And so September has arrived again, autumn has arrived. We've all returned to our city apartments, taking our pets with us. Flea collars have been cut off and thrown away, the dogs and cats have been washed, scented, and groomed, and we, accordingly, are relaxed and calm.
And really, what's there to worry about? Summer is over, and the night temperatures are already almost below freezing, so it seems like the flea and tick problem is a thing of the past, and won't be around until next spring at the earliest!
But, alas… Autumn is the most dangerous season. Dogs are most often bitten and infected with piroplasmosis by ticks of the genera Dermacentor and Rhipicephalus in autumn! Be a good pet owner, don't hesitate to spend the extra 500 rubles and treat your pet with flea and tick medication!
Any type will do: Frontline, Advantage, Advantix. And despite what anyone says, our inexpensive, domestic Bars can also protect your pet from ticks and fleas. The only thing to remember is that treatments with our products should be done more frequently! Also, if your pet is allergic, Frontline is better; it has lower toxicity.
The same question is often asked: which is better – drops or spray? They are equally good, but if you have a small animal, up to 10 kilograms, you'll find it easier to treat it with a spray; if it's larger, drops will do. Do you need a collar if you've treated your dog with drops or spray? Yes, you do; you can never have too much protection!
Kiltix and Hartz collars have proven to be the most effective. There's also a vaccine against piroplasmosis, though veterinarians are divided on its effectiveness, and it's extremely difficult to obtain in Russia. However, I'll give you the name: PIRODOG , produced by the French company Merital.
But even after treatment with all the medications, trouble can still occur. Then you'll see the first symptoms of piroplasmosis in your pet: lethargy, weakness, fever (up to 42ºC), pale or yellowish mucous membranes, reddish- or greenish-brown urine, and refusal to eat. Take the veterinary medication Veriben and use it according to the instructions. Then call your veterinarian immediately!
A little more about Veriben. This veterinary medication has no analogues and is available over-the-counter at any pet store. Veriben has saved more than one dog's life, so it's best to buy it and keep it around, just in case! Piroplasmosis is a disease for which the rule of thumb is: the earlier treatment begins, the greater the likelihood of success!
Now, a little about cats. Your kitty lives indoors and doesn't go outside, so you certainly have nothing to worry about? Absolutely not! Cats living in apartment buildings need to be treated for fleas and ticks almost as often as cats living in the countryside.
In the fall, rats flock from all the nearby garbage dumps and other seedy places into our basements. And that would be fine, but they also bring their “tenants”—fleas, ticks, and other parasites—with them. From the basements, the insects find their way into the entryway, and from there, they comfortably ride on our pants and coattails into our apartments. And here, our soft, fluffy kitties await them—they're simply beautiful!
So, if you don't want to treat the consequences, it's better to practice prevention! Treat your cat with one of the flea control products I mentioned above, and most importantly, regularly treat the hallway floor and any rugs in front of the front door! Products like Neostomosan or Butox-50 are suitable for this.
The best treatment is prevention! This statement applies not only to fleas and ticks, but to all other types of parasites as well. Treat your cats and dogs regularly for fleas, ticks, and worms, and don't forget to keep them up to date with their vaccinations. Love your animals and always remember: we are responsible for those we've tamed!
