While summer typically sees a surge in flea issues, the cooling nights of autumn encourage us to heat our homes, inadvertently creating ideal conditions for flea populations to thrive.
With a recent incident of a parasite-related dog fatality in New Zealand, it’s an important reminder to dog owners to make sure their pets are up to date with their flea and tick treatment. The parasite Babesia gibsoni was detected in a dog in the Canterbury region this week (read more about the parasite from the Ministry for Primary Industries here). This is the first time it has been detected here, and the focus is on preventing infection is around treating dogs with tick treatments or combined with flea treatments, and limiting fighting behaviour as it can spread via dog bites too.
Here we dive a little deeper into fleas in particular - which are not the cause of this parasite but which are often forgotten at this time of year. To combat these pests effectively, it's essential to know some key facts about fleas:
Preference for warm, humid environments: Female fleas favour warm, humid places like heated homes for egg development.
Life Cycle and Reproduction: Flea eggs are tiny (about 0.5mm) and can go unnoticed. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs daily and up to 2,000 eggs over her lifetime. Once hatched, larvae hide in fabrics before pupating in a cocoon, which can stay dormant for months until favorable conditions trigger adulthood.
Sensory Abilities: Fleas have sophisticated sensory organs, including heat sensors on their antennae, helping them locate hosts based on body heat and carbon dioxide emissions.
Feeding Habits: Adult fleas can consume up to 15 times their body weight in blood during each feeding session, lasting from minutes to hours.
Remarkable Leaping Abilities: Despite their small size, fleas can leap up to 13 inches horizontally, about 200 times their body length, making them adept at reaching hosts of various sizes.
Disease Transmission: While not primary disease carriers, fleas can indirectly spread illnesses like tapeworm infections if ingested by pets during grooming.
Allergic Reactions: The most common issue with flea bites is allergic reactions to their saliva, causing itching, rashes, and potential secondary infections due to scratching.
Given the prevalence of external and internal parasites (worms, fleas, ticks), it's crucial to maintain regular preventive measures.
Breaking the flea life cycle requires diligence and regular preventive measures, including checking pets for fleas, using preventive treatments, and maintaining clean living areas to reduce infestation risks. Understanding these facts empowers pet owners to protect their furry companions and homes effectively.
If dog owners are concerned about their pets’ health, their first port of call should be their veterinarian.