Fleas are the most common parasite of dogs & cats
How do I know if my pet has fleas?
You won’t always see fleas on your dog or cat. Fleas leave behind “flea dirt” which looks like pepper, usually on the belly or back. Many pets are allergic to fleas. They will scratch frequently and may develop red or rashy skin.
How do I get rid of fleas?
Adult fleas survive by biting pets for blood. They lay microscopic eggs which develop into larvae in the pet’s environment – outdoors, in bedding, or in carpet. To get rid of the fleas you must treat both the pet and the area where it lives. We used to have to spray the pet and the environment with insecticides. Now there complete flea products available from Veterinarians that get rid of all the fleas. They are either put on the pet’s skin or taken in pill form once a month.
The flea/tapeworm connection
Tapeworm segment on a cat's tail
Tapeworms are intestinal parasites which dogs and cats can get from having fleas. The following life cycle illustrates this process:
Tapeworms are treated by a medication available from your Veterinarian. After your pet is treated for tapeworms, it is important to use good flea control so that your pet does not develop tapeworms again.
