British pet lovers could be set
for a summer of scratching as they face sharing their homes with literally
thousands of fleas.
Leading veterinary charity PDSA says that every pet-owning household in the
country could contain around 20,000 flea eggs at any one time.
The charity says that a population of just ten fleas can increase to over
one thousand fleas within the space of just six months because of the rate
at which they reproduce.
And PDSA vets reckon that at the height of the summer onslaught, the UK’s
canine population could lose as much as 17,600 pints – or 2,200 gallons –
of blood every day to the bloodthirsty parasites.
The charity says the figures underline the need for pet owners to take comprehensive
steps to rid their homes – and their pets – of the pests.
PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury, said: “Flea eggs fall
off your pet wherever it goes, in particular where they sleep. So if your
pet snoozes with you at night, your bed could literally be infested with
hundreds of fleas and eggs – not a comforting thought when you’re trying
to get to sleep at night!”
She claims owners can overcome the problem by following a regular treatment
programme – but says it is important that pet owners adhere to the exact
instructions provided.
“It is vitally important to use the correct flea treatments and dosage for
pets. Using a dog flea treatment on a cat can result in fatal poisoning,
as can exceeding the recommended dosage, so always consult your vet for advice
on the best flea treatment to use.
“Remember too that treating your pet is only part of the procedure as you
will have to treat your home and all of the pets within your household too.
Everything the dog or cat comes into contact with should be treated with
a product recommended by your vet or it is inevitable that the fleas will
come back.”
Fleas can cause very serious health problems. They are one of the most common
causes of skin problems in dogs and cats. In severe cases, smaller animals,
particularly kittens, can die from anaemia due to blood loss to the feeding
fleas.
With around 14 million cats and dogs in the UK today, most at some point
in their lives will be affected by fleas.
To help pet owners learn more about this important subject, PDSA has produced
a new responsible pet care leaflet entitled, ‘Fleas, mites, lice and ticks’,
which is packed with useful tips on keeping pets bug-free!
The leaflet not only advises pet owners how to spot if their pet is carrying
fleas and other common parasites, but most importantly, what to do about
them. It is available at www.pdsa.org.uk
or by calling 0800 917 2509.
Did you know?
• Fleas thrive in a warm environment, which is why flea cases increase during
the summer months, and in the late autumn when the central heating is switched
on.
• Fleas can jump 20cm high and over a metre long. They will jump around 10,000
times when looking for a dog or cat host.
• Fleas can feed for up to three hours from one site, and can drink up to
140% of their own body weight in blood.
• Eggs, larvae and pupae can also be carried around the house on the soles
of our shoes.
reprinted with kind permission from Jessica Richardson
Media and PR Officer - Veterinary PDSA - the UK's leading veterinary charity http://www.pdsa.org.uk
The above information is simply informational.
It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist
you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian
for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.
