YOU'LL ALWAYS KNOW IF YOUR PET HAS FLEAS, RIGHT?

Wrong!

In a recent survey, nearly half of all pet owners whose pets had fleas were totally unaware.



The fact is, fleas are a very common problem. If you have cats or dogs, the chances are they'll experience a flea infestation at some time in their life. In summer 2005, more than one in fifteen dogs and one in five cats showed signs of a flea infestation or flea-related problems.

IT'S JUST AN IRRITATING BITE, ISN'T IT?

At the very least, fleas cause irritation and skin problems in pets - you'll see this if your pet is itching, scratching or biting their coat. Newly hatched fleas will often jump onto pet owners causing discomfort for us too, but the problem doesn't end there. Fleas can carry diseases that affect people as well as pets.
" Some pets develop Flea Allergy Dermatitis, an allergy to fleas where they can suffer a nasty skin reaction.
" Fleas can carry tapeworm, which infect cats and dogs. Ask your vet about worming, especially if you've seen any fleas.
" Fleas are involved in the transmission of Bartonella henselae2, a bacteria known to cause mild flu-like symptoms in people.
" Fleas can also carry Rickettsia species2, a bacteria that causes fever and a skin rash in humans.
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IS YOUR HOME HARBOURING A PROBLEM?

Did you know that if your pet has fleas, your home is harbouring most of the flea problem? Adult fleas on your pet are just the tip of the iceberg, in fact they are only 5% of the whole infestation. The other 95% consists of flea eggs, larvae and pupae that can be spread throughout your home by your pets and develop into new adult fleas in only a few weeks. A warm house provides the perfect breeding environment, so central heating makes fleas a problem all year round.



TAKE THE FLEA TEST.

Waiting until your pet starts scratching could mean an infestation in your home that's hard to resolve. Simply checking your pet regularly for fleas is the first step to preventing the whole flea problem.
How do you know if your pet has fleas? You might see them in your pet's coat by gently parting the fur, particularly around the base of the tail. But fleas are often difficult to find, so the best way to check is to look for 'flea dirt' - small black specks in the pet's coat, which consist of dried blood excreted by the fleas.

" Comb through your pet's coat and collect any debris onto a wet piece of white paper or cotton wool.
" If the specks that fall onto the wet surface dissolve to give red/brown swirls or patches, then your pet has fleas.
" If you see no flea dirt and your pet is scratching or losing hair, consult your vet for help.
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TAKE CONTROL.

If your pet has fleas, it's important to tackle the whole flea problem, not just the adult fleas. The best approach is to use the 'Integrated Flea Control' method recommended by experts3. You can achieve this by following three simple steps to effective control:
" Protect your pet - treat them with a product containing an ingredient to kill adult fleas.
" Protect your home - treat your pet or your home with a product containing a different active ingredient to prevent the development of eggs, larvae and pupae.
" Ensure quicker clearance of any infestation - wash pet bedding and vacuum regularly, and make sure the house is warm to encourage pupae to hatch.
" If your dog swims or is shampooed ensure you have waterproof flea control.

IS YOUR PET AT RISK FROM TICKS?

Wherever you live in the UK, if you have cats or dogs, they could pick up ticks in rural areas, public parks, and even in your garden.
Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that can pierce your pet's skin with their mouths and cement themselves into position to prevent easy removal. Most ticks in the UK are 'hard ticks' which means they have a hard outer shell protecting their body. The most common type is Ixodes ricinus, known as the sheep or deer tick. It's not only a risk to our pets, but can also infest other animals - and humans too.
Ticks are temporary parasites that spend 3-10 days feeding on your pet. They rely on their host for a blood meal - all stages of the life cycle, except for the egg, must attach to a host to feed before falling off into the environment to develop into the next stage. The whole lifecycle can take 1-3 years to complete.



IT'S JUST A PASSING IRRITATION, ISN'T IT?

No. Ticks can cause a variety of problems, some of them with serious consequences for your pet. At the very least, the physical presence of the tick is uncomfortable for your pet and can lead to a skin reaction or abscess where the tick is attached - particularly if the mouthparts are left behind when a tick is removed. But the problem doesn't end there, as ticks can also carry diseases that can be transmitted to your pet.
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AT RISK IN THE UK

" Lyme disease. Caused by the parasite Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by Ixodes species of ticks, the most common ticks in the UK. Lyme disease can affect humans as well as dogs and on occasion cats. In dogs it may cause fever, lethargy, arthritis and occasionally skin disease.
" Anaplasmosis. Caused by the parasite Anaplasma phagocytophila and transmitted by Ixodes ticks. Although rarely diagnosed in the UK, symptoms include depression, fever, reluctance to move and general malaise.

CHECK FOR TICKS.

It is important to check your pet regularly for ticks, particularly if they are travelling abroad, or have recently come back from abroad. Carefully check every part of your pet, particularly around the head, ears, legs and paws.
It is possible that your pet may have had a tick attached without you noticing, particularly in long-haired breeds. So watch out for any of the warning signs, which could indicate a tick-borne disease. If your pet shows any of these signs, contact your vet:

" Fever
" Lameness
" Loss of appetite
" Sudden onset of pain
" Arthritis or swelling in their joints
" Lethargy or depression
" Cough.

If your pet develops any of these signs after having travelled abroad, it is particularly important to tell your vet where your pet has travelled as some tick-borne diseases' clinical signs can be delayed.