Not only pets and their owners enjoy the summer…

So too do fleas, mites and lungworms…here is a little information about them and suitable products for their prevention and control.



Your pet may come in contact with fleas through direct contact with other infected animals but also through indirect contact if your pet has been in areas where flea larvae are present. A small flea problem will quickly escalate to an infestation, as one flea can lay up to 27 eggs per day, and fleas complete their lifecycle much quicker during the the warmer summer months. Fleas do not just live on the pet; flea eggs and larvae will be present in the carpets and bedding and any areas where your pet normally goes. Signs of flea infestation (caused by the flea biting your pet to ingest a blood meal) generally include scratching and unease, and in severe cases a wet eczema may develop. Fleas also act as intermediate hosts for tapeworms so a pet with fleas should also be given a broad spectrum wormer.


Angiostrongylus vasorum, the dog lungworm

Lungworm is a parasite that infects dogs living in the heart and major blood vessels and if left untreated may cause serious illness in your pet. The parasite is carried by slugs and snails and your pet becomes infected when either purposefully or accidently ingesting them. The signs of infection may include breathing problems and exercise intolerance, poor blood clotting and resultant haemorrhages and occasionally other changes such as loss of appetitie and vomiting/diarrhoea. It is a disease that we now encounter regularly and is increasing in prevalence in the Dublin area.


Surface mites such as ear mites can cause intense irritation in the ear canal of both dogs and cats. Burrowing mites such as sarcoptes and demodex through their tunneling action cause intense itching. The sarcoptic mange mite is prevalent on foxes and they commonly infect pets through indirect contact with foxes (for this reason it is sometimes called fox’s mange).

What can we do to help?

It is fortunate that there are now prescription only medications available from your local Anicare branch to both treat and prevent these parasites from being a problem. Call into any of our branches and ask about a suitable effective product that will treat both the pet and in the case of fleas the pet’s environment.


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