Dogs and cats are faithful and essential companions for many Italian families, there is no doubt about it. In the same way, it is beyond doubt that anyone who has a furry friend will pay special care and attention to them (except in extreme cases that we will not talk about). A corner of the medicine cabinet is reserved for the needs of household pets, and no doubt, with the arrival of summer, pesticides reign supreme. Protecting our friends from their attacks is a priority, but let’s try to understand how to act in the best way. That is why it is necessary to take a short tour and delve into the subject now that with the heat these parasites come out of hibernation and return to the attack. Curious to know more? Let’s get started!
Ticks and fleas: but what exactly are they?
Ticks are mites belonging to the arachnid family, that is, spiders, but it is “only” the female that feeds on human and animal blood, adhering to the skin for the time necessary for food. Once swollen with fluid, it moves away. All of this happens without any pain on the part of the unsuspecting victim, but not without serious consequences. In fact, they transmit protozoa that transmit diseases such as rickettsiosis or button fever, such as piroplasmosis or babesiosis, Lyme disease or borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, Q fever, encephalitis or TBE. Since the time the tick remains on its prey can vary from 12 hours to a whole week, it is important to act immediately to eradicate it, without incurring often fatal consequences. To identify them, you will simply have to feel the throat, armpits and linguine of your furry friend. Then check your lips, cheeks, eyelids, and forehead. These are the areas most avid for parasites. Fleas, on the other hand, are real insects of microscopic dimensions (maximum 1.5 mm in length); Also in this case it is the female who is really responsible for the attack. In fact, it is she who lays 15 to 20 eggs a day directly on the fur of animals (or on the feathers of birds). Hatching occurs within 14 days and immediately the larvae begin to feed on the inhabited epithelial surface, transmitting infections such as: rickettsiosis and salmonellosis. They also cause a lot of discomfort due to their bites: the affected areas may develop dermatitis. In addition, dogs and cats often injure themselves by scratching vigorously to relieve itching. How can we avoid all this?
Dogs and cats: let’s protect them from tick and flea attacks
Protecting our furry friends from the attack of fleas and ticks is now simple: there are special collars on the market to protect against parasites and drops that are inserted into the intrascapular area to eradicate their presence. They can be chemical or natural, such as Neem oil that acts as a barrier against aggression itself, almost as if it were a kind of protective shield. In addition, even shampoos specifically designed to eliminate the massive presence can be useful in the first instance, as soon as the presence of insects is discovered. However, check with your vet to find out which product is best for your pet – what’s perfect for a dog could be harmful to cats or rabbits. As for ticks, however, you must equip yourself with a special tool to eliminate them individually: specific tweezers with which to rotate the arachnid to separate its 8 legs and the tribune (the head). Disinfect the wound immediately to avoid any type of infection and carefully check the area in the following days.
