02 6113 9996
1/2 Frencham Place, DOWNER

PET FLEA CONTROL 

Fleas are one of the most common parasites. They’re small, wingless and jumpy parasites which feed off human and animals blood. They can jump 150 times their length and make pets feel itchy and uncomfortable.

Fleas cause a number of health problems, such as skin allergies, anaemia, bacterial and tapeworm infections. They’re most active over Summer but are about all year around in Canberra due to central heating. Their eggs and pupae can stay dormant and survive many environments, until they conditions are right for them to hatch, and then they jump onto their host.

Signs of a flea infestation may start off which your pet being itchy, scratching and biting its skin and coat. When you look closer at the skin and coat you may notice red, irritated bumps or blisters, flea dirt (flea faeces) or adult fleas crawling around. Flea irritation and dirt are most commonly found around the base of the tail and the lower back. Flea dirt looks like black/ dark red speckles.

You can differentiate it from dirt with this simple trick. If you collect some flea dirt, put it on some paper and add water it will leak a reddish tinge… that means it’s most likely flea faeces.

Dog with fleas having a spot on applied.

''Remember fleas breed at a phenomenal rate, so it’s best to get on top of it as soon as possible. We recommend keeping up to date with your pet's flea treatment all year round, if you need any we have some topical and oral treatments.''

A dog scratching it's face

How to manage a Flea Infestation:

  • Treat ALL in-contact pets. It is important to continue to treat all the pets even if you don't see fleas, because the eggs continue to hatch and jump on the cat/ dog causing issues. The other cat will still be harbouring some fleas (even if you can't see them) and this will continue to be a source of re-infection. We stock Bravecto, Revolution and Nexgard Spectra.

  • Wash all bedding/ washable material and hang out in the hot sun to dry.

  • Vacuum like crazy - concentrate where pets have access and also do the skirting boards - the flea larvae like to crawl to dark places.

  • Spray the house - concentrating on pet areas, under furniture (dark) and skirting boards with an IGR flea spray. IGR means it has an insect growth regulator to treat the fleas

Continue this for 3-6 months to get on top of the problem and also continue to treat both pets all year around now.

PET TICK CONTROL

Ticks are found in every state of Australia but are more populated in warmer and humid environments like the coast. Once attached to your pet they cause signs of tick paralysis. There are a variety of ticks, however the most dangerous type is paralysis ticks. Paralysis ticks are identified by their grey bodies and legs that are close to the head. When the ticks attach and feed they inject a neurotoxin into the pets' bloodstream, this causes a progressive paralysis and early veterinary treatment is vital.

Ticks attach to your pets anywhere, so it is important to do a full body check up. Check areas like ears, lips, between toes, under tail, around genitals and their back legs. The ticks are attracted to carbon dioxide are so are often found forward of the shoulders (ie: face/ neck etc). It is important to note that no product is 100% accurate and daily tick searches are equally important.

A close up view of a tick attached to a dog
A tick being removed from a cat

Clinical signs

  • Paralysis

  • Balance and coordination loss, wobbliness (especially to back legs)

  • Vomiting, vomiting, gagging

  • Collapse

  • Increased or difficulty Breathing

  • Voice changes

  • Salivation

  • Lethargy

  • Lack of appetite

What to do if you find a tick

  • Remove the tick quickly, or call us and we can remove it for you.

  • Place the tick in a jar and bring it to your Vet appointment, so they can check the species.

  • Contact your local Vet immediately, early treatment is vital

We can’t stress enough how important it is to have regular tick treatment for your fur babies. Ticks are most common in warmer months but can be found all year around in the NSW coastline. Throughout Canberra’s warmer moths ticks can travel from coastal areas and reproduce here. There has been cases where cats and dogs have been affected by ticks without leaving Canberra. The team at The Village Vet treated a paralysed dog who lives in Downer in January 2022 who had not left the ACT. Come in and pick up your paralysis tick prevention today!