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WHAT IS THE LEISHMANIASIS MOSQUITO LIKE?

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Leishmaniosis is a parasitic disease that occurs in the Mediterranean basin and in South America and can affect dogs and people , being one of the most well-known parasitic diseases in humans . It is transmitted through the bite of a sandfly , a type of mosquito that bites mammals and birds. In addition, other animals (there are up to 70 species), such as hares, rats or opossums, act as reservoirs, that is, they are intermediaries in the transmission of the disease.

 

What is the body of the leishmaniasis mosquito like?

The sandfly that transmits leishmaniasis is a small insect , about 2-3 mm long, that does not emit a buzzing sound. It is light brown to yellowish brown and has a hairy body and wings, long thin antennae, and a proboscis that is longer than the head and is used by females to suck blood. The wings adopt a 45º angle when the mosquito is biting perched on the animal’s skin. There are more than 90 different species of sandflies that transmit leishmaniosis.

 

How does the leishmaniasis mosquito act?

Its activity takes place from sunset to sunrise , and the rest of the day is hidden in dark and cool places. It is more common in areas with vegetation and in places where minimum temperatures do not usually drop below 15ºC . For this reason, fluctuations in temperature can greatly affect the development of the parasite inside the body of the mosquito, causing it to be transmitted in areas where the disease did not exist before. In addition, it also needs moisture for the eggs to survive; puts them in cracks, holes, animal burrows, and tree roots . After the rain spikes, populations are reduced due to lack of daytime roosting sites for adults and because heavy rains lead to the death of immature stages. It cannot fly if there is a strong wind and the flight distance is very short; Forages for food no more than 50 meters from its breeding site.

 

What life stages does the leishmaniasis mosquito have?

Its life cycle goes through four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. One week after sucking blood, the female lays about 60-80 long, deep brown eggs in moist places rich in organic matter. The eggs hatch releasing the larvae, only half a millimeter long, a week after laying. The pupa is light yellow and retains the cuticle of the larva. The adult is fully developed about 2 months after the eggs are laid.

 

How does the leishmaniasis mosquito transmit the disease?

To bite the dog, the female sandfly, which needs to suck blood to feed and form eggs, lands on its skin. The transmission of leishmaniasis takes place through this bite when the sandfly has previously bitten an infected dog . Each female sandfly usually bites 3 or 4 times and then dies, usually before they are two weeks old.

 

How can we control the leishmaniasis mosquito?

The usual thing is to resort to fumigating houses and animal shelters with insecticides. And if it is known where the mosquitoes rest, it will also be useful to spray these places. 

As for prevention in dogs, it is best to use authorized insecticides or repellents (collars or sprays, for example) during periods of sandfly activity. It is also important to bear in mind that if we introduce infected dogs into leishmaniosis-free areas, we must take extreme precautions against sandflies, since we will have a real risk of spreading the disease to previously free areas. In this sense, the application of repellents is essential to control the disease collectively. 

And finally, it is also interesting to remember that dog walks should preferably take place in areas far from rivers, stagnant waters, swampy areas, etc., and during the day, trying to avoid the hours between sunset and sunrise, since during these hours mosquitoes are more frequent.

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Complete guide to deworming baby kittens

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Today’s topic is fundamental. It is about knowing how to deworm kittens step by step .

If you have a cat, there is a series of clinical care that you must take into account to ensure that it is in full health. One of the most common problems among baby kittens is parasites , which is why the first deworming is essential.

Deworming is the necessary process to eliminate the different parasites that your pet may have from the digestive system or fur. It is a very important process, because if you do not deworm your cat, its health can seriously worsen and it can infect other animals and even people. It is contagious so it is another reason to proceed with deworming as soon as possible.

