The Ins and Outs of Flea and Tick Prevention

Nobody likes an uninvited guest. If you are like most pet owners, you like to spend time playing with your pets both indoors and out. Don’t leave them at risk for an unwelcome visit from pesky parasites like fleas and ticks. These puny pests are not just annoying, they can cause real health problems for your pets.

Luckily, you don’t need to cancel your play plans. With some simple steps, you can protect your furry friends from these annoying parasites and help them stay safe and cool all summer. Here are the top ten ways to do it.

1. BE PREPARED.
The length and severity of flea and tick season vary across the country. Fleas thrive in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity levels at approximately 80%. It has been shown, however, that they can survive indoors during the winter even in cold climates. For this reason, many veterinarians recommend year-round preventive measures to protect pets.

2. DECIDE WHICH PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR PET.
Consult your veterinarian to find out which flea and/or tick product will meet your pet’s individual needs. The products your veterinarian can provide are safer and more effective than the products that are available in stores. Plus they are extremely convenient to use even for the busiest owner.

3. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS.
Make sure you read and carefully follow your veterinarian’s instructions for how and when to use the product. This is the best way to guarantee that it will effectively protect your pet.

4. DO NOT USE OLD PREVENTATIVE PRODUCTS.
If you have old flea or tick products that you have been holding on to, it is probably time to trade them in for something new. “You want to take advantage of the latest products available to keep your pets safe and healthy,” says Dr. Deirdre Chiaramonte of the Animal Medical Center in New York City.

5. DO NOT USE A PRODUCT MADE FOR DOGS ON CATS.
“Some flea preventives that are formulated for dogs contain an ingredient that is toxic to cats,” warns Dr. Brita Kiffney of Northshore Veterinary Hospital in Bellingham, Washington. “It can cause very severe reactions in cats that will require immediate veterinary care.” The product label will clearly indicate which species it has been approved for. Be sure to use products only as intended.

6. DO REGULAR TICK CHECKS.
If you and your pet have been in an area that might have ticks, be sure to do a tick check as soon as possible once you are indoors. The best way to prevent the transmission of disease is early tick removal. “A tick has to bite your pet and be attached for approximately 24 hours in order to transmit a disease,” notes Dr. Chiaramonte. Make sure you check your pet’s ears, armpits, and stomach area for ticks.

7. KNOW WHEN TO PAY PAR-TICK-ULAR ATTENTION.
If you know that your pet has had a recent tick bite, it is always a good idea to pass this information on to your veterinarian. “Not every tick bite transmits a disease to your pet,” says Dr. Kiffney. “But you do want to monitor your pet’s behavior for any signs of lethargy, soreness, or a change in appetite.”

8. GROOM YOUR PET REGULARLY.
Grooming is a great way to spend quality time with your pet. It also helps you keep an eye out for any external parasites that may be hiding under your pet’s haircoat.

9. CLEAN UP YOUR YARD.
Along with keeping a well-maintained house, be sure to clean up your yard, too. Mow your lawn regularly so that you don’t create a high grass area for ticks. Fleas tend to like warm, moist, shady areas with organic debris. Raking leaves, brush, and clippings from your yard will give fleas fewer places to hide and breed.

10. KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN.
One of the important things your veterinarian does during your pet’s routine checkups is to examine him for any signs of parasite problems to help ensure that the preventive product you are using is working effectively. However, you should contact your veterinarian right away if you have questions at any time about the product.

External parasites like fleas and ticks are looking to get a free meal from pets like yours. Even strictly indoor pets are at risk. Be sure you are giving your pet the protection he deserves by using one of the many safe and effective products available from your veterinarian.

FLEA AND TICK PROBLEMS THAT CAN “BUG” YOUR PET
Fleas and ticks can cause a number of health problems in pets. Keeping your pet flea- and tick-free not only keeps him comfortable, it also keeps him healthy by avoiding these problems:

• Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to the saliva left behind from flea bites and can cause a rash, inflammation, and hair loss.
• In very young or very small pets with extreme flea infestations, significant blood loss from flea bites can lead to anemia, the signs of which include pale gums, weakness, and fatigue. Readily apparent fleas and scratching should alert you to contact your veterinarian.
• Although they are not transmitted directly by flea bites, fleas commonly cause tapeworms when, while grooming itself, a pet ingests a flea carrying the tapeworm larva. Contact your veterinarian if you notice your pet itching around his anus or what looks like rice in your pet’s feces.
• Lyme disease is one of the biggest tick-transmitted threats in certain areas of the country and can cause swollen joints, lameness, poor appetite, and fever in pets.
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a serious infection that can cause fever, arthritis, decreased appetite, and swollen or painful joints in pets. Despite its name, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be transmitted by infected ticks throughout the country.
• Ehrlichiosis can be a mild or serious infection. Your pet may experience depression, anorexia, a high fever, loss of appetite, or bleeding problems.