Parasite protection tips

Why year-round protection matters in Cyprus

Fleas and ticks thrive in warm weather, and our mild winters mean they stay active for most of the year. Some parasites also carry diseases that can make pets seriously ill, so prevention is about more than itching.

Fleas

Look for scratching, nibbling at the skin, especially near the tail, and tiny black specks in the coat. If you place those specks on damp white paper and they turn reddish-brown, that is flea dirt.

• Most of a flea problem lives in the home, not on the pet: eggs and larvae hide in carpets, bedding and furniture.
• Treat every dog and cat in the household at the same time, and wash bedding on a hot cycle.
• Fleas also spread tapeworm, so a flea problem usually means worming too.

Ticks

Ticks wait in long grass and scrub and attach to dogs, and sometimes cats, as they pass. They can transmit diseases such as ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, which affect the blood and can be serious.

• Check your dog after every walk, especially around the ears, neck, armpits and between the toes.
• Remove ticks promptly with a tick-removal tool, twisting gently without squeezing the body.
• A tick preventive that kills or repels ticks quickly reduces the chance of disease being passed on.

Sandflies and leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a serious disease of dogs spread by the bite of tiny sandflies, and it is found in Cyprus and across the Mediterranean. Signs can take months or years to appear and include weight loss, skin problems, hair loss around the eyes and long nails.

• Sandflies are most active from dusk to dawn in the warmer months, so keep dogs indoors at those times where you can.
• Use a repellent collar or spot-on product proven to work against sandflies.
• Ask us about vaccination and regular testing for dogs at higher risk.

Worms

Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are common, and some can pass to people, particularly children. Adult pets usually need worming at least every three months, and young or high-risk pets more often. Puppies and kittens are wormed every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until six months.

Heartworm

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and lives in the heart and blood vessels of the lungs. It is found around the Mediterranean, and a monthly preventive during the mosquito season protects your dog far more easily than treating an established infection.

This article is general guidance for pet owners. Every pet is different, so ask us about your own pet before changing its care.

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