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Fleas and ticks are more than just nuisances to cats and dogs, they can pose serious health risks – more on this below. Fortunately, the regular use of preventative products and daily pet checks can minimise the impacts of fleas and ticks on your pet.
Fleas are more than just an annoyance for cats and dogs – they can cause skin disease and spread infectious or parasitic conditions, some of which can affect humans. In some dogs, fleas trigger flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), an intensely itchy skin condition that can lead to hair loss and infections. Even a few fleas can cause severe irritation in affected dogs, making year-round flea control essential. Pets usually pick up fleas from their environment, rather than direct contact with other animals, and spotting them isn’t always easy. The regular and ongoing application of flea prevention products, is crucial for keeping your pet comfortable and your home flea-free.
The Paralysis Tick (Ixodesholocyclus) is one of the most dangerous parasites that can affect your pet. The signs of tick paralysis can vary, but often start with weakness or unsteadiness in the hind legs, which may progress to the front legs. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, rapid or laboured respiration, loss of appetite, vomiting, retching, coughing and/or a change in bark. Brown dog ticks and bush ticks do not cause tick paralysis, but they can cause skin irritation and also transmit other important diseases. The regular and ongoing application of tick prevention products – as well as daily checks by owners – is essential for all cats and dogs living in and around Cairns and North Queensland.
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