Fleas| HealthyLife

If you have pets at home then you will sure know what are fleas. Fleas are small insects present in the hairs of dogs and cats. Fleas are wingless, but possess incredible jumping ability. This enables them to jump easily from ground level to “ambush” a pet. Fleas feed on blood, and female fleas consume about 15 times their body weight each day. Incompletely digested blood is excreted from the flea and dries to form what is commonly referred to as “flea dirt.” This serves as food for developing flea larvae and is one way veterinarians and pet owners can identify an infestation. Fleas can cause severe discomfort for pets, including scratching, chewing, biting and restlessness. Fleas are the source of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), the most common veterinary dermatological condition. Severe flea infestations can cause anemia, especially in young or smaller pets or in debilitated adult pets. Ingested fleas also can transmit tapeworm infection to pets. Fleas can sit on human body and may bite causing rashes and also may responsible in transferring  tapeworms to children, allergies, plague and typhus.

How to eliminate fleas? Keep your pets clean. Shampooing with gentle shampoo and giving regular bath is one good method to control fleas. In heavy infestations, use flea and tick shampoo on dogs. Cats need to be treated carefully and gently. Contact your veterinarian for more suggestions. You can not stop your children playing with their pets. Educate your children to wash their hands, body and wearing fresh clothing after playing with pets.

Image credit: Petclinic.com