May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month

FLEAS, TICKS, AND WORMS, OH MY!

EXPERT TIPS ON FELINE PARASITE PREVENTION

Cats are funny creatures. One minute they want their space, and the next, they want to cuddle up on your lap (or they completely ignore you until it’s dinnertime). While it may sometimes seem like your cat could be hiding from you, the reality is they form bonds with their humans and are dependent on us

These bonds are mutually beneficial. Cat ownership has been found to lower stress, decrease the risk of allergies in children, and improve your quality of life. That’s why it’s important for cat owners to do all they can to protect their pets, especially when it comes to common parasites.

While some parasites are most active in the spring and summer, your cat is at risk year-round. Especially now, from Heartworm Awareness Month in April to Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, learning about potential risks and how to protect your cat is crucial. This includes understanding common misconceptions around feline parasite prevention.

One such misconception is that only outdoor pets are affected by parasites – in fact, cats of all lifestyles are susceptible. Even indoor cats can be exposed, as parasites can be brought inside by other pets and people. A flea infestation or tick bite can spread disease and hinder your bond with your cat. Between seeing your cat constantly itching and finding flea dirt in your home, these parasites can cause stress and frustration for you both.

There’s also a misunderstanding that parasite prevention medication is only needed seasonally; however, parasites are a constant threat, and year-round protection is the key to a happy and healthy cat. Whether you’re a first-time cat owner or a well-experienced pet parent, it’s always best to talk with your veterinarian about the right protection for your cat.

On Tuesday, May 6th, Dr. Amber Whittle, Medical Affairs Manager of Feline Parasiticides at Zoetis, will be available to talk about the joys of cat ownership and how cat owners can protect their furry friends against parasites. She’ll explain what owners should be aware of to help keep their cats healthy, so they can have a happier, stronger bond at home.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been an uptick in the number of people working from home and across the U.S. adopting pets from animal shelters, and many others are also signing up to be temporary pet foster parents. Recent statistics show pet adoptions are up 100% from last year.

Pets can be a great, healthy addition to a family. Reports show that 78% of pet owners say their pets have improved their quality of life during this current social distancing period. For example, new and long-time pet owners are spending more time outside exercising with their pets, which is a great activity for everybody.

Just as our pets are keeping us healthy it’s important to return the favor by protecting your pets as you take them to dog parks or hiking trails, or even just extended walks around the neighborhood.

• Fleas: even though we don’t often see them, just one flea can lay over 500 eggs in the first 21 days once they invade your do and then make their way into your home.
• Ticks: they are found in many of the places your dog likes to go, such as tall grass, trails and leaves and can transmit serious diseases.
• Mosquitos: a single bite from an infective mosquito can transmit heartworm disease.
• Contaminated Soil: hookworms and roundworms can live in a dog’s intestines and can be passed on to you.

Join our expert, Veterinarian, Dr. Caitlin DeWilde to learn more about the health risks for your animals, and tips for keeping your pet happy, healthy, and protected. When it comes to healthy pets, it’s a two-way street. We keep our four-legged friends healthy & they help to keep us healthy in return.

Interview is courtesy: Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

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PET ADOPTIONS SURGE DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING:

As Families Spend More Time with Their Pets, Learn How to Protect Against Flea, Tick & Mosquito Threats

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been an uptick in the number of people working from home and across the U.S. adopting pets from animal shelters, and many others are also signing up to be temporary pet foster parents. Recent statistics show pet adoptions are up 100% from last year.

Pets can be a great, healthy addition to a family. Reports show that 78% of pet owners say their pets have improved their quality of life during this current social distancing period. For example, new and long-time pet owners are spending more time outside exercising with their pets, which is a great activity for everybody.

Just as our pets are keeping us healthy it’s important to return the favor by protecting your pets as you take them to dog parks or hiking trails, or even just extended walks around the neighborhood.

