Tha Lifestyle Dec,2013 | Page 9

tha lifestyle as six weeks of age, with the second usually given two to four weeks later. Booster vaccinations are needed because the body’s immune response gradually fades over a time. They are often given every year, depending on the type of vaccine. Puppies should be vaccinated before they mix with other animals. External and Internal parasites Internal parasites – Worms The most important internal parasites are Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms and Heartworms. They have been known to cause blindness and, in rare cases, even death. Zoonosis is a medical term for diseases that can be transmitted directly from our pets to us. Therefore, be sure your pets and their environment are as worm free as possible. | Pets & fAMILIES External parasites – Ticks and Fleas Keep your pets flea and tick free. Fleas can cause itching, chewing and licking and the skin may become red and inflamed. Sometimes you might see fleas on your dog or you might see small dark flecks (flea “dirt”) in the fur and on the skin. If your dog has fleas, then it is important to treat the house, your dog and all other pets in the household. Your Veterinarian can recommend safe and effective products to use. The house should be treated with an effective household spray after vacuuming, because flea larvae and eggs live off the animal, in places like carpets and rugs. Particular attention should be paid to areas where your dog spends much of their time. Grooming also helps in the control of ticks and fleas. ....continued in Next Issue BEST PET GADGET The most common way these worms get transmitted is when dogs defecate in garden beds or sandboxes, and children come in contact when playing, or adults when gardening. Beaches can be another source of these creatures. Tapeworms are transmitted via fleas, and heartworms can be transmitted by mosquitos. Therefore, make sure your pets are free of the parasites. AɅ