Mites, Fleas, Ticks & Lice

Unfortunately, many of your pets will be infected with a few pests throughout their lifetime. Between interaction with other animals and either living outside or frequent field trips, sometimes those pesky mites, fleas, ticks and lice will latch on. Do your four-legged friends a favor and use the following quick guidelines to help you take care of them as soon as possible!

Mites
Mites are tiny parasites that can cause sores, itchiness and infection. Watch out for mites on very young and very old dogs, in particular. Their weaker immune systems makes them more likely to catch the pests. Because mites are so tiny and there are so many different varieties, it's best to take your pet to the veterinarian and get their opinion on the best way to treat them. Treatments will often include an itch relief and miticidal medication such as dips, lotions and medicated baths.

Ticks
Ticks, perhaps the most disturbing of all the pests that bother our pets, are parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood. Some ticks will spread diseases, so treatment and removal of these pesks need to be treated correctly. Ticks latch onto your animals while they're outside, often in tall grass or plants found in wooded areas. Ticks will not detach until they have finished their meal and should be removed as soon as they're spotted. To remove the tick, cover your hands with a pair of latex gloves and use tweezers to grab the tick right where they're attached to the animal. Avoid squeezing the body of the tick, but pull the tick straight out from the skin. Make sure to remove the head. There could be some bleeding, but don't worry, that is normal. Apply light pressure to the wound. Keep the wound clean and check on it every day to ensure there is no infection. You can then either dispose of the tick by burning it, flushing it down the toilet or by storing it in a small, airtight container like a pill jar. In some instances, saving the tick could come in handy if there is a future illness and the illness needs to be identified.

To prevent ticks, check your pet daily to catch the pests before they've latched on. You can also treat your yard with a pet friendly pesticide or apply a monthly tick prevention product to your pet.

Fleas
Fleas are perhaps the most frustrating of all the pests your animals can contract. They are hard to get rid of, can spread throughout the house and will be irritating to you and your family. Once you have fleas, insecticides are almost always needed to get rid of them. Many different products are available for home treatment. When using these products, be sure that you read all directions carefully!

Treatments must be applied to both the environment affected by fleas and the pet itself:

Environment—The application of insecticides should be very thorough including carpets, rugs, and any beds your animals may sleep on. All toys and clothing should be removed and cleaned or destroyed. Everything should be vacuumed, so the unhatched flea larvae are awakened and the insecticides treat them as well. Insecticides should be used very carefully. Be sure to avoid treated surfaces until they have dried completely.

Pet—The pet must be treated in addition to the environment, as just one or the other would be ineffective. When choosing a product be sure to read the instructions carefully and ensure that it is safe for your animal. Many flea protection treatments can be applied monthly and prevent ticks as well.

While you may have completed the proper treatment, you still may see fleas for up to two weeks afterwards. Continuing to vacuum the area will encourage the pupae to hatch, so the newly emerged adult fleas can be treated by the insecticides. If fleas continue to hang around beyond four weeks, another treatment may be required.

Lice
While dogs, cats and humans can all get the tiny lice insects, the ones found on each are all different types. So while you cat could have lice, the one positive is that you don't have to worry about that spreading to your dogs or children.

The signs of a louse attack are all in the coat—if your animal is getting a scruffy, dry coat, losing hair, and getting extra itchy it could be lice. You'll be able to see the small nits, or eggs, by combing through your pet's hair. Treatment can be completed with one of the many types available from your veterinarian, including shampoos, sprays, powders, and a lice dip. You may need to use the product for several weeks.