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Protect Your Pet This Flea And Tick Season

Posted: 9/30/2011

Prevention is the best medicine when protecting your pet from the hazards of insect infestation.

(NAPSI)—With the warm weather comes lazy afternoons in the backyard and long walks through the park, enjoyed with both family members and pets. During these family outings, parents take extra precautions to shield their children from the strong rays of the sun and irritating insect bites. Pet owners must do the same, because as the temperatures rise, so does the threat of fleas and ticks to cats and dogs. A product is now available that makes protecting the beloved family pet from these harmful nuisances much more affordable and accessible.

Both ticks and fleas can be found across the United States and thrive during the warmer months. So while you and your pet are enjoying the summer sun and the great outdoors, fleas and ticks are inhabiting your surroundings and threatening the health of your pet and the comfort of your home. However, the threat does not exist solely in nature. Other dogs and cats with fleas can quickly infect your pet. Fleas can jump up to 200 times their body length, so it is easy for them to spread when dogs are socializing in the park or playing together at the beach.

Although they can be as small as a pinhead, fleas and ticks are capable of causing great pain and suffering to your pet. Ticks carry illnesses, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, that can infect pets as well as family members. Tapeworms can be transmitted by fleas and their bites can cause allergy dermatitis, the most common allergic skin disease of dogs and cats. If left untreated, fleas can even cause anemia.

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

Preventing fleas and ticks is easier and much more cost effective than treating an existing problem. Dr. Karen Halligan, veterinarian/shelter director/author, recommends applying a topical flea and tick treatment as the first line of defense against these dangerous pests.

Now pet owners can purchase a topical product at retail outlets nationwide that provides the same efficacy as leading brands but at a significantly lower cost. PetArmor™, a new over-the-counter flea and tick treatment, contains fipronil, the No. 1 vet-recommended active ingredient for combating fleas and ticks. PetArmor can be found at Walmart and Sam's Club locations across the country.

"During the summer, we protect ourselves and our children with insect repellents," said Halligan. "It is important for pet owners to do the same for their cats and dogs. With the introduction of a generic treatment like PetArmor, keeping pets healthy year-round has become much more affordable."

In addition to applying a topical treatment to your pet every 30 days, Dr. Halligan also recommends additional preventive measures around the home to control fleas and ticks:

• Vacuum on a daily basis to prevent or control a flea infestation. Pay special attention to carpets, cushioned furniture, and cracks and crevices in floors and along the baseboards.

• Wash pet and family bedding where pets may lie in hot soapy water every two to three weeks.

• Use a fine-toothed metal flea comb and run it along your pet's back or underbelly, making sure the comb comes in contact with the skin.

• To reduce ticks in your yard, keep play areas and playground equipment away from shrubs and bushes and other greenery.

• If you live near a wooded area, place wood chips or gravel between your lawn and the trees to keep ticks away from recreational areas.

Fleas and ticks can wreak havoc in your home, so it is important to take steps to treat your dog or cat quickly and effectively. For more information on protecting your pet, please visit www.facebook.com/petarmor.