Protect Your Pet from Disease Carrying Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes

Mosquito control, along with flea and tick control will help prevent your pet from becoming sick and even from death. These natural "pests" carry diseases that can be devastating to your pet. Most pet med merchants offer various treatments that can help your pet fight disease associated with insect bites. Most work by discouraging bugs from taking up residence on your pet in the first place. Examples of tick and flea products that help protect your pet include:

• Advantage
• Frontline
• Program
• Sentinel

All of these companies offer brand name products that help protect your pet from infestation.

Pet Treatments Available

Insect treatments range from flea collars to various shampoos and medications or ointments that can help control fleas and ticks. Frontline and Advantage flea control for example offer topical treatments that are effective for removing infestation. Flea collars and shampoo products alone have not proven to work well at controlling infestations. Topical and ingestible medicines work the best on dogs and cats. You may need to try a combination of treatments to see what works best for your pet.

If you live in a cooler climate you are lucky, you probably don't have nearly the trouble pet owners living in warmer climates do. This is because most insects including fleas and mosquitoes tend to hate cold whether. When the temperatures drop below freezing most of these pests die off.

West Nile and Heartworms

Mosquitoes are carriers of many nasty illnesses in both humans and pets. West Nile virus has become more rampant in recent years. This virus, carried by biting mosquitoes, can be deadly for your pet. Other diseases carried by mosquitoes that can affect your pet include heartworm - which if left untreated can also be deadly. Some animals even have allergic reactions to mosquito bites. Fortunately there are a variety of sprays you can use on your pets to help kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Some products act like DEET does on humans - only it is made specifically for animals. You can also help control mosquitoes by spraying your front and backyard with products designed to ward off mosquitoes. NEVER use an insecticide on your pet that is not specifically designed for pets. If your pet does shows signs of illness, be sure to check in with your veterinarian for extra advice and help treating your pet.

Understanding Fleas

Flea control is important for your pet's health and well-being. Fleas are the most common problem facing dog and cat owners. More than 2,000 various species of flea exist. Fleas actually have a comprehensive life cycle that includes an egg stage, larvae stage, cocoon stage and adult stage. During the egg stage female fleas lay their egg on your pet. They then transform into larvae, and may burrow into your carpets, pet's bed or skin. During the cocoon stage larvae transform into the adult flea. Once fleas turn into adults they'll find their host again (your pet) and restart the cycle. Pretty nasty stuff huh?

The good news is you can battle these pesky opponents rather easily. First you need to treat your pet with a good shampoo, topical ointment, collar or combination of therapies. Next you'll need to treat the surrounding area including your home. Why? Where one flea lives another is likely to be close by. Fortunately you can also beat these pesky critters using any number of household products designed to kill fleas and ticks. Flea carpet powders work very well for killing off entire populations of fleas and ticks.

This means you can't just kill the fleas on your pet. You should consider spraying an insecticide in your front and backyard, as well as any areas nearby your pet often travels. This will prevent your animal from getting re infected each time he or she ventures out.

Of course, your best step is early detection. While you can't entirely eliminate the risk of insect infestation, you can help clear out a problem quickly and prevent it from recurring in many cases. Keep a close eye on your beloved pet, and be sure you take prompt action at the first signs of infection. If you have more than one pet don't forget to treat all of your little darlings. What affects one is likely to affect others.

Published with permission (FCDMInc)

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