Flea and Tick Info
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| Ashley and Brutus |
Fleas
In Georgia, we have the perfect climate for fleas- a warm, dark, humid environment. It is difficult to control the flea life cycle. The adult flea that you see is only part of the problem. The environment (your carpet, the dog or cat's bed, the backyard ) contains microscopic flea eggs, larvae, and pupae (in addition to the adult flea); and this is the part of the flea cycle we may forget to combat.It is best to treat EVERY cat and dog in the household EVERY month with a veterinary product that will protect against adult fleas and prevent eggs and larvae from maturing into the pupae. It is also very important to identify "point sources" of infestation: remove organic debris outdoors and vacuum carpets regularly. Consider a professional service to treat your home and outdoors or use of an approved insect growth regulator premise spray, and wash pet bedding to decrease the likelihood of the pupae hatching into adult fleas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ijx-_zZ2s
As owners, we are part of the solution to the flea problem. To make your home as comfortable and flea free as possible, please ask us about the best plan of flea protection for your pet. Realize the answer is in prevention, and know that seeing a flea or two on your pet is not a tragedy, but an opportunity to discover where your prevention strategy might need a little enhancement.Ticks
Ticks have 8 legs... and are not considered insects like fleas, but arachnids, like spiders. Ticks are found in wooded areas, tall grass, and shrubs. They sit and wait for an acceptable host to come along- usually your dog or cat- at which point they attach with their "mouths" to the host's skin and feeds on blood.
These parasites are not only uncomfortable (and pretty gross), but can also transmit tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. There are several species that feed on dogs and cats, including the brown dog tick, deer tick, and the wood tick. If your pet is one whose environment is compatible with the tick lifestyle, it is important to discuss with us the best methods for prevention and control.