Types of parasites that we fight when deworming baby kittens

There are two very different types of parasites depending on where they are located:

Internal parasites . They are found inside the body, mainly in the intestine, but also in the heart and lungs, among other organs. The most common are protozoa and intestinal worms , which can cause serious obstructions and wounds in the intestine. Its symptoms are fatigue, cough, swollen abdomen, lack of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. You must be especially careful with these parasites if your cat is a puppy, since they can cause a delay in growth.
If you need more information, do not miss our article ” Frequent intestinal parasites in cats ”

External parasites . Also called ectoparasites, they live on the outside of animals, either on the skin, on the hair or in the ears. The best known are the famous fleas , which are really annoying for the animal and feed on blood hidden in the fur. Mites (causing scabies), ticks or lice are also in this group . For fleas, there are special combs to tear them off.

Internal deworming of baby kittens

There are also different formats for internal parasites: tablets or pills to deworm cats , pastes or even pipettes , which are ideal for adult cats for whom it is “mission impossible” to give them something by mouth. For this reason it is essential that when your cat is small and you need to deworm it, that you do it as soon as possible, since puppies are much more vulnerable than adult cats.
Whether it is an adult cat or a puppy, it is important that you go to your veterinarian first so that he can advise you and tell you what is best for your pet. Remember that each cat is different and requires different care.

External deworming of kittens

There are several methods to deworm cats . For external parasites you can find flea combs, tweezers to remove ticks, special shampoos, pipettes , collars or antiparasitic sprays for cats and even products with insecticides for the home.
How to deworm a baby cat?
When it comes to treating external parasites, flea collars are usually quite effective. The only drawback is that most of them are recommended for kittens that are already 4-10 weeks old. If your cat is much smaller, there are other anti-flea spray products that can be applied to two-day-old cats with great safety for the little one.

If you have gone to the vet and they have given you a treatment for your kitten’s internal parasites, you will have to face the task of how to give a cat medicine . Not knowing how to deworm cats can become a real battle.

Cats are very stubborn and if they are not calm, they may try to defend themselves against your “attack” tooth and nail. Learn to calm your cat with these simple steps so that you can administer the medicine comfortabl

How often is a kitten dewormed?

Knowing how to deworm cats is very important, but it is also important to know when to do it. The ideal is to deworm a cat for the first time between a month and a half and 4 months of life, with a dose at 6 weeks, another at 8 weeks and then at 3 and 4 months. However, when we get very baby kittens, weaned before their time, it may be necessary to do it at two or three weeks of life with paste or syrup for the internal and spray for the external.

Finally, take a look at our comparison between pipettes, collars and sprays to deworm cats and choose the option that best suits the needs of your cat. You can also visit the post on the best antiparasitics for dogs and cats for more information and take a look at our infographic:

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Informative guide to deworm an adult dog correctly

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Deworming is a very important preventive measure to take care of our dog’s health . With it we will avoid infestations by fleas and ticks , as well as by internal parasites.

Any type of infestation by parasites not only causes discomfort in the animal, but can also be very dangerous for its health. They can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, illnesses and negatively affect vital organs .

Some of the parasites in dogs are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans. Therefore, if you have a dog, it is essential that you know how deworming should take place. Keep reading!

Why should we deworm our adult dog?
What happens if I don’t deworm my dog? Through deworming , both internal and external, of a dog , you will ensure that your pet is free from suffering from any disease that parasites can cause. In this way, it will boast a hair of ten and the appearance of worms in the feces will be avoided. This way they will not suffer diarrhea or other diseases that are associated with the infestation by parasites .

Finally, you may be interested in our comparison of the best antiparasitics . Discover the duration and effectiveness of the different brands of collars and pipettes to deworm dogs and thus choose the most appropriate one for your pet.

How often should adult dogs be dewormed?
Internal deworming of dogs is recommended at least every 3 months, one for each season of the year.

In the case of external deworming of dogs , it will depend on the duration of the product and the brand you choose. It can be every month or every four months, even every eight!

Sometimes, it is difficult to specify how often dogs must be dewormed because the deworming of adult dogs depends a lot on the lifestyle they lead and the environment where they live. A dog that lives at home and rarely goes outside does not need the same protection as a dog that lives outdoors or goes to the fields on a daily basis. In natural environments there is a greater number of parasites and, therefore, there is a greater probability of contagion. In these risky cases, a monthly deworming may be advisable , depending on the product. Always consult with your veterinarian the best option for your pet.

