Protect Your Pets From Fleas and Ticks - Tips from Pets4Life Animal Hospital

Protect Your Pets From Fleas and Ticks - Tips from Pets4Life Animal Hospital

Fleas are not only a nuisance, many dogs are allergic to flea bites, which can cause scratching, red and flaky skin, scabs, hot spots and hair loss.   Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tick borne diseases.  If left untreated, these tiny pests can seriously harm our pet’s health.

Pets4Life offers some guidelines to make sure your pets enjoy a healthy