How to prevent and eliminate parasites in dogs and cats to avoid disease

Fleas and ticks don’t just draw blood from dogs and cats; they can also cause diseases that can be transmitted to people. Therefore, it is advisable to see a specialist if such parasites are detected in an animal to ensure that their removal is done properly. “If they are not removed correctly, the parasite’s head, like a tick’s head, could get stuck and cause diseases in both animals and people, including diseases like babesia or ehrlichia, which cause symptoms such as fever, chills or headache,” warns Ana Galán, an emergency veterinarian at the Ervet Hospital in Madrid, Spain.

Through bites, fleas cause a disease known as flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). “[FAD] consists of a skin reaction caused by the saliva of these parasites, which leads to a lot of itching. They also transmit intestinal parasites, such as Dipylidium and Bartonellosis,” the expert explains.

Eliminating these external parasites must be done correctly to avoid health complications in the animal. “It is important to consult a veterinarian to know what the right product is, because each case is different. For example, you cannot give a dog pipette to a cat, because it can poison or even kill [the feline],” Galán explains. In addition, she notes that “you cannot give a dog that weighs a few kilos the same pipette or pill as a heavier dog, since that can also poison the animal.”

When external parasites are detected in an animal, it is necessary to take adequate measures to disinfect the dog or cat, as well as the pet’s environment. “It is advisable to clean and fumigate the area. Mites survive between 24 and 36 hours, and fleas can survive away from the pet for six months; their larvae hide in carpets or cracks and are very resistant,” says Onintza Aguado, the technical director of the Montepríncipe Veterinary Clinic in Madrid. Eliminating the infestation from the home of an animal with a parasite must be done properly. “Long-lasting insecticides must be used to kill adult fleas; daily cleaning with a vacuum cleaner and applying a specific treatment [must be done] to stop the parasites’ development,” advises Aguado.

If you can’t get to a veterinarian quickly, you can start fighting the parasites at home. “Fleas can be removed manually with a nit comb, although it will be virtually impossible to eliminate them completely this way. It is important to have ticks removed by a professional, because the head can remain in the animal’s skin,” adds the specialist.

To prevent the presence of external parasites (fleas, ticks, lice and mites) in the first place, it is advisable to use specific products. “These are collars and pipettes. The former last between six and eight months and the latter last one month. The difference between the two products is that pipettes have a more immediate effect and also protect against phlebotomine sandflies, mosquitos that cause a serious disease called Leishmania,” Aguado continues.

Be especially cautious with cats

Felines are especially sensitive to the effects of anti-parasite treatments, and misusing them can even put cats’ lives at risk. “It is essential not to use a dog’s antiparasitic pipette on [cats], since its ingredients cause very serious irreversible neurological lesions, which often lead to death,” warns veterinarian Onintza Aguado. In the event that this is done by mistake, she notes that “it is essential to remove the product from the cat’s coat quickly with soap and water to eliminate the oily remains from the pipette liquid.”

Beyond pipettes and collars, there are new products that are particularly effective against external parasites in dogs and cats. “A few years ago, a molecule came onto the market that revolutionized the control and treatment of fleas, ticks and mites. These molecules are called isoxazolines, which are given orally in a tablet or topically with a pipette, and they last for 12 weeks, an extended period of time,” the veterinarian says. This treatment is unique in that “within eight hours of administering it, 99% of fleas are eliminated and within 12 hours, 100% of ticks are eliminated. This product is administered every three months, that is, four times a year.”

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