Parasite Prevention and Treatment
In Québec, ticks and fleas are the two main external parasites that infest our pets. These nasty critters can be harmful to both dogs and cats.
How are fleas treated?
There are two ways to treat parasites: medication or preventative products. Veterinary shops carry antiparasitics in different forms: squeeze-on products, treats, sprays, etc.
Fleas: Fleas are small parasites that bite your pet in order to feed off its blood. They can be found on dogs and cats, and they are a health risk to both species. A flea infestation can lead to itching, allergic reactions, the transmission of intestinal worms and anaemia.
Fleas reproduce quickly, so it’s important to act fast once you’ve detected them, as the situation can quickly become unmanageable. A female flea can lay up to 20 eggs per day!
How do you remove a tick?
There is a specific way to remove ticks from your pet. If a tick is not removed correctly, there is a greater risk of transmitting Lyme Disease. To remove it, take a pair of tick removal tweezers. (They have a flat surface and are designed not to crush the tick.) What you need to remember when pulling out a tick is not to crush it. You must also pull it out in one go, without tearing off the head.
Ticks: Ticks feed off animal blood, just like fleas. But unlike fleas, ticks bite. Ticks are bigger than fleas and generally visible to the naked eye. The biggest risk with ticks is Lyme disease, which they can carry and transmit.