Pet health care tips on dealing with fleas

Tuesday, 31 August 2010 21:44

Although owners may fear the tiny little mites, it can actually be difficult to tell when a creature is suffering from fleas, a pet health care professional has said.

Writing for the Reading Eagle, Dr Deborah Lee Pickett noted that these pesky insects are best spied with a fine-tooth comb.

Owners should prepare a regular grooming routine with the implement to keep a close eye on their pet dog or cat, as fleas are highly contagious and recur often, despite flea treatments being administered previously.

In a multi-pet household, it is almost impossible to contain an infestation, which would be exacerbated if the animals came into contact with outside critters.

Noting that fleas tend to congregate around the groin, rear end and tail, Dr Pickett suggested carefully combing through these areas, watching for fleas jumping off the comb.

Furthermore flea dirt - faeces - may fall off the body, although it can be mistaken for soil.

"Dampen the black specks on a white paper towel and smear your wet finger over them. Flea dirt leaves a red-brown streak of digested blood," she advised.

Animal Friends are a specialist pet insurance company providing dog insurance and cat insurance to British pet owners since 1999 and we now offer horse insurance too.

Posted by Rosina