Flea/Tick Prevention

​

Spring time means flea and tick season is upon us! 

​

A dog's warm body and soft fur make for an ideal habitat for these pesky insects. However, once they move in and begin feeding on your pet's blood, they can cause a wide range of health problems for your pup so it is best to do what you can to ensure this situation does not occur. 

​

The best bet for effective and safe prevention is to consult with your veterinarian for the most up-to-date flea and tick treatments, preventions, and information. 

​

Here are some other tips to help keep your pup safe in the warmer weather!

​

• Try to stick to veterinarian-approved flea and tick prevention products.

  • This goes for flea and tick topical treatments, collars, shampoos, etc. ​

  • DON'T use expired treatments!

• Read the label.

  • Only use flea and tick medication made for dogs on dogs and same goes for cats. Do not assume they can be used on both animals unless specifically stated. 

• Regularly inspect your pet (and yourself) for ticks after walks in long, grassy areas or through the woods. 

  • It is especially important to look on the feet (and between toes), under the legs, on lips, around eyes and ears (and inside ears), near the anus, and under the tail on your pup. Be sure to check under their collar, also! ​

• The quicker you remove a tick, the less likely your dog will contract a secondary illness related to tick bites.

  • Learn the proper method of tick removal. Invest in a pair of fine tweezers or a tick removal tool used for this purpose. It’s best to wear gloves and remove the tick by the head. If you are unable to remove the tick, call your veterinarian.

• Keep grass in your yard mowed as short as possible.

  • Refrain from walking into grassy patches in endemic tick areas if you can. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests removing leaf litter, tall grasses, and brush from your yard.

• For fleas, look for them on areas of your dog where the coat is sparse or thin.

  • Think belly, inner sides of the hind limbs, and armpits. Fleas are tiny and copper-colored, and they move quickly on your dog’s skin. You may also be able to see “flea dirt” or feces, tiny dark spots that turn red from digested blood when put on a wet paper towel.

• If you own multiple dogs, treat them all at the same time. This will help prevent cross infestation. ​

• While dogs are being treated, the surrounding environment must be treated at the same time.

  • Wash all bedding in soap and hot water and heat dry or get rid of it, and completely vacuum the sofas and carpets. When you’re done, make sure to empty the vacuum containers outside.

• If flea infestation is extensive in your home, a “fogger” can be used.

  • When you use a flea and tick fogger, the room must be evacuated of all pets and people for 12-to-24 hours (read label directions carefully to determine safety, or ask your veterinarian). Be sure to choose a fogger that kills adult fleas and flea larvae.

• If infestation is bad enough, or in parts of the country where fleas are on the ground, professional exterminators may be needed.

​

** Info taken from AKC