Pet owners everywhere have likely dealt with fleas on their dogs or cats. While fleas are a common problem with furry pets, many pet owners may not be aware of the most important reasons to keep fleas off their pets and out of their homes. Not only do fleas cause you and your pets to be miserable and itchy, fleas can cause serious medical problems for your pets, you and your family. Check out the reasons it is vital to maintain flea control for your pets and your home.

Cat Fleas Carry Intestinal Parasite Larvae

Cat fleas are found on cats, but they are also commonly found on dogs. Cat fleas have been found to carry the double pore dog tapeworm. If you have children in your home, the threat of the double pore dog tapeworm is greater. If your child ingests a flea that is carrying a tape worm larvae, he or she get an intestinal parasite. While the presence of a tapeworm in your child's intestinal tract is not generally life-threatening, it is vital you seek medical treatment as soon as you know there is one. You can see the segments of a tapeworm in your child's bowel movements. The segments look like pieces of white rice and they are generally moving. Your pets are also at high risk for tapeworms if they have cat fleas. Cat fleas are responsible for tapeworms found in dogs and puppies.

Pets And People Can Be Allergic To Flea Bites

If you, a family member or your pets have a flea allergy, a bite can cause serious consequences. If someone has an allergic reaction to a flea bite, they could experience anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms of this type of allergic reaction include swelling of the face, lips, mouth, neck and hands, a rash, shortness of breath and intense itching. If swelling becomes uncontrolled, an allergic reaction could cause suffocation when the neck swells enough to interfere with the airway.

Your pets can also suffer with flea allergies that can cause episodes of hair loss, rash and intense itching. For this reason, maintaining flea control in your home is vital. Contacting a professional pest control company for regular treatments at your home to prevent fleas is the best idea if you suspect anyone having an allergy to them.

Bartonella Is Caused By Flea Bites

Bartonella, also referred to as cat-scratch fever, can be serious and requires a round of antibiotics for curing it. If your cat is carry the bacteria that causes bartonella, it can be transmitted to you if your cat scratches you. Your cat can get bartonella from a flea bite. If the flea is carrying bartonella bacteria, it is transmitted to him or her through its bite. Taking special care to maintain flea control is important to prevent the spread of this infectious disease to your pet and to you and your family.

Professional pest control services are the best way to prevent fleas from infesting your home and yard. Your pet's vet can help you provide the best flea prevention program for your pets.

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