Jan 16 2008
Get Rid of Those Bloodsuckers!
My pug, Rama, is scratching like mad and literally running in circles to catch his tail. When I inspected the tail, I saw tiny insects embedded on the skin. The poor dog is infested with tick and flea. Rama must have acquired the parasites from the trips to the park where he plays with other dogs and loves to roll on the grass. Ticks and fleas, if not on an animal, are commonly found in grassy and bushy areas.
Generally speaking, flea and tick bites are more of an annoyance than a health hazard. But it is important to control tick and fleas as soon as they appear on your pets. They can cause discomfort and itching sensation for the host, which will try to get rid of the pest by scratching and biting the area where the flea or tick has attached itself. Repeated scratching and biting can lead to skin redness and irritation that, if not treated immediately, can cause infections.
Our vet recommended a flea collar. It worked well for Rama, the parasites literally dropped dead! We also sprayed the entire house, especially areas where Rama loves to go with an anti tick/flea formula, to ensure that the pests are eliminated. Today, Rama is scratch-free. The collar will give him protection against flea and ticks for the next three months. Meanwhile, we regularly use an anti flea/tick spray in the house to lessen the chances of re-infestation.
