Fleas and Ticks
As pet owners, we all want our furry friends to be healthy and happy. Unfortunately, flea and tick season can put a damper on our pets’ well-being. Fleas and ticks are not only annoying, but they can also cause serious health problems for our pets. Here’s everything you need to know about flea and tick season, including symptoms, treatment, and preventative measures.
Flea and tick season usually starts in the spring and lasts through the fall. During this time, fleas and ticks are more active and can easily latch onto our pets as they spend more time outside. These parasites are not only uncomfortable for our pets, but they can also transmit diseases and cause other health problems.
Symptoms To Watch Out For
Fleas and ticks can cause a range of symptoms in dogs and cats. The most common symptom is itching and scratching, as these parasites can cause skin irritation and inflammation. Here is a more exhaustive list of symptoms to watch out for:
● Red, irritated skin
● Hair loss or bald spots
● Bumps or scabs on the skin
● Lethargy or loss of appetite
● Pale gums
● Swollen lymph nodes
● Fever
If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, it’s important to take action right away to prevent the infestation from spreading.
Treatment Options
If your pet has been infested with fleas or ticks, there are a variety of home treatment options available. Our Snohomish and Monroe locations both offer treatments such as flea collars, shampoos, topical solutions and even an oral solution designed to treat these problems. Here are a few of our most popular options!
Dogs
● Advantage - One of the most reputable brands, this is a great topical treatment that is effective for a long period of time and kills fleas and lice on contact. Uses the effective active ingredient called Imidacloprid.
● Advantix - Made by Advantage but includes active ingredients which allow it to be effective for ticks as well as fleas and lice.
● Adventure Plus - A non “name brand” version of Advantage. Exact same type and ratio of active ingredients to Advantage without the high dollar price. A great economical option.
● Frontline - Frontline is a well known brand that provides a great Topical Treatment to fleas and lice. It uses different active ingredients than Advantage called fipronil that also kills on contact.
● Capstar - Capstar is the only oral option we carry but is highly effective. This option is excellent for treating an outbreak quickly. Oral medication has minimal longevity effect and requires the insects to bite the animal to work.
● Adams Plus Flea Collar - The collar is a great option for continued prevention during flea season. The slow release plastic technology lets the medication be released over time as it contacts the animal's coat. This is a Topical Flea treatment that will kill them on contact.
● Zodiac Shampoo - This Shampoo has many natural oils to soothe and bring relief as well as medicated active ingredients to effectively treat and kill insects.
● Equis Shampoo - Uses natural ingredients to treat and repel fleas and other insects quickly and effectively. Lathers well and can suffocate insects during wash. A great option to accompany a topical medication.
Cats
● Advantage - One of the most reputable brands, this is a great topical treatment that is effective for a long period of time and kills fleas and lice on contact. Uses the effective active ingredient called Imidacloprid. This is very similar to their dog treatment product but has an altered dosage level of medication that is safe for the cat.
● Adventure Plus - A non name brand version of Advantage. Exact same type and ratio of active ingredients to Advantage without the high dollar price. A great economical option.
● Frontline - Frontline is a well known brand that provides a great Topical Treatment to fleas and lice using different active ingredients than Advantage called fipronil that also kills on contact.
● Adams Flea Collar - The collar is a great option for continued prevention during flea season. The slow release plastic technology lets the medication be released over time as it contacts the animal's coat.
● Zodiac Shampoo - This Shampoo has many natural oils to soothe and bring relief as well as medicated active ingredients to effectively treat and kill insects.
We carry a large variety of very effective products that are readily available and affordable too!
One thing that is often overlooked while dealing with this problem is treating the pets common area for fleas and ticks. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. The majority of these fleas eggs fall off the animal's coat as it moves. Once the eggs hatch the fleas hide typically in the corners and dark spaces while waiting for a life source to attach to. Treating just the fleas on the dog could only be the tip of the iceberg and it will make your ability to resolve the problem a long and frustrating endeavor. Using some of the following products will help resolve this quickly and safely.
We have a couple of upholstery sprays made to spray inside on and around your furniture.
● Zodiac Carpet and Upholstery Spray- This Zodiac spray is in aerosol form and effectively kills adult fleas as well as prevents stage advancement in eggs. This spray is safe for indoor use.
● No Bite Carpet and Upholstery Spray - Great spray for inside use to treat dog bed and furniture during an infestation.
● Fogger - A traditional treatment to effectively eliminate all fleas in a designated area. Not as safe for pets or humans but one of the most effective options.
We also carry some sprays that would be very effective to treat the outdoor area you dog frequents or if you have an outdoor kennel.
We also have a variety of products that will help mitigate itching, promote healing, and soothe discomfort. Here are some great products that we highly recommend to go along with the topicals while you are treating your animal to mitigate the discomfort and damage from these insects:
● Flea Comb - Effective for removal of insects
● Sulfodene - Medicated itch relief spray
● Vetericyn - An excellent natural wound care that is highly recommended by vets will help bites, rashes, or raw skin heal up quickly.
● Omega Chews - A great option to help your pets skin and coat heal and improve in the midst of an infestation.
Preventative Measures
The best way to protect your pets from fleas and ticks is to take preventative measures. Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe and healthy:
● If your pets do go outside, make sure they are supervised and don’t wander into areas with tall grass or wooded areas.
● Keep your yard trimmed and free of debris to discourage ticks from setting up shop. You can also use chemical treatments to kill ticks in your yard.
● Check your pets for fleas and ticks regularly, especially after they’ve been outside. Use a fine-toothed flea comb to comb through your pet’s fur and look for signs of parasites.
● Bathe your pets regularly to keep their skin and fur clean and healthy. Use a pet-safe shampoo and make sure to rinse thoroughly.
Engage in Some Fun
While dealing with fleas and ticks may not seem like the most fun activity, there are ways to make it more enjoyable for you and your pets. Try making a game out of checking your pet for fleas and ticks. Reward them with treats and praise for standing still while you check them over. You can also make bath time more enjoyable for your pet by playing some soothing music or giving them a special treat after their bath.
Health Tip
Fleas and Lice and Ticks are often carriers for other parasites like worms. If you are aware of any type of infestation, you should also be deworming your pet, as it is more than likely they will have contracted worms. We carry a variety of worming options at both of our stores to solve this problem for you and your pet safely and easily!
While with any type of situation or concern going to a vet is an option and advisable, here at the Coop we want to help set you and your animals up for success too in any way we can. Come on in and talk with our friendly staff. We will help guide toward a solution that will work for you.
We’ll see you at the Coop!