How to deworm an adult dog?
There are two ways to deworm a dog . On the one hand, there is internal deworming and, on the other, external deworming of your pet .

Internal deworming for adult dogs
Internal parasites can reach our dog through different routes of infection. In addition to direct contagion through breast milk, as we have seen in the article on deworming puppies , it can happen by smelling the ground or by eating some infected food.

Although the most common are intestinal worms, they can also be lung or heart. The most common contagion is through contact with the feces of already infested dogs . The eggs that they expel in the feces can remain alive for up to 5 years and can easily infect a healthy dog.

You can opt for palatable syrups, pills or tablets, the duration of which is different depending on the brand. In general, you have to deworm dogs internally every 3 months .

When does the deworming pill take effect?
The deworming pill takes effect a few hours after giving it, which means that, if you have parasites, you will begin to expel them the same day you take it.

External deworming for adult dogs
External deworming of adult dogs offers effective protection against fleas and ticks. Some more advanced products are also prepared for the leishmaniasis mosquito.

There are different methods to deworm dogs so you can choose the most comfortable for you or the one that best suits the needs of your furry.

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What is the best antiparasitic for dogs and cats?

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When you are going to incorporate a furry companion into your family, you are responsible for their health and well-being. Along with vaccinations and a proper diet, periodic deworming is essential for your companion to stay healthy.

It is important to establish an annual schedule of deworming, both internal and external, to protect it effectively, always using quality products and proven efficacy and advised by our veterinarian.

When we talk about parasites we must apply that of prevention is better than cure. It is much easier and recommended to always keep your pet protected against a possible infestation with the best antiparasitic for dogs and cats rather than waiting for them to appear.

Not seeing parasites doesn’t mean they don’t have them. Parasites are difficult to detect when there are still few of them and some require specific tests. If they are easily detectable with the naked eye on the skin (external parasites) or in the feces (internal parasites), it is a sign that the infestation may already be quite serious and therefore more expensive to eliminate.

In the specific case of fleas, they can be really annoying and difficult to eradicate. These reproduce quickly and not only invade your pet but can spread to areas of the home (especially textiles such as carpets and sofas), forcing you to have to resort to powerful insecticides to get rid of them permanently. We have an article especially on How to choose the best flea killer ?

best dewormer for dogs

To answer the question of what is the best antiparasitic for your dog , this infographic will help you visualize it. Brands like Frontline, Addvantix, Effitix, Seresto, Scalibor, Prevendog… are at the top of the best options.

Why are parasites so dangerous?

Parasites, whether internal or external, weaken your pet and cause all kinds of problems. Their bites are annoying and can cause skin conditions, but the most dangerous are the various diseases they transmit , some of them potentially fatal.

Sometimes, fleas, lice, ticks and mosquitoes act as intermediaries for internal parasites, transmitting them through their bite to the final host (dog, cat or human).

Among the common conditions caused by parasites, and that can be prevented using the best antiparasitic for dogs and cats, are the following:

Factors to choose a dewormer

There are many products on the market to protect our colleagues. Again, it is worth remembering another popular saying, cheap can be expensive, and that is that we should not skimp on something as important as deworming our pets.

Applying products of dubious efficacy and origin not only may not serve to protect them adequately, but we can also endanger them since they are powerful chemical substances that we apply topically or orally to their body. If we have doubts about any product we should consult with our veterinarian .

The antiparasitics for dogs and cats to use will depend on each specific case and the following factors:

  • If we live in a rural or urban area,
  • If we make frequent field trips,
  • The time of year (you have to focus more on the hot months)…

At the vet, if necessary, they can recommend the combination of several dewormers .

In the case of cats, even if they do not leave the house, it is important to keep them protected, since parasites can reach them through our clothes or shoes (something more frequent than we think), or if we have a dog through it. If you want to know more about this point, read our article ” Indoor cats also need deworming “

best dewormer for cats

Now is the time to answer which is the best antiparasitic for your cat , this infographic will help you see it at a glance. Brands like Frontline, Effipro, Strectis, Seresto are among the best options.

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