by Dr. Peter Hill
13. June 2011 10:25
Fleas and ticks are external parasites that survive by feeding off of your cat, dog (or your) blood! The flea uses the dog or cat as it’s host to feed, breed, and lay eggs on the host, continuing the life cycle of the pest. Fleas also carry tapeworm eggs and when ingested by the host develop into an adult tapeworm potentially causing intestinal obstruction. Fleas also cause intense skin allergy and subsequent skin infection.
Ticks will latch on, feed then fall off, but not before potentially transmitting a list of blood borne diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These diseases cause a multitude of symptoms from chronic fever to severe anemia.
Heartworm is a bit different as it is contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The heartworm larvae are transmitted into the bloodstream and eventually find their way into the host’s heart. Once there, they breed and increase in numbers obstructing the heart chambers causing symptoms that mimic heart conditions, i.e., coughing, shortness of breath, etc..
It is IMPORTANT to test a dog before starting prevention for heartworm disease, as the medication could have dire consequences! The test is a simple blood test that can be done on an office visit. Heartworm prevention medication should be given either year round or Spring, Summer and Fall depending on which part of the country you reside in. Next blog I will discuss the different prevention options.
Copyright © 2004-2012 YourCity.MD LLC All Rights Reserved. The information on this Website is provided as a courtesy of YourCity.MD. This Website is designed as a resource portal for informational purposes only and does not contain any warranties. Reliance on any information found on or through this Website or links found on this Website is entirely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local Emergency number immediately. YourCity.MD and its affiliates are not responsible for the content found on any links contained herein and do not necessarily agree with any of their opinions.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES: YourCity.MD websites and this city website in particular may include or provide paid or other type web links to you that include facts, views, opinions and recommendations of individuals, organizations or companies. You understand and accept that YourCity.MD and this city in particular, and its affiliates, do not warranty or guarantee the accuracy of any such information in any form. You understand and accept that YourCity.MD and this city in particular neither provides health or medical advice, nor advocates or recommends the purchase of any product, service, health provider listed, linked to or advertised on YourCity.MD and this city site in particular.
LIMITS OF LIABILITY: You understand and accept that YourCity.MD and this city site in particular, Inc. and its affiliates shall not be liable to you or any associated party for damages or injury caused in whole or in part by negligence in producing and publishing this site or any information contained in this site or linked by or to this site.
Subscribe