Paw Pals Pet Sitting

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in Northern VA

(703) 345-1695
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Be Advised: Diseases Contracted by Fleas, Ticks, Mosquitoes and Worms

June 18, 2015 by Mary Telesz

Paw-Pals-Dog-in-the-Woods-600x450As a pet owner we know that fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and worms are bad. But what can really happen if our furry friends get attacked by a disease carrying pest? Here is a list of the most common diseases that fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and worms carry and how it affects your pet.

1. LYME DISEASE: Transmitted by deer ticks this can cause fever, weakness, loss of appetite, and lameness. In extreme cases Lyme disease has resulted in kidney failure, seizures, and paralysis. If contracted, Lyme disease generally is treated with medication.

2. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER: Transmitted primarily by Rocky Mountain wood ticks and American dog ticks that are infected with Rickettsia rickettsii. In mild cases this causes fever, arthritis, difficulty breathing and swelling. If left untreated, this disease results in damage to blood vessels and the inability for blood to clot. This is a life-threatening disease that can be treated with antibiotics if caught in time.Paw-Pals-Tick-Identification-Chart

3. CANINE EHRLICHIOSIS: Transmitted from infected Brown dog ticks and American dog ticks this is a very serious disease. It directly attacks the hosts’ white blood cells affecting the liver, spleen and lymph nodes. It is very important to catch this disease early to prevent death. Acute cases can be treated with antibiotics; however, in severe cases blood transfusions have been used.

4. TICK PARALYSIS: Transmitted from the toxin in tick saliva from prolonged feeding. For paralysis to occur a tick would have to be feeding on the host for at least 4 days. This is a life threatening disease that causes a progressive paralysis until death. The only way to avoid is to prevent tick bites and promptly remove ticks.

5. HEARTWORM DISEASE: Transmitted by infected mosquitoes this disease can eventually cause heart failure and death. There are separate medications to kill adult and immature heart worms. Contact your veterinarian for more information.Paw-Pals-Mosquito-Bite-600x457

6. WEST NILE VIRUS: Transmitted by infected mosquitoes this disease attacks the immune system. It can also cause convulsions. The only treatment is to provide medicine for the symptoms. It will not eradicate the disease.

7. DERMATITIS FROM FLEA BITES: Transmitted by flea saliva. This is an uncomfortable allergic reaction that can cause reddened skin and hair loss. Treatment is to eliminate the fleas through flea wash and flea medication.Paw-Pals-How-a-Pet-gets-worms

8. TAPEWORMS: Transmitted from infected fleas can usually be spotted from an increase in appetite resulting in weight loss. Tapeworm medication from your veterinarian is the only way to get rid of tapeworms.

Only with our help can dogs and cats avoid these diseases. Make sure your pet is up to date on shots and is given the proper medication to prevent flea and tick bites. Be diligent in mosquito repellent and remember to check for ticks regularly. With this knowledge your pet will live a happy, healthy life.Paw-Pals-Healthy-Dog

Filed Under: Pet Safety

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

professional dog walking software

Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 22151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
5.0
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
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