• Fleas: even though we don’t often see them, just one flea can lay over 500 eggs in the first 21 days once they invade your do and then make their way into your home.
• Ticks: they are found in many of the places your dog likes to go, such as tall grass, trails and leaves and can transmit serious diseases.
• Mosquitos: a single bite from an infective mosquito can transmit heartworm disease.
• Contaminated Soil: hookworms and roundworms can live in a dog’s intestines and can be passed on to you.
Join our expert, Veterinarian, Dr. Caitlin DeWilde to learn more about the health risks for your animals, and tips for keeping your pet happy, healthy, and protected. When it comes to healthy pets, it’s a two-way street. We keep our four-legged friends healthy & they help to keep us healthy in return.

#fleas #parasiticides #pets #pet #planet #ticks #paul #sladkus

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Spending quality time outside with pets is a great way to be refreshed and experience companionship during this unprecedented time. Many are also adopting or fostering shelter pets as a way to connect. While people are doing all they can to preserve the health and safety of their communities through social distancing, working from home and other actions, pet owners also face the unique responsibility of maintaining their pet’s health and safety when choosing outdoor activities over social gatherings.

Spending time in nature on long walks, taking hikes or even playing in the backyard with your pets is important to their physical health. At the same time, this gives fleas and ticks the opportunity to pounce on dogs and cats and spread serious diseases. Lyme disease is the most common illness caused by tick bites, representing 72% of the tick-borne diseases reported in humans, according to recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. It can also be fatal if left untreated in both dogs and humans.
Lyme disease has been found in every state in the U.S. According to the CDC, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease occur in the U.S. each year. While dogs and cats cannot spread the disease directly to humans, pets can bring infected ticks into your house from the outdoors.
Pet parents should take measures to protect their four-legged friends, such as checking fur for ticks and having pets protected with a parasite preventative year-round. Long-lasting preventative treatments can help keep your pet safe from these creepy crawlers and your home free from infestation.
Dan Markwalder, DVM and leading expert in Lyme disease and prevention, shares advice that will help keep your dog safe outside this summer, with a special emphasis on protecting pets from fleas, ticks and Lyme disease. He’ll also outline the signs and symptoms associated with Lyme disease in pets.

The interview is courtesy: Merck Animal Health

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The post HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE THIS SUMMER appeared first on Good News!.

Listen to “TICKS AND MOSQUITOES WITH DR. JORGE PARADA” on Spreaker.

For the live interview, watch below:

Don’t Get “Ticked Off”

This Summer

Mosquito & Tick-Borne Illnesses Are on the Rise
The Secret to Beating Their Bites This Summer Might be More Obvious Than You May Think

It’s one of the most annoying sounds that invade our space in the summer…that BZZZZZ from a mosquito. And, where there’s a buzz comes a bite, oftentimes followed by itching and swelling. Unfortunately, mosquitoes aren’t the only summer pest that causes a mean bite. Ticks are also on the prowl for a blood meal – and humans make great hosts.

Although tiny, these biting pests can leave bigger problems than just itchy welts on the skin. They are known to transmit germs and pathogens that cause Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Zika virus and other dangerous diseases. What’s more, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that disease cases from mosquito, tick and flea bites tripled in the U.S. from 2004 to 2016. This makes prevention of the utmost importance as we head into the summer months.

The good news is your audience doesn’t have to spend the summer months cooped up inside to avoid the wrath of mosquitoes and ticks. There are steps they can take to help keep these pests at bay while enjoying the great outdoors. And, the keys to doing so might be more obvious than people may think.

Jorge Parada, MD, MPH, infectious disease specialist and medical advisor for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA)

• How to properly apply insect repellent for maximum effectiveness
• Other proactive steps to fight off mosquito and tick bites this summer
• The best at-home bite remedies
• Instructions for properly removing a tick from the skin
• Who’s at greatest risk for mosquito and tick-borne diseases? What are the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis?

This interview is sponsored by National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

#ticks #mosquitoes #jorge #parada #ticked #off #summer #borne #illnesses #rise #secret #beating #bites #sounds #space #buzz #itching #swelling #prowl #blood #meal #humans #hosts #skin #disease #cases #flea #insect #pest #management

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