When To Seek Assistance From An Animal Hospital For A Flea Infestation
As a dog or cat owner, you have a responsibility to provide your pet with the best care possible. When a pet contracts fleas, fast action needs to be taken to eradicate them fully as they can cause great distress to the animal dealing with their presence. Here are signs that indicate it is time to contact an animal hospital to aid in the removal and prevention of fleas.
Your Pet Has An Allergic Reaction
Many cats and dogs suffer from itchiness as fleas run across their bodies. Some pets also deal with allergic reactions from fleas biting their skin. If your pet has raised bumps, lesions, or scabs upon their skin, and you believe they are dealing with a bout of fleas, it is best to contact an animal hospital to make an appointment. A veterinarian will assess the extent of the infestation and treat the skin problem in addition to eliminating the parasites from your dog or cat's body.
Your Pet Has Digestive Troubles
Unfortunately, fleas carry tapeworms, which can cause your pet to suffer from digestive issues if they happen to ingest one of the parasites when trying to groom themselves. If a tapeworm gets into your pet's body, it will adhere to the stomach and cause your pet to have difficulties with food digestion. Your pet may vomit, suffer from diarrhea, or have severe constipation as a result. At the first sign of an issue with eating, contact your pet's veterinarian to inquire about scheduling an appointment for an evaluation.
You Are Unable To Eradicate Fleas Yourself
When you notice fleas on your cat or dog's body, it is time to whip out the flea comb and remove as many adult fleas as you possibly can. Some pet owners rely on the use of pet flea shampoos to remove fleas as well. Make sure to wash your pet's bedding regularly and vacuum your carpets every few days to remove any eggs that have fallen from your pet. If these steps do not help in eliminating fleas, contact your vet for help.
As A Preventative Measure
No one wants to have their pet suffer from fleas unnecessarily. To keep fleas from becoming a problem at all, an animal hospital can provide your dog or cat with medication that will keep the fleas from staying on your pet's body. Medication is usually topical and is placed between your pet's shoulder blades monthly to kill existing fleas and break the fleas' lifecycles so they do not reproduce. The medication also repels fleas, providing your dog or cat with continuous protection against these parasites.
Contact an animal hospital like Bayside Animal Hospital for more information.