FLEAS!!!!
WE HATE THEM!
Something about South Florida just brings out the fleas, all year long, but especially Summer time.
Fleas are a curse on dogs and cats and their owners. These nasty beastly insects inhabit your pets's body, feeding on their blood, and laying eggs in a seemingly never ending cycle.
When the flea bites your pet, it triggers an allergic reaction to the saliva that is excreted by the flea. The ugly sores that you see are really allergic reactions. These sores can cause extreme itching and pain for your dog or cat. It can even cause loss of fur. These ailments for your pet are complicated by the secondary scratching to relieve the irritation. We have seen pets develop inflammation and infections, and in some cased they become quite sick. Not all pets are actually allergic to flea bites. Even if your pet is lucky enough to be immune though, you can't just sit back. These nasty bugs will also infest your home in a heart beat, where they can move on to other pets, and even the humans living in the home..yes.. many of us are also allergic to the flea bite.
OH NO! DO WE HAVE FLEAS?
OK.. your dog has gone on a scratching marathon, your cat is digging and scratching into her fur, and you are suspecting, maybe we have a flea problem.
Fleas are about an eighth in length and are brownish. They prefer dark, and will hide beneath the fur, on the tummy, or under a collar. Their fecal matter, which some people and pets are also allergic to, looks like multiple black specks.. like pepper, on your pets coat, and close in to the skin. If you find fleas, or their fecal material, do not fool around. It's time to take care of business before you have a full blown infestation on your hands.
Visit Boca Raton Animal Hospital to set an appointment to discuss your flea eradication needs.
