Parasites
April 27, 2020
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Parasites Parasites are not just annoying and unpleasant, they can be dangerous both to our pets and ourselves, transmitting all sorts of diseases.
Fleas
Dr Helen Perryman MRCVS
Fleas are unpleasant and can transmit disease to both pets and people
Fleas are everywhere and are not fussy about where they live. The cat flea is the most common flea found on our pets and it loves our centrally heated homes. Adult fleas suck blood and heavy infestations can cause severe anaemia in young puppies and kittens which can even be fatal.
Fleas also transmit other parasites such as tapeworm, and other diseases such as Bartonella, which can also cause disease in people (known as ‘Cat scratch disease’), and myxomatosis which can be fatal to rabbits. Fleas can also cause severe allergic reactions in some animals.
Only 5% of the flea population lives on animals, the rest is in the environment. This means that treating a flea infestation involves treating both pets and house. It takes AT LEAST 3 months to get rid of a flea infestation, often much longer. Preventing fleas in the first place is much, much easier.
All pets, even indoor-only pets, are at risk of fleas as we can bring fleas and their eggs in from outside.
Prevention is much easier than clearing a flea infestation
There are lots of different products on the market to prevent and treat fleas, however they are not all the same. Over-the-counter products from the supermarket or pet shop, whether tablets, spot-ons, collars or shampoos, are rarely effective.
If you would like a personalised parasite risk assessment for your pet, please fill in the relevant questionnaire below. This service costs £15, or is included in all wellbeing visit costs. Once your questionnaire has been submitted, we will email you a link for payment. Once payment is received, we will email your pet’s personalised advice within 2 working days.
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Rabbit
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