As pet owners, we are fully aware that ticks, fleas and worms are bad for our pets. Not only are they irritating, but they can also cause health problems – for us and for our pets. Here is a rundown of what could happen if we don’t treat our pets against these nasty parasites.
Ticks
Contraction method Ticks are mostly found in tall grass and, therefore, it is important to keep the grass in your immediate environment short. Ticks may climb or drop onto you or your pet when you pass by. They will then quickly move to a spot where they can’t be easily detected. Always check your pet and yourself thoroughly for any ticks after a walk in potentially tick-infested areas.
Health risks Ticks can carry a variety of parasites, viruses and bacteria. Both humans and animals can get tick bite fever, caused by a single tick, which can be fatal if it is not treated. Moreover, it is strongly recommended that tick bite fever in animals should be treated by a veterinarian, as home remedies can sometimes do more harm than good.
Fleas
Contraction method Flea infestation can occur just about anywhere – from other infected animals or from households and grass. Fleas can easily jump 20cm far and, once on their hosts, will lay eggs. A single flea can lay anywhere between 20 and 50 eggs a day. These eggs are tiny, so you might not even see them with the naked eye. But they can infest their immediate environment in a short period of time.
Health risks Pets can suffer from allergy dermatitis from the actual flea bite, and they can also contract tapeworm and other diseases such as cat scratch diseases, haemoplasmosis and Rickettsia felis. The plague is another terrifying disease that is spread by flea-infested rodents. It is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted to humans through animals. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, plague outbreaks are still prevalent in parts of Africa and Madagascar.
Worms
Contraction method Fleas are a big culprit when it comes to the spread of intestinal worms in animals. Cats and dogs can also contract worms if they consume worm eggs from contaminated soil and faeces in the environment. An infested mother can also transmit worms to her babies. Worms can also be transmitted when an animal eats raw meat.
Health risks Worms can cause a variety of health problems, anaemia, intestinal obstruction and can even be fatal. A once-off deworming treatment is not sufficient to clear an infestation, as the medication only anaesthetises the worm, so that it lets go of its grip on the host’s intestine and passes out with the stool. Once it has been passed, it will die. But the larvae that are still migrating to the intestine are not affected and will replace the old worms. That’s why it is so important to follow up with deworming treatments every three months, or according to the packaging of the treatment.
Spirocerca lupi
Contraction method This parasite is spread through dung beetles. Birds, lizards and other animals eat the infected beetles. If pets eat the infected birds or lizards, they then get infected with Spirocerca lupi.
Health risks This parasite is also known as a ‘silent killer’. Once ingested, the larvae will eventually form nodules in the pet’s lower oesophagus. These nodules can be very dangerous and could even be fatal if left untreated. Therefore, it is extremely important to deworm your pet regularly and remove any faeces as soon as possible. And don’t allow your pet to eat birds, rodents or lizards.
Prevention is key
With so many preventative treatments available on the market, there is no excuse to let your pet suffer because of any of these parasites. Not only do the parasites inconvenience your pet and contaminate his environment, but they are also a potential health risk to both you and your pet.
Ask your veterinarian for advice on choosing the ideal product for your pet. Remember never to use products intended for dogs, on cats. Cats groom themselves and will ingest the treatment, which could cause a severe reaction. Do the responsible thing and use the right preventative treatments on your pets.
