Ticks and fleas on dogs and cats can spread disease to the whole household
I read an article in Thanh Niên about ticks and fleas on pets, and I wanted to pass it on, because many people still think this is only a problem for dogs and cats.
According to the article, a veterinary hospital in Hue keeps receiving cases of blood parasites transmitted by ticks and fleas. Dr Trần Công Bằng, Director of MB Vet Hospital Hue, said that in just two weeks the hospital had received and treated more than 30 dogs with the disease, and he called the situation alarming. Ticks transmit the blood parasites Babesia and Ehrlichia, causing dogs to run high fevers, bleed from the nose, pass blood in their urine, and die if they are not treated in time. Many dogs died after being brought in, because their owners had been complacent.
The risk to people matters just as much. A tick that drops to the floor can crawl onto a bed and bite a person, possibly causing spotted fever or Lyme disease. In children, roundworms from dogs and cats (Toxocara) can cause long-lasting itchy skin, hives, coughing, blurred vision and even convulsions. Hookworms can enter through the skin of bare feet on ground contaminated with animal feces, and dog tapeworm (Echinococcus) can form cysts in the liver and lungs, which usually require surgery.
Dr Bằng gives some specific advice: deworm regularly (puppies and kittens every two weeks until three months old, then monthly until six months, and adult dogs every three months), do not feed raw meat, do not let pets roam where animal droppings are, wash hands with soap after playing with pets, clean up feces every day and disinfect the floor. Do not let pets lick your face or sleep in your bed until ticks and worms have been fully controlled. If a child has itchy skin or hives that keep coming back after contact with a pet, they should be tested.
To me, the article makes a simple point: looking after your pet properly is also looking after the health of the whole family.
Source: Thanh Niên
According to the article, a veterinary hospital in Hue keeps receiving cases of blood parasites transmitted by ticks and fleas. Dr Trần Công Bằng, Director of MB Vet Hospital Hue, said that in just two weeks the hospital had received and treated more than 30 dogs with the disease, and he called the situation alarming. Ticks transmit the blood parasites Babesia and Ehrlichia, causing dogs to run high fevers, bleed from the nose, pass blood in their urine, and die if they are not treated in time. Many dogs died after being brought in, because their owners had been complacent.
The risk to people matters just as much. A tick that drops to the floor can crawl onto a bed and bite a person, possibly causing spotted fever or Lyme disease. In children, roundworms from dogs and cats (Toxocara) can cause long-lasting itchy skin, hives, coughing, blurred vision and even convulsions. Hookworms can enter through the skin of bare feet on ground contaminated with animal feces, and dog tapeworm (Echinococcus) can form cysts in the liver and lungs, which usually require surgery.
Dr Bằng gives some specific advice: deworm regularly (puppies and kittens every two weeks until three months old, then monthly until six months, and adult dogs every three months), do not feed raw meat, do not let pets roam where animal droppings are, wash hands with soap after playing with pets, clean up feces every day and disinfect the floor. Do not let pets lick your face or sleep in your bed until ticks and worms have been fully controlled. If a child has itchy skin or hives that keep coming back after contact with a pet, they should be tested.
To me, the article makes a simple point: looking after your pet properly is also looking after the health of the whole family.
Source: Thanh Niên
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