Contact: Anne Robertson
(602) 664-1218
arobertson@mail.farnam.com
Farnam Pet Introduces Reliable, Economical Flea and Tick Relief with Scratchex®
PHOENIX, Ariz. - (March 17,2004) When flea and tick season crawls into town, dogs and cats face months of agitation while parasites torment them. Insect infestation means chronic irritation and may pose several health risks to both four-legged and two-legged creatures alike. Consumers need to prepare for intervention and treatment before fleas, ticks and mosquitoes start attacking their pets.
When the warm and humid weather arrives, a comprehensive program is necessary to eradicate insects from pets and the home. According to the Columbia Hospital in Columbia, Md., only two of the 250 species of fleas found in the Unites States infest dogs and cats. But the buggers can complete a life cycle in 16 days and 10 females have the potential to multiply to 250,000 fleas in 30 days. Their eggs and larvae can be found every place the pet has slept or visited - from the couch, to the kitchen floor, living room rug or the lawn.
Ticks can transmit disease-causing organisms to pets and their owners. Humans can become infected with debilitating illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and more.
Scratchex®, a widely accessible, economical solution to the problems posed by fleas and ticks, offers a variety of uses from collars, to a spray, shampoo and stripe-on formulas. The anti-flea and tick line kills the offending bugs, cleans with shampoo, and provides a long-lasting control to ward off re-infestation.
"The challenges associated with fleas and ticks are perennial - from the dogs and cats who suffer to the owners who may become sick from the transmitted bugs," said Carrie Crawford, product manager for Farnam Pet Products, distributors of the Sratchex® line. "The essential way to manage the threat each year is to stay on top of it with prevention and treatment, so that it never takes over."
How to Spot Flea and Tick Problems
Dogs and cats displaying discomfort and scratching may be trying to ward off fleas,
which appear small (a little more than one millimeter), wingless, brown and fast moving. Some animals may be allergic to the bugs' saliva, causing inflammation of their skin. If the fleas carry pathogens, ingesting a large percentage of the bugs while cleaning their coats may infect cats.
Ticks can live almost anywhere in most climates, but are commonly found in wooded, damp and grassy areas. Though tick bites can be harmless, they also may cause anemia, skin damage, irritation and hypersensitivity. More severe symptoms such as arthritis, lameness, depression and loss of appetite show up with Lyme disease. Tick-borne fever can cause weakness, a cough, labored breathing, fatigue and discharge from the nose or eyes in pets. If such indicators occur, owners should take their pet to a veterinarian immediately.
The Scratchex® brand of flea and tick control products can be found in mass retail stores including Target and K-Mart, Albertsons, and many drugstores and grocery outlets.
Founded in 1946, Farnam Companies, Inc. is a privately held company and leader in the animal health products industry. The Phoenix-based company specializes in parasite and insect control products, nutritional solutions for animals and products that promote the human/animal bond. For information about Farnam and its products, in the U.S. call toll free at (800) 234-2269, direct at (602) 285-1660 or go to www.farnampet.com on the Internet.
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