the past, it was extremely difficult to rid both pets and homes of fleas. Owners had to use numerous shampoos, sprays, and powders on their pets. To get the fleas out of the carpet and furniture, they often had to use flea foggers, which meant having to pack up the pets and the family and leave the home while the fogger was in use. Today, however, there are many safe and effective products available that are easy to use.

Collars, sprays, topical treatments, and pills are available over-the-counter and from your veterinarian. Some products work much better than others, so you will need to talk to your veterinarian to discuss which products are best for your pet. Flea products in topical and pill form that are available from your veterinarian only have to be applied to your pet once a month to keep him flea-free all year long. However, it is important to remember that flea prevention is a year-round task in some areas—if you stop using preventive products, those pesky fleas will return. Some topical products need to be reapplied after bathing or swimming, so read the label directions carefully. Whatever product you and your veterinarian choose, it is imperative that you follow label directions exactly or it will be ineffective and can even harm your pet. Some flea products meant specifically for dogs should never be used on cats, and vice versa.

Obviously, it is better for both you and your pet if you engage in flea prevention as opposed to flea treatment. Your veterinarian can help you select a preventive program that works for both you and your pet.

TACKLING THE TICK ISSUE
There are over 80 species of ticks in the United States. Fortunately, not all of these are a problem for people and their pets. Ticks carry different diseases depending on what area of the country you live in. Therefore, it is a good idea to check with your veterinarian to find out which ticks are prevalent in your area so you can be better prepared.

Lyme disease has received the most attention in recent years. Although uncommon in cats, it is a serious problem in dogs, not to mention people.

In humans, Lyme disease often starts with a rash that looks like a bulls-eye. This telltale sign, however, rarely appears in dogs. According to Dr. Guerrero, affected dogs typically develop arthritic problems and, therefore, the first sign of trouble is often difficulty in walking. Other symptoms to look out for include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and joint swelling. Eventually, Dr. Guerrero explains, other organ systems such as the kidneys, heart, and nervous system may also be affected. “If left untreated, this disease results in chronic, progressive inflammation of the joints and other tissues,” he warns.

Unfortunately, there is no quick cure. As Dr. Guerrero says, “Antibiotic treatment may not entirely clear the infection, and relapses may occur.” Once they have been infected, many dogs require antibiotic treatment for the rest of their lives.

TICK TACTICS
Ticks thrive in moist, dark areas and in thick vegetation. They lie in wait on tall blades of grass or trees and attach themselves to a target (human or animal) as it walks by.

Ticks like to feed around an animal’s head and ears as well as in folds of skin (including the area between the toes). The longer a tick feeds, the greater the chance that it will transmit any diseases it is carrying. Finding and removing a tick within 12 to 24 hours after it has begun feeding will reduce the chance of passing on infectious disease.

STOPPING TICKS IN THEIR TRACKS
Prevention is always the best approach to protect your pet from ticks. If you live in an area known to have ticks, keep your lawn mowed and vegetation neatly cut back. You should also try to keep your pet out of underbrush when he is out walking. If your pet does go into a wooded area, be sure to check for ticks upon his return. Keep in mind that the tiny deer tick, which transmits Lyme disease, is about the size of the head of a pin, so you will need to examine your pet’s entire body very carefully. It is a good idea to groom your pet to check for ticks on a regular basis. Because ticks can easily transfer themselves from your pet onto you, you should check yourself for ticks as well. If you see a tick, don’t panic— remove it immediately (see “How to Remove a Tick” on this page).

Dr. Guerrero highly recommends vaccinating dogs against Lyme disease in areas where it is a problem. He also advocates the use of an effective tick control agent available from your veterinarian. Some newer products even combine tick and flea prevention. Again, talk to your veterinarian on which products are best suited for your pet. Together, you can develop a program that will keep you and your pet smiling in the summer sunshine.

RIDDING YOUR HOUSE OF FLEAS
If you haven’t started a flea prevention program and see fleas in your home, here are some steps you can take to rid your house of fleas. Once you eliminate these pests, begin a consistent preventive program with the help of your veterinarian and your home will remain free of fleas.

• Wash your pet’s bedding every week. Also make sure you wash your pet’s favorite rugs, towels, and cloth toys.
• Groom your pet daily with a fine-toothed comb.
• Frequently vacuum areas where your pet has been.
• Talk to your veterinarian about the need for environmental treatment.
• Be sure your control program includes all pets in your household.

HOW TO REMOVE A TICK

• Don’t touch the tick with your fingers.
• Using a pair of tweezers, grasp the body of the tick and then pull slowly.
• Once the tick is out, check to make sure that the head of the tick has been removed. If it looks like there are “black lines” in your pet’s skin, the head is probably still there. If your pet is cooperative, you can try to tweeze it out. If not, you will need to have your veterinarian remove it. You should make sure the head is removed because it can lead to an infection or abscess.
• Once you have removed the tick, drop it in alcohol to kill it or place it in a sealed container or small plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash.
• If you are unsure about how to properly remove a tick from you or your pet, contact your veterinarian.