Dogs and cats often get infested with fleas through contact with other animals or contact with fleas in their environment.

The strong back legs of this insect enable it to jump from host to host or from the environment onto the host.

The flea’s bite can cause itching for the host but for a sensitive or flea-allergic animal, this itching can be quite severe and can lead to hair loss, inflammation, and secondary skin infections. Some pets, which are hypersensitive to the flea's saliva, will itch all over from the bite of even a single flea.

The presence of fleas can be combated with “Spot-on” treatments, which must be applied to a thoroughly clean and dry coat (after being washed with an insecticidal shampoo).

Fleas and their larvae can survive all year long so monthly treatment is highly recommended.

It is essential to regularly apply worm and flea treatment to your pet. Virtually all puppies and kittens have worms and if left untreated they can put the animal’s health at risk and can also be passed on to humans. Worm treatment comes in suspension (liquid) and tablet form.

Types Of Parasites To Look Out For

Lungworms

Lungworms are parasitic worms (nematodes) that settle in the lungs and windpipe and can cause severe respiratory problems.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms typically settle in the small intestine. Treatment to destroy tapeworms is critical to avoid transmission to humans and to avert damage to the dog's body.

Hookworms

Hookworms are small, thin worms about a half-inch long. They fasten their mouthparts onto the mucosa of the small intestines and suck blood and tissue fluids from the host. This can result in severe blood loss and malnutrition.

Roundworms

Roundworms, also known as ascarids, are parasites that live inside and feed off an animal’s intestines.

They’re usually white or light brown and a few inches long with a spaghetti-like appearance. If your dog has roundworms, you may notice them in his poop or vomit.

When receiving a puppy from a breeder, you should worm the dog immediately unless the breeder can provide the exact date of the last treatment.

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How frequently Should Pets Be Wormed Regularly And Cheked For Parasites?

• Up to 4 months of age: Every 2 weeks
• Up to 6 months of age: Monthly
• After 6 months of age: Every 3 months for the remainder of the animals' life.

If you suspect that your pet may have fleas, you can test this by thoroughly running a flea comb through your pet’s coat. You can also apply damp cotton wool against your animals' skin. If dark brown blotches appear on the wool, this is flea dirt (flea fecal matter) and means that your pet has fleas.

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Parasite Fleas Can Be Found In A Multitude Of Forms

• Fully grown fleas
• Flea eggs
• Larvae
• Pupae

The fleas that are on our animals’ coats, only account for 5% of the flea population living near our pets. The remainder can be found in places such as dog beds, furniture, and the floor so the environment of the pet must be treated with insecticidal spray to combat the fleas.
To prevent the occurrence of fleas in your pet, it is highly recommended to apply a product such as “Spot-on” once a month on your cat or dog. It should be applied between the shoulder blades, especially in spring and summertime.

It is also important to keep lawns mowed and maintained to help reduce your pet's chances of becoming infested with fleas

If you have more questions, reach out to our nearest petworld store or call us now