Today from Best for Pets we are going to give you some tips to combat parasites and keep them at bay, ensuring that your dog or cat does not suffer the inconvenience of these small and very annoying bugs.
With the arrival of spring, the trees bloom, the temperature rises and the days lengthen… Although it is good news for everyone that winter is coming to an end, with the arrival of spring unwanted parasites proliferate, which can be fleas, ticks and some microscopic spiders responsible for scabies.>
It is essential, for the well-being of our pets, to combat this type of natural attacks and thus ensure that our gifts stay healthy and happy.
What should we do?
We must establish an annual deworming plan, both internal and external, to protect them effectively, always using quality products and proven efficacy, and of course always advised by veterinarians. And it is smart to prevent infestations before they appear and for this it is necessary to apply this type of product in a preventive way.
There are a large number of antiparasitics for dogs and cats on the market, but… let’s review why parasite infestations are so dangerous for the health of our pets.
It is clear that the bites they produce are annoying and cause dermatological problems, but they also weaken our pets and transmit diseases that can be serious such as: Ehrlichiosis, an infectious disease transmitted to dogs and humans through tick bites.
Leishmaniosis, mainly affects dogs, this disease has no cure, there are treatments to reduce the symptoms, but the parasites remain in the animal’s body for life.
Feline infectious anemia is a parasitic disease transmitted by fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, although they can also be spread through bites or wounds between cats. If not treated in time by a vet, it can be fatal.
Allergic dermatitis (DAPP) is the most common condition caused by fleas. It causes alopecia, generalized itching, rashes, scabs, seborrhea, darkening of the skin in the affected areas, and sometimes pyoderma.
Dipylidiosis is caused by a small internal parasite and its first symptom is usually to see our pet rubbing its bottom on the ground, as it tries to alleviate the irritation caused by the parasites at the end of the intestine.
Filariasis (heartworms) This is a life-threatening disease that mostly affects dogs, but it can also occur in cats and other animals. It is caused by worms between 15 and 40 cm that lodge in the heart and pulmonary arteries of our pets, obstructing the large vessels that leave the heart and affecting the functioning of the heart valves. If left untreated it can cause death.
It seems clear that in addition to the obvious discomfort that our pet suffers due to the action of these “bad bugs” that feed on their blood, it must be taken into account that they are carriers of diseases, some of which can also affect humans. Therefore, it is essential to take action early to win this battle and avoid additional risks.
How to choose the best antiparasitic for my pet?
There are several factors to take into account, not all antiparasitics protect against all types of parasites, so we must combine those that protect our gifts both internally and externally.
The duration of the antiparasitic effect is also a factor to take into account and to make our task easier, at Best for Pets we recommend that you write down on the calendar when you applied it and, depending on its duration, when you should repeat the application .
The age and weight of your pet is also relevant and it is not usually recommended to apply it to puppies less than 7 weeks old or to cats less than 8-9 weeks old.
For the rest of the pets, it is only necessary to review the manufacturer’s package insert and administer the recommended dose according to their weight.
If you have doubts, your vet can advise you. It is important to bear in mind that, for pregnant or lactating dogs or cats, not all antiparasitics are suitable, therefore, consult your veterinarian before administering them.
And finally, we must take into account possible infestations throughout the year and keep our pets protected 365 days, but particularly in the hot months, particularly in Chile from September to April.
In a future article, we will review in detail the main antiparasitics available in our online store for pets and their main properties.
In the meantime, you can visit our sections on Antiparasitics for dogs and Antiparasitics for cats
We hope you found these tips useful and that you contact us if you need help or advice. We also invite you to share this article with a friend who may be interested in this information.