What can I do to keep my pets free from fleas and ticks?

There are medications available that can protect your pet from these pests. Bring your pet to VOTS for recommendations. Some over-the-counter options may be ineffective and a waste of money, or even harmful. Checking your pet for ticks on a regular basis, especially after it has spent time outside, is important as well.

Do fleas and ticks come from my yard?

Typically fleas jump from wildlife to environment to pets and eventually into homes. It’s also possible for fleas to hitch a ride into homes by attaching to our clothes. Ticks don’t just live in the wild; they can also be found in our yards or close to home where we may be doing routine activities. They hang out on ground vegetation and can hide in leaf, rock, or wood piles.

What are the risks associated with fleas and ticks?

Fleas are dangerous as they can transmit various diseases, including the bubonic plague. There are other diseases that can be passed from fleas to humans like murine typhus and cat-scratch disease. In addition, fleas can spread tapeworm, bartonella, and plague to dogs and cats. Some bloodborne diseases can also infect pets. Furthermore, because of their parasitic nature, fleas can cause anemia and skin infections even if they aren’t carrying any disease.

Tick-borne diseases can cause severe and long-lasting illnesses in both humans and pets, sometimes resulting in fatalities. It is possible to contract multiple diseases from a single tick bite. Some common tick-borne illnesses include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. Although less common, Powassan virus, babesiosis, and Heartland virus disease can also occur.

How can I identify if my pet has fleas or ticks?

Signs indicating a flea infestation include excessive licking and scratching, and red rashes or sores. You can find flea feces, also known as “flea dirt,” within the fur or hair of animals. Sometimes you can also spot the fleas themselves moving around. Flea bites cause itchy skin, leading to hair loss and skin infections in certain areas, such as the back legs, rump, and tail base in dogs.

Excessive licking, biting, or head shaking may indicate a tick is on your pet. To detect ticks on your pets, search throughout the fur for bumps. Make sure to check areas such as under the tail, near the ears or head, and between toes. If you happen to find one, keep the tick and keep track of any symptoms for 60 days. You can store the tick in a sealed container after submerging it in alcohol.

What is the process for diagnosis and treatment?

To determine if your pet has fleas, a veterinarian will conduct a physical exam and ask about their history. Fleas are often the culprit for itchiness. The vet will prescribe flea prevention medication for all pets in the household. To get rid of fleas, it’s important to clean your entire house regularly for several months.

If you discover a tick, make a calendar note for 60 days in the future and be attentive for symptoms. For humans, be on the lookout for fever, headache, joint pain, muscle aches, fatigue, or a rash. For pets, keep an eye out for fever, loss of appetite, stiffness, swollen joints, a lame leg, lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting. Take your pet to a full scale vet office if they exhibit symptoms. If you experience symptoms, promptly see a doctor.