The life cycle of the flea
Two types of fleas infect our pets. We distinguish between the dog flea (Ctenocephalides Canis) and the cat flea (Ctenocephalides Felis). The most common flea (on both dogs and cats!) is the cat flea.
After a female flea has taken a blood meal from its host, it will lay eggs. These eggs (dozens of them) fall out of the fur and end up in your home. After 2 to 4 days, larvae emerge from the eggs. These crawl into corners of your home and feed on the feces of adult fleas. After a few weeks, the larvae pupate. The pupae hatch later under the influence of vibration (up to 1,5 years later!).
So when you or we find one or more fleas on your pet, there is a good chance that there are many more (potential) fleas in the immediate vicinity of the animal. So it is literally the tip of the iceberg what you find on your dog/cat.
Why prevent?
The main complaint that owners come with when they have a flea infestation is itching complaintsThe bits in the skin of the dog or cat cause itching and irritation.
In addition to itching, fleas can also carry tapeworm eggs. When a dog or cat licks an infected flea, this can lead to a tapeworm infection. Children can also become infected with a tapeworm in this way.
Some animals become hypersensitive to the saliva of the flea. This results in a flea allergy can occur. Animals with this condition bite themselves open (even to the point of bleeding!). A single bite from a flea can be enough.
Flea control
After reading the above, you will understand that good flea control is important. Within our practice, we have a wide range of modern and safe means to protect your pet against these annoying creatures. We have both pipettes, bands, sprays and pills to administer. Come to one of our branches for advice tailored to your pet and situation.
Are you interested and would you like to read more about the risks? Then visit this website.
Ticks
Ticks are small blood-sucking parasites that look like spiders. Because they can not only suck blood but also inject blood, they can transmit various diseases to both humans and animals. Lyme disease and babesiosis are two diseases that are becoming more common due to changing temperatures and a higher infection rate of ticks.
Worms in cats
The most common worms in cats are roundworms and tapeworms. Both worms live in the gastrointestinal tract. Most cats do not show symptoms of an infection. However, they do show symptoms in a severe worm infection, which can lead to weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea, irritation around the anus and growth retardation, especially in young kittens.
Tapeworms
The same applies to cats as to dogs, cats can become infected by licking fleas or lice, or by eating mice or rats. In the image below you see a cat that is infected with tapeworm, you see a segment (part of the tapeworm) coming out of the cat's anus. More information can be found under the heading internal and external parasites dog.
Roundworms
On the following site you can find a lot about worms, in this video you will be well informed.
https://www.licg.nl/katten/ontwormen-van-uw-kat/#video-100-seconden-dierenarts-over-rondworm
For information about the deworming schedule, you can always ask one of our assistants for advice, we will gladly tell you more about it. You can also contact us for the best advice on which remedy you can best use.
