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As the weather warms up and spring brings new life to our gardens and parks, it is also peak season for parasites. Fleas, ticks, and worms thrive in warmer weather, which can pose serious health risks to our beloved pets.
Petstock Vet General Manager Dr Sasha Nefedova stresses the importance of proactive treatments to keep pets healthy and happy during spring.
"Prevention is always better than the cure," says Dr Sasha. "By giving your pets regular flea, tick, and worm medications, pet owners can protect their pets from discomfort and serious health issues, such as allergic reactions, skin infections, anaemia, and even transmitting diseases to both pets and humans.
"Prevention is always better than the cure," says Dr Sasha. "By giving your pets regular flea, tick, and worm medications, pet owners can protect their pets from discomfort and serious health issues, such as allergic reactions, skin infections, anaemia, and even transmitting diseases to both pets and humans.
It's essential to follow a vet-recommended treatment plan and ensure all pets in the household are treated simultaneously to avoid re-infestation."
#1. Signs of fleas in pets:
#1. Signs of fleas in pets:
Cats and dogs tend to present with similar symptoms when it comes to flea infestations. A tell-tale sign is excessive scratching; if you find that your pet is scratching themselves more frequently, or they seem distressed when doing so, it is a good idea to look for other signs of fleas, such as little brown dots (flea poop) on the skin of your pet.
If you’re not sure whether it’s just dirt or flea poop, add a bit of water on it to see if it turns pink or red to see whether it’s dirt or otherwise. Over time, excessive scratching can lead to hair loss and dry skin, so it is important to pay attention to any new bald patches that develop.
Finally, oftentimes during a flea infestation, your pet may develop red pimples or bumps on their groin, belly, under their legs or at the base of their tail.
#2. Signs of tick bites in pets:
It is important to act fast if you think your pet may have been bitten by a tick. A common tick is the Australian paralysis tick, which can cause deadly symptoms if not treated immediately.
#2. Signs of tick bites in pets:
It is important to act fast if you think your pet may have been bitten by a tick. A common tick is the Australian paralysis tick, which can cause deadly symptoms if not treated immediately.
It is good practice to inspect your pets skin regularly, especially after extended periods of time spent outside or in long grass. Sometimes the tick will be visible (if still lodged in the skin). In other cases, there might be indication of a tick bite in the form of a visible wound accompanied by localised swelling or redness.
✔️ A bite from an Australian paralysis tick can cause the following symptoms in cats and dogs:
✔️ A loss in coordination of the hind legs or a change in the way your pet walks
✔️ A change in your dog or cat’s bark or meow
✔️ Vomiting, retching, coughing or a sudden lack of appetite
✔️ Difficulty breathing
✔️ Unusual levels of fatigue for your pet
If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact your local vet asap.
#3. Signs of worms in pets:
Symptoms of worm infestations can vary depending on the species of worm present in your pet, however some obvious signs to look out for include; visible worms in your pet’s faeces, weight loss, diarrhoea and/or blood in faeces or unusual levels of lethargy. Puppies with worms can often develop a “pot-bellied” appearance.
Petstock's product suggestions:
✔️ A bite from an Australian paralysis tick can cause the following symptoms in cats and dogs:
✔️ A loss in coordination of the hind legs or a change in the way your pet walks
✔️ A change in your dog or cat’s bark or meow
✔️ Vomiting, retching, coughing or a sudden lack of appetite
✔️ Difficulty breathing
✔️ Unusual levels of fatigue for your pet
If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact your local vet asap.
#3. Signs of worms in pets:
Symptoms of worm infestations can vary depending on the species of worm present in your pet, however some obvious signs to look out for include; visible worms in your pet’s faeces, weight loss, diarrhoea and/or blood in faeces or unusual levels of lethargy. Puppies with worms can often develop a “pot-bellied” appearance.
Petstock's product suggestions:
Drontal Puppy Worming Suspension 30ml ($39.76/30ml), Advocate Flea & Worm Treatment >4kg Cat ($75.96 for a 3 pack), Paragard Allwormer Large Dog ($29.63).
How can we protect our pets?
