Guest Post by Ann Gapasin: 3 Ways to Combat Ticks and Fleas

This article is a guest post by Ann Gapasin. I hope you find this as interesting and helpful as I did! Enjoy! -Kacie

3 Ways to Combat Ticks and Fleas

Is your dog continuously scratching?
Have your discovered mysterious rashes around your body or a family member’s?

It’s possible that you have a tick or flea problem at home!

Thankfully, we’ve put together 3 ways to combat ticks and fleas written by experts.

Are Ticks and Fleas Deadly?

Ticks are stubborn arachnids that are known vectors of many diseases that affect humans and other animals. Some of these diseases include:

Lyme Disease

Among all tick-borne diseases, this is the most common in the United States. The data of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that it affects approximately 300,000 people every year.

Is Lyme Disease Caused by Ticks?

It is important to understand that Lyme disease is not caused by ticks; only carried by them.

The disease is caused by a bacterium that ticks unintentionally transmit to humans and other animals. When ticks bite a host during the feeding process, the bacterium is injected into the host. The tick saliva, which accompanies the bacterium, weakens the immune response against the bacterium. This creates a favorable environment for the bacterium, allowing them to multiply and then migrate to other areas of the body.

Usual symptoms are a headache, muscle weakness, fever, and rashes. These worsen as the bacterium starts to invade the internal organs. If not treated immediately, the infection can result in severe damage to the heart, joints, and the nervous system.

Treatment is widely available. However, Lyme disease shares symptoms with many other diseases, making it difficult to diagnose. For chronic Lyme treatment, go to Sponaugle Wellness Institute.

Powassan Encephalitis

According to Dr. Sponaugle, ticks shouldn’t be underestimated. This was confirmed by a study published in 2013, which found out that a variant of Powassan virus was present in the tick samples taken from Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Worcester, and Sullivan counties within a 5-year period.

Powassan encephalitis can cause brain inflammation, which can rapidly progress to death. Sadly, no treatment or vaccine is yet available. The best thing to do is to avoid tick bites and seek treatment immediately if bitten.

Flea-borne Diseases That Affect Dogs and Humans

Tapeworm Infection

Tapeworms are loathsome parasites, and unfortunately, they can be transmitted by fleas to dogs and humans.

Dogs become infected when they ingest tapeworm-infected adult fleas. This usually happens when they are grooming themselves. Transmission to humans occurs through accidental ingestion, usually by small children.

Symptoms of tapeworm infection include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, bloating, fatigue, and nutrient deficiency. Treatment is available and the standard choice is praziquantel.

Bartonella Infection

Bartonella infection is caused by bacteria species of the genus Bartonella. Dogs and humans can get it through flea bites and flea ingestion.

Symptoms slightly vary depending on the species that bit the host. The most common are a headache, fever, muscle ache, and abdominal pain. Treatment is also based on the causative agent.

3 Ways to Combat Ticks and Fleas

Madre de Cacao

This tropical deciduous tree is popular among farmers due to its pesticidal properties. And it is also effective against ticks and fleas.

Madre de Cacao leaves is an excellent source of “coumarin”, an organic compound with anticoagulant properties. Coumarin, in practical doses, is totally safe for dogs and humans. But even minimal doses are harmful to ticks. When coumarin is absorbed by ticks and fleas, their ability to create clots is inhibited significantly, resulting in internal hemorrhage.

Aloe Vera

The tissues of aloe vera are filled with water and active compounds, creating a slimy substance called “gel”. The gel has a soothing effect on the skin, which can help alleviate tick and flea bite. The sliminess of the gel can also make it hard for the ticks to maintain their attachment to the skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider is a vinegar produced from fermented apple juice. It is used in making vinaigrettes, marinades, chutneys, and salad dressings, so it is completely safe for tick and flea removal.

This product is acidic enough to dissolve the tick proteins and dissuade from staying on the surface applied with apple cider. Take note that ticks find their host through odors. So if your dog smells slightly acidic, ticks and fleas are unlikely to make it a host.

These remedies are only recommended for mild tick and flea infection. If your pet experiences recurring infection and has become particularly weak, it is advised to seek the help of a veterinarian. As mentioned earlier, ticks and fleas are vectors of certain diseases. Your dog has to be tested so the right treatment can be administered immediately.

Cleaning your yard and applying tick and flea control products will keep these disease-bearing diseases away from your pet and your family.

Written by Ann Gapasin