Types of Flea and Tick Products

Hundreds of pesticides, repellents, and growth inhibitors are approved or licensed to control fleas and ticks oncats and dogs or in their environment. Products range from oral medications that require a veterinarian's prescription to collars, sprays, dips, shampoos, and powders that are available at retail stores. "Spot-ons" liquid products applied directly to the pet's skin, often behind the neck, are among the latest weapons to be developed to fight fleas and ticks.Some products kill only ticks or adult fleas--others break the flea life cycle by preventing flea eggs from developing into adult fleas.

The Preventic collar is one such product. The collar kills ticks by interfering with a tick's ability to feed on dogs. It contains the insecticide amitraz, which paralyzes the tick's mouthparts. Amitraz should not be used on dogs that are sickly, pregnant, or nursing, or with certain drugs that may interact with the insecticide.

When to Treat

Fleas also can live inside a warm house year-round.In many areas, September is often the worst month for flea infestation. In most parts of the United States, the greatest chance of infection by a tick bite is May through September, the period of greatest tick activity by "nymphs". Nymphs are the stage of tick development that occurs after they have had their first blood meal and molt, and before they become adults.

Lyme Disease About 200 species of ticks live in the United States. Some of these can transmit infectious diseases, such as Lyme disease, to pets and humans. Studies indicate that dogs are 50 percent more susceptible to Lyme disease than humans, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium transmitted through the bite of the deer tick, also called the black-legged tick, which is no larger than the head of a pin.Typical symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include joint soreness and lameness, fever, and loss of appetite. Symptoms in humans include fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a red, circular skin rash.

The good news is fleas and ticks are getting easier to control. We recommend getting rid of fleas by simultaneously "bombing" the house with insecticide, spraying the yard, and dipping the dog or cat.Today, treating only the pet often takes care of the problem. But if there is a severe flea infestation or if the problem persists, you may still need to treat the pet's environment professionally. Just let us know and Exclusive Pet Grooming we will take care of everything for You!