FLEAS: Fleas are tiny wingless creatures with legs well developed for jumping. They live on both cats and dogs, and are not averse to biting humans if given the chance. Fleabites itch, due to the fluid the flea secretes when it bites. The fluid actually stops the blood from clotting and the flea is assured of a free flow of blood during his meal. Because the flea eggs which are laid in our pet's fur often fall off onto its bedding, as well as the carpets and cracks in the flooring, it is essential that these areas, as well as the dog or cat be treated regularly with a suitable product. There are many shampoos, powders, drops, dips and collars available for the control of fleas. NOT all of these products are safe for kittens and puppies though, so make sure that the product you choose is recommended by your own vet. If you neglect fleas on your dog, you will be encouraging eczema, rashes, debility and anaemia, and the general unpleasantness of a constantly scratching pet.

TICKS: We always think of ticks as being rather horrible, bloated creatures sucking our pet's blood…they unfortunately can cause severe illness and the death of a well-loved pet. If you find a tick on your pet, no matter whether it be of the “large & blue” or “small & red” varieties, you should watch very carefully for any signs of illness for at least 21 days after you made the discovery.

Watch for the first symptoms, particularly of Biliary Fever and Ehlichiosis. The first things you will notice are a loss of appetite and a general listlessness. As the disease progresses the eye membranes will assume a pale pink, almost white, colouration. The faeces and urine will take on an extremely dark yellow appearance. You should NOT wait for any of these symptoms to develop – as soon as you suspect all is not well with your pet and you think there is a chance he may have been bitten by ticks, even if you didn't find any – consult your vet. Biliary Fever is treatable in the early stages, but if you leave it, the chances of saving your pet become very slender indeed. Ehlichiosis is also a fever with similar symptoms.

Not all ticks carry the biliary parasite. Some cause severe abscesses at the site of the bite, others cause paralysis. As a matter of fact, biliary is not confined solely to dogs, cats can and do contract the disease, albeit far less commonly than dogs.

Prevention in the case of ticks is far better than cure! There are many ways ticks can be effectively controlled. Regular dipping and shampooing with a recognised anti-tick product, and the application of a tick collar to your pet, will all help to keep him free of ticks. Do not forget – you need to treat his sleeping quarters as well to be confident of eradication. Cats should NEVER be dipped or powdered with a dog formulation, as this could be fatal. Like puppies, cats and kittens must be treated with an anti-tick product designed specifically for their more gentle systems. Please remember to BRUSH your cat or kitten thoroughly after powdering.

MITES: Mites are extremely small parasites, which affect the skin of animals in various ways, normally by burrowing into the skin through a hair follicle. Diseases transmitted by mites are normally quite easy to spot on the skin of your pet, some of the important ones to watch out for are:

We have almost covered all the more common insect pests, which could cause harm to your pets. However, you should know a little about the two kinds of flies that can cause your dog discomfort.

FLIES: The first of these is the Stable Fly. These flies attack the tips of the ears of dogs, causing oozing wounds, encrusted with serum and blood. Fly repellents as directed by your vet should be used daily, and steps should be taken to control the fly population. The second is the well-known Blow Fly (recognised by their metallic blue-green colour). These flies will lay their eggs in open wounds on your dog's body. When larvae hatch and feed, they cause the original wound to become enlarged, which in turn attracts other Blow Flies and a continuous chain of infection is set up. Severe pain, irritation, secondary infection and toxaemia will result if left untreated. No wound should be left untreated, especially in summer. Longhaired dogs which have diarrhoea must be carefully washed, and the matted hair clipped away, as the faeces soiled hair is attractive to Blow Flies as well.

PARASITES CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO DISTINCT GROUPS: Those that attack from outside the body, for example the tick, and those that enter the internal organs, for example worms. We have looked at the external parasites, let's take a brief look at worms.

Nearly all dogs can be automatically assumed to be hosts to worms of one sort or another if not regularly dosed, and most of these parasites are transmittable to humans. It is, therefore, in the best interests of both your own health and that of your pets, to treat both cats and dogs for internal parasites. The two worms that concern us most are the Roundworm and Tapeworm. Both of these have devised sophisticated methods of gaining entry into animals' bodies, either through the mouth when the animals lick the faeces of affected animals, or even through the milk of feeding bitches to their puppies. Hookworms for example can burrow through the skin. Dogs and cats with worms are thin yet have protruding bellies, dull coats and may be anaemic. Pets should be dewormed regularly, adult animals at least two to three times a year, and puppies and kittens may have to undergo a stringent dosing programme (every two weeks) until infestation is overcome. When dosing for Tapeworm, remember to control for fleas at the same time. Flea larvae often swallow tapeworm eggs and then the worm develops in the body of the flea, which, if swallowed, will re-infect the dog. One more parasite that can affect both you and your pet is Ringworm, which is not a worm at all but rather a fungal growth on the hair and skin. Hair falls out leaving a circular bald patch. The hairless area may be smooth or scaly. Ringworm spreads rapidly from one child or animal to another. Once Ringworm has been diagnosed, the vet will treat the animal. Ringworm is unattractive and unpleasant but not nearly the scourge it is sometimes made out to be. It should always be immediately treated, but has no serious or long-lasting effect on pets or children.