When you look at your dog scratching their fleas you may not think anything of it. However, if you know about some of the flea borne diseases you are going to end up running to the store for some flea medicine and figuring out how to eradicate the fleas from your yard and home. With that being the case, we are going to cover some of the diseases that are carried by fleas and ticks, that not only affect your pets, but can infect you as well.
Murine Typhus is one of those diseases. This is one that is carried by the fleas that are often found in fleas. This is a disease that while not usually deadly is going to cause you to have quite a bit of lasting after effects and can even cause rashes and if you leave it untreated for to long of a time period may require you to go to the hospital for treatment.
Mycoplasma haemofolis is another disease that can be transmitted to people from fleas and in some degree ticks. What the major issue is with this type of infection is the fact that you are going to end up having cases of anemia because this type of infection is often going to target the red blood cells. This in turn makes it impossible for the body to reproduce the red blood cells at a fast enough rate and needs to be taken care of properly.
Tapeworms are not something that you want to think about as a person, but it is something that you can contract from fleas. Yes, that is true you can get tapeworm. Thankfully it is not that common and mainly found in children who accidentally swallow a flea when they are outside playing in the yard, but still it can happen and does happen at times.
Lyme disease is a common and debilitating disease transmitted by ticks. Diagnosis and treatment can be a long time coming with much suffering and damage to the body while you wait to figure it out. According to the CDC, at least 300,000 known cases of Lyme disease occur in the USA each year. Look out for fatigue, flu like symptoms, and a bulls eye pattern rash. The good news is it is a bacterial infection that can be treated once properly diagnosed.
Cat scratch fever is another disease that can be passed along. This disease is usually caused by the cats being infected and then either licking a wound on people or having scratched or bitten the skin and allowed them to pass the disease on. This needs to be treated as it can affect the nervous system and in some cases can cause death.
Knowing about the common diseases that can be passed by fleas and ticks to pets and then to the owners is a good thing. By knowing about these common diseases you will typically go right out and find the proper medication for your dog to keep them and yourself safe from the diseases. Even if you don’t have fleas or ticks on your property, you’re only one walk in the neighborhood or park away from bringing them home. Take precautions to check yourself and your pets for fleas and ticks.
If you do have long grasses or a known infestation, it’s best to get the property treated right away. We can help with that. Contact us at 704-565-9894 today and schedule an appointment!