Thursday, April 19, 2012
1:01 PM

Flea And Tick Prevention

A person can examine their pet at home to determine if there is a need for flea and tick prevention. However, it is important to follow application directions of a product closely to avoid accidental poisoning of the pet. It may also be necessary to treat the yard and home if the pets stay outdoors most of the time. Here are some guidelines to help any pet owner with this common issue.
Use bath time to find ticks. The water on their coat makes it tough for the ticks to hide. Another way to find the pest is to examine their entire body with your hands. This can be done while petting them. However, be certain to examine the entire body and include their ears. You may have to also separate their fur in order to find any ticks that have burrowed more deeply.
Fleas are just as easy to find. Simply use a flea comb on their coat and examine closely. Even if you do not find any fleas but think there may be a problem, you can still treat them for it. However, it they continue to scratch, have hair loss, or scabs on their skin, have your veterinarian test them for mites or bacterial diseases.
Most prevention options will need to be repeated for continued control. Topical treatments are most often applied to the back of the neck to prevent dogs or cats from licking it off. Shampoos are best to use when a young animal has a severe infestation. There are also oral products that work well.
It is vital to use caution when ever using one of the flea and tick prevention products. Pets can sometimes have a reaction to the toxins used or they are sometimes accidentally poisoned. If they develop ear twitching, mild depression, diarrhea, vomiting or excessive salivation, contact your veterinarian immediately.
To prevent accidental poisoning, it is vital to follow the products directions closely. If using a spray, first apply to a grooming brush then evenly brush through the animal's coat. Use caution to not accidentally spray any product into the animal's mouth. If the product is in liquid form, do not submerge the animal into the liquid. Instead, pour it over their body and use a sponge to cover all areas.
You will probably have to also treat your entire yard if your pet stays outdoors most of the time. It is important to use a product regularly for flea and tick prevention. It will kill the larvae and eggs of the pest and hinder their return.

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