Fleas and ticks can be problem for your pet, yourself and the home. These parasites look for a nice warm host to feed on and in some instances reproduce and multiply. A flea starts to breed in just 24 hours after settling in on your pet, laying as many as 28-50 eggs per day. The eggs develop into larvae, the pupa stage and then there are more adult fleas on your dog within just 14 days, causing anemia, hair loss, skin irritations and other problems. Before your pet is infested with any parasites, contact your local Rockford-area veterinarian as listed below or one that is closest to your home and get your pet on a preventative plan.
Fleas don’t only stay on your pet but can actually fall off onto the bedding, carpet, furniture and wherever your pet may lay and rest or play. Flea bites are very annoying and itchy for your pet, causing great discomfort. Ticks most often don’t fall off your dog but can definitely cause great discomfort as well and tend to carry diseases like Lyme disease.
The best you can do is put your pet on a preventative and also avoid areas with high pest’s infestation. When it comes to ticks, be extremely cautious in wooded areas and those with tall grasses. As the pet passes through, the tick can be carried onto the animal or even on your clothing as it looks for a place to feed. Fleas can also be in the tall grasses and can pass from one dog that is infested to another. Of course with the dog that is already protected, the parasite will be unable to feed and fall off or die.
If you spot even one flea on your pet, treat your pet immediately as well as your house and yard. Sometimes if it is only one flea, you can remove it and kill it although they are quite fast in movement. If the problem gets out of hand, it is very difficult to treat. You will need to wash the dog, bomb and vacuum the house, wash all the pet bedding and in a few weeks may have to do the whole process again when any other eggs have hatched. Continue the process until you are assured all adult and young fleas are eradicated from your home and pet. At this point, keep your pet on a preventative medication, especially if you live in an area with high infestations of parasites.
Some preventatives have multiple purposes for fleas, ticks and even heartworm prevention, a best option for the safety of your pet. Some of the safest and most effective products are K9 Advantix, Advantage, Frontline Plus, Revolution and for dogs, Flea4X. Your vet will advise you on the best preventative to use for your particular pet, which is the best option when dealing with nuisance parasites that can disrupt your animal’s health and well-being.
If you are seeking Veterinary assistance in the Rockford area, you can check out one of these at - Rockford Vet Clinics, Bellwood Vet, Rockford Veterinarians, Perryville Veterinarian , Cat Veterinarians Specialists
For all your pets needs and accessories in the Rockford area, go to your local PETCO - 6305 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108, (815) 229-0184 - Petco or your local PETSMART - 6320 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108, (815) 397-7880 - Petsmart -PETLAND, (815) 332-4200 - Petland
For many of your pet essentials, visit your local Rockford-area CVS pharmacies. There are four convenient locations - 3134 11th Street, Rockford, IL 61109, (815)398-0048 - 110 S Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61108 - 3718 Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, (815)877-9620 - 2454 S. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL 61108, (815)399-5421 - CVS Pharmacy
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