for them too it’s back to school

For half of French people who have a cat or a dog, the start of the school year is an intense time when we can tend to lack attention for our pet. However, it is the right time to inspect for fleas and to vaccinate it.

The start of the school year, often busy, is a time when we can sometimes pay more attention to our children, or to work, than to our pets. However, Dr. Françoise Bussiéras draws attention to fleas, which tend to develop when it is hot, with a peak at the end of summer, says the veterinarian and general secretary of the National Union of Liberal Practice Veterinarians.

It may be time to get out a special comb and, if you find any, use a treatment to eradicate them. In addition to causing severe itching, fleas can promote the development of an allergy in your pet.

Another risk this season is catching leptospirosis, also known as rat disease. Rats often spread the bacteria in their urine, and the risk is higher in the fall, when the rain returns. This bacteria can be found in puddles. Once contracted, this disease can cause irreversible damage to the animal. These symptoms first appear as fever or diarrhea. There is also a risk of transmission to humans. Fortunately, there is a vaccine, so now is a good time to vaccinate your pet.

A quick word about food. There is a current fad for dogs, says Dr. Bussiéras: a diet based on raw food, sometimes meat straight from the bone.
But this is a bad idea. There is a risk of injury. The veterinarian explains that she receives dogs whose palates have been perforated by a bone. She also warns about the bacterial risks associated with eating raw meat. For the dog, but also for the humans who live with it… So it should be avoided.

Since we’re talking about contaminated food, one last piece of advice: clean the kibble container before each use. Whether it’s the bowl or the box in which you store them. Without it, it’s a breeding ground for mites and they are the main cause of allergies in dogs.