BY Dr. AMY STARR
PAWS N’ HOOVES MOBILE VET SVC / MESA VET CLINIC / SAN FRANCISCO STABLES
May is Flea and Tick Awareness Month!!! Fleas and ticks are not only annoying, but can also be deadly! Our dedication in our clinics is to educate pet owners to better protect their pets against problems like these! (Like our Facebook page and tune into my weekly video tips!) Fleas and ticks are annoying, pesky bugs that disgust us. But for our furry family, they can be deadly. Both of these insects can pass dangerous diseases to our pets. Even ONE bug can cause major problems for your pets, so please educate yourself to the dangers, and PREVENT these problems in your critters!
Fleas:
Can be extremely allergy-causing, and irritating to the skin. Many animals are severely allergic to even one flea. The skin can become reddened, irritated and smelly.
Can be found inside the house year round, therefore it is not just a summer problem.
Can cause severe anemia in very small animals like tiny kittens and puppies.
Can transmit Plague to pets and humans. (Plague is a deadly disease that can infect humans).
Ticks:
Can attach and suck blood (and cause anemia) in all animals including dogs, cats, horses, and humans.
Found mostly in the summer in areas with grass and trees.
Can transmit diseases like Ehrlichia and Lyme. We recently had three severe cases in our clinic in which the pets almost died. Owners had to spend hundred of dollars to save their pets, whereas it only cost a fraction of that the prevent these diseases.
Both of these insects and their diseases can be easily prevented with the correct products. By purchasing these products through your vet clinic, you also purchase a guarantee that if you continue to have problems on your pets, the manufacturer will pay for your pet and household to be completely cleared. If you have questions, please ask one of our technicians for more education!