If your pet is particularly active and likes to spend a lot of time outdoors, it is worth considering a monthly treatment, such as NexGard Spectra, which kills fleas, treats and controls ticks and various species of worms via a chewable tablet.
With many pet owners struggling with the cost of living crisis, Pestock has lowered the cost of selected Flea, Tick and Worming treatments to ensure caring for your pet is that little bit easier.
Petstock Product Suggestions:
NexGard SPECTRA Chews For Medium Dogs 7.6-15kg ($116 for 6-month supply), NexGard SPECTRA Spot-On for Cats 2.5-7.5 kg ($101 for a 6-month supply).
Fish and other pets
Petstock Product Suggestions:
NexGard SPECTRA Chews For Medium Dogs 7.6-15kg ($116 for 6-month supply), NexGard SPECTRA Spot-On for Cats 2.5-7.5 kg ($101 for a 6-month supply).
Fish and other pets
It’s important not to forget other pets in the home during spring. When it comes to our indoor pets, such as fish and reptiles, a spring clean of their environment is crucial. “Dirty fish tanks can act as a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, and viruses that can pose a risk to your scaled companions,” says Dr Sasha.
“Cleaning a fish tank is simple - the important thing is doing it regularly. The benefits to your pets are ten fold, but an additional benefit is the visual appeal of a clean and well maintained tank. We often think of spring cleaning as a time to freshen up our homes, it’s also a perfect opportunity to give your pets' living spaces a thorough clean.”
How often should we clean our fish tanks?
The frequency with which we need to clean our fish tanks is dependent on a number of factors, including the size of your tank, how many fish live in it, and the number of plants you have in it. Many people think that they have to remove the fish from their tank every time they clean, this is actually not true, in fact, removing fish from their tank is very distressing for them, and it is much easier to clean around them.
Dr Sasha’s tips for cleaning your fish tank
“Cleaning a fish tank is simple - the important thing is doing it regularly. The benefits to your pets are ten fold, but an additional benefit is the visual appeal of a clean and well maintained tank. We often think of spring cleaning as a time to freshen up our homes, it’s also a perfect opportunity to give your pets' living spaces a thorough clean.”
How often should we clean our fish tanks?
The frequency with which we need to clean our fish tanks is dependent on a number of factors, including the size of your tank, how many fish live in it, and the number of plants you have in it. Many people think that they have to remove the fish from their tank every time they clean, this is actually not true, in fact, removing fish from their tank is very distressing for them, and it is much easier to clean around them.
Dr Sasha’s tips for cleaning your fish tank
Replace 10-20% of the water in your fish tank weekly to maintain a balanced environment. This helps remove toxins and replenish essential minerals. Never change more than 25-30% of the water in your tank at one time as this will affect the biological filter of the tank. The only scenario in which you should change more than this amount, is if your fish have become ill.
✔️ Cleaning the “sea” floor:
Use a gravel vacuum to remove debris and uneaten food. No vacuum?
Just give the gravel a good rinse with clean, running water. This prevents harmful bacteria from building up and keeps the tank clean and healthy.
✔️ Check and clean your filter:
Clean the tank filter every two to four weeks. Take care to rinse the filter media in tank water to preserve balance. Dr Sasha’s hot tip is to avoid over-cleaning as some beneficial bacteria need to remain in the tank to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
✔️ Check and clean your filter:
Clean the tank filter every two to four weeks. Take care to rinse the filter media in tank water to preserve balance. Dr Sasha’s hot tip is to avoid over-cleaning as some beneficial bacteria need to remain in the tank to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
✔️ Unwanted algae:
Scrub the inside walls of the tank to remove algae build-up. A magnetic glass cleaner is a game changer when it comes to cleaning your tank from the outside, just use the magnet to guide the floating sponge inside. Consider adding algae-eating fish or snails as a natural way to keep algae levels in check.
✔️ Fish tank decor:
Remove and clean any decorations, rocks, or plants in the tank. This prevents the build-up of dirt and grime, ensuring a healthier environment for your fish.
Remove and clean any decorations, rocks, or plants in the tank. This prevents the build-up of dirt and grime, ensuring a healthier environment for your fish.
MEDIA RELEASE, 18th September 2024
National Tick Awareness Month for Pets in Australia
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