Protection of pets from unpleasant and unwanted parasites
Summer and warm weather means for people and their pets more and longer stays in nature and in the fresh air. This also means that pets can get ticks and fleas and other unpleasant parasites. Parasites are often carriers of dangerous diseases that can threaten the health of animals and people.
Fleas are small, dark-colored insects equipped with long and strong legs that enable great mobility. They live on the body of cats, dogs and other animals (mammals) and even humans. They feed on the blood of their own hosts. They cause itching, which causes dogs and cats to itch vigorously, making deep scratches and wounds on the skin. Flea bites can cause serious allergic reactions in sensitive animals. These insects can transmit Dipylidium caninum to the host (a type of worm that lives in the intestines and causes diarrhea, rapid weight loss or increased appetite of the animal). The presence of fleas is not difficult to spot. When the animal’s fur is opened, these parasites can be seen or their excrement (digested blood) is visible in the form of dark dust on the skin.
Ticks are tiny but very dangerous parasites that are dormant in the winter and become hungry and aggressive in the spring. When they reach the animal’s skin, they burrow their wings under the skin and feed on the animal’s blood. A tick bite causes a painful reaction, but due to the change of host, it can be a disease transmitter. For example, one of the diseases is “Lyme” which is dangerous for humans, and it is caused by the bacterium Borellia burgdorferi. This disease is transmitted by deer ticks. The disease is not easy to detect in the initial stage. It usually starts with redness around the bite site and continues with an elevated temperature. Weakness, joint disease, heart and respiratory disorders occur. Unfortunately, it can have a fatal outcome if it is not detected in time by a blood test. Piraplasmosis is the most dangerous disease that a tick can transmit to a dog (and it is caused by a microorganism that destroys red blood cells). Symptoms are apathy, temperature and dark colored urine.
If the owner notices that the dog or cat is constantly scratching or biting a certain part of the body or has sudden changes in behavior, then a medical examination/control is required.
The best way to protect pets during hot summer days is the regular and correct use of tick and fly repellants. There are a large number of different preparations on the market (shampoo, powder spray, necklaces, ampoules). Veterinarians advise (especially against flies) to spray the dog house or basket where the pet sleeps with the same preparation.