Fleas and Ticks in Animals

Fleas and ticks are external parasites that can cause health problems in many pets as well as humans. They are – it must be said – the pet peeve of every pet owner, mainly because they can easily transmit infectious diseases which, while not fatal, are the source of many inconveniences.

Fleas

The flea is known to feed on the blood of the animal it bites. Fleas then lay eggs – around 25 per day – from which larvae emerge a few days later. These wrap around carpet pile and are particularly difficult to dislodge, even when vacuuming. The larvae then build a cocoon and transform into adult fleas. This flea life cycle repeats itself until it is completely stopped.

Ticks

The tick – increasingly present in Quebec – is part of the arachnid family. It is most often found in undergrowth, tall grass, shrubs, hedges, etc. Like the flea, it feeds on the blood of the animal it bites. It has hooks in its oral cavity that allow it to cling to animals for between 3 and 14 days to fill up on blood. After this time, the tick detaches, falls to the ground, goes to lay eggs on the grass and then continues on in search of another animal to cling to.

Prevention and Treatment

To break the flea life cycle and protect your pets, the best approach is to use a flea treatment recommended by your veterinarian. For maximum effectiveness, this treatment should be applied monthly for at least six months.

As for ticks, they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis if not removed promptly. The most effective way to prevent tick bites is by using a tick repellent treatment available from your veterinarian. It's also important to note that ticks can become active when temperatures rise above 4°C, and they are even more active in areas with little snow.

If the snow melts quickly due to the heat, it would be wise to start tick and flea prevention treatment as early as April and continue it until November.