Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and mites are the most common external parasites, and they cause not only skin problems in pets, but also infections and serious infectious or systemic diseases that can be transmitted to people.
Fleas are common parasites that mainly attack dogs and cats, causing intense itching. They can lay up to fifty eggs a day and the inside of the house offers ideal conditions for year-round living.
On the other hand, mites cause skin infections that can lead to different types of mange affecting cats and humans. Ticks can cause infection in dogs, cats and humans through other micro-organisms that trigger serious conditions such as Lyme disease.
Mosquitoes and sand flies cause chronic diseases such as Leishmaniasis. They are found throughout Spain and the ideal temperature for their activity is between 18°C and 22°C.
There are different prevention methods to keep these external parasites at bay from your pet:
A favourite method among pet owners, for its convenience and high efficacy, is using palatable tablets, which offer the pet weeks of protection. These products have insecticidal and acaricidal action. The parasites detach from the animal and die within a few hours.
Other very popular methods are flea collars or flea drops. They can be combined for greater efficacy. Nonetheless, it’s important to be aware that 48 hours must pass for full protection to be achieved. If you choose this method, you must take into account contact with water, as the more they get wet, the more the active ingredients in these products lose their effectiveness.
Visit your vet to determine a preventive plan against internal and external parasites that best suits your pet and its living conditions.