By james art Flea bites can cause serious skin irritation to both pets and people, so it’s important to try to eliminate any infestations before they take root in your pets’ fur, according to vets – with advice issued from UK advice, vets and experts.
According to the PDSA and RSPCA, an increase in fleas has been noted – with many believing the problem to be a “summer problem” and not tackling the problem during the winter months.
However, pet experts said this was “far from the truth.
Here’s what the experts advise.
Increase in fleas from pets and pets in County Durham and the North East:
According to Weardale Vets in County Durham: “Fleas are small parasites that commonly infest homes by feeding on both pets and people. Despite their size, they have impressive abilities to survive and reproduce.
“Adult fleas lay their eggs on pets, knowing that the eggs will eventually fall into warm, cozy environments such as carpets, pet beds and furniture. Indoor heating accelerates the development of these eggs, making homes with central heating an ideal breeding ground for fleas.”
Vets added: “Fleas are more than a nuisance; their bites cause skin irritation and itching in pets. They can also transmit tapeworms to pets when ingested during grooming. In some cases, pets can have an allergic reaction to flea bites, which can cause severe itching, even from a single bite. Controlling flea infestations requires treating both the pet and the environment. . Within 24 hours, the product spreads over the skin, killing adult fleas and preventing the development of eggs, larvae and pupae.”
What about ticks?
Weardale Vets added: “Ticks, another type of parasitic pest, attach themselves to pets and feed on their blood. As they feed, ticks grow in size before dropping off to continue their life cycle. Pets often pick up ticks when they walk through long grass. Ticks can cause anemia in pets and also carry diseases such as Lyme disease.
“When removing ticks, it is important to contact a veterinarian to ensure that the tick is removed properly. If part of the tick remains, it can cause a skin reaction or abscess. Veterinarians may use special tools or sprays to remove or kill ticks. Tick tweezers can be purchased, but pet owners should seek proper guidance on their use to ensure safe and effective removal.”
What did the British experts say about it?
Jamie Walker, senior vet and technical services manager at global veterinary pharmaceutical company Dechra, explained: “Many owners see fleas as just a ‘summer thing’ and don’t treat their pet for them at this time of year.
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“Flea eggs can be brought into your home on the fur of your cat or dog and can then go unnoticed for some time.
“Fleas can not only irritate your pet, but they can also invade your house and make family members feel itchy as well.”
How can the council help?
Durham County Council has this advice on their website.
Our ability to effectively treat some pests may require you to take some action. This may include:
- moving or removing fixtures and fittings in your home or garden
- clearing all available junk
- decluttering your living space
- carrying out insulation works to prevent further access of pests to the property
- treatment of pets at the vet.
It added: “We will inform you of any such requirements, but you will need to carry out the work yourself or arrange for a tradesman to do it for you.
“If you do not follow our advice, we will still try to deal with your problem; however, we reserve the right to stop treatment if we believe that your failure to act will prevent treatment from being successful or significantly increase the cost of completing treatment.”