Love your pet ... love your vet - April 2010
Parasites… spring into action and pollen problems
The warmer months are peak season for parasites and two of the most annoying are fleas and ticks!
Fleas need little introduction to most pet owners! Adult fleas are 2-3mm in length and can be seen without magnification. These tiny wingless insects survive by feeding on your pet’s blood, as well as causing a multitude of problems including intense skin irritation, rashes, infection, hair loss and even anaemia and weakness. Fleas also play a major role in transmitting tapeworms in dogs and cats.
Adult female fleas can lay in excess of 50 eggs per day meaning even a brief infestation can result in thousands of eggs being produced. These fall off your pet and are deposited around your home in carpets and bedding where they can lie dormant for up to a year or more before developing into adult fleas.
Ticks tend to be a problem in the warmer months and commonly live in areas of heath land, moorland and woodland waiting to attach themselves to passing animals.
Ticks feed on your pet’s blood, often for several days and can cause problems in two ways – firstly they can cause a tissue reaction at their site of attachment and secondly they can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Babesiosis. Pet owners should ensure year round treatment of fleas and ticks.
Unfortunately, the warmer weather can also signal the start of the allergy season… pets can suffer too.
What are the signs? Whilst pets aren’t likely to sneeze when confronted with a garden full of flowers, they can suffer from skin irritation. Common signs of allergy include sore red itchy skin, hair loss and inflamed ears or feet.
Can allergies be cured? Unfortunately not, but they can be well managed by your vet. A simple blood test can reveal what your pet’s immune system is reacting to – it could be a tree, weed, flower pollen or combination of several allergens. The root cause of the problem is then tackled; whether that means changing your exercise route to avoid certain types of trees or keeping the lawn mown.
Another option is desensitisation vaccines which work by injecting a weakened diluted allergen under the skin so that the immune system becomes accustomed to it. If your pet is prone to itching or losing hair it could be an allergy.
Keith Moore BVSc MRCVS is a Veterinary Surgeon at Hillside Veterinary Centre in Corfe Mullen. For more information visit www.hillsidevets.co.uk.
Previous Articles :
- January 2012 - New Rules for the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
- December 2011 - Top ten tips for Christmas
- November 2011 - Remember, remember your pets this November
- October 2011 - Autumn aches: is your pet affected?
- September 2011 - Worms: a wriggly problem!
- August 2011 - Kennel cough – is your dog protected?
- July 2011 - Summertime: The heat is on!
- June 2011 - Pet passengers - are fleas and ticks an issue?
- May 2011 - Rabbit Awareness Week
- April 2011 - Eyes: taking the long view!
- March 2011 - Spring has sprung!
- February 2011 - Getting to the root of the problem!
- January 2011 - Pet Insurance - a really good idea!
- December 2010 - The big chill – a seasonal survival guide!
- November 2010 - Ticker trouble! Is my pet affected?
- October 2010 - Remember, remember your pets this November
- September 2010 - Autumn Alert!
- August 2010 - Thyroid disease – is your pet affected?
- July 2010 - It's official: Chips are good for pets!
- June 2010 - Beat the heat this summer!
- May 2010 - Wriggle your way out of this one!
- April 2010 - Parasites… spring into action and pollen problems
- March 2010 - Planning your trip abroad this summer?
- February 2010 - Meal deal – choosing the ideal diet!
- January 2010 - Winter Worries!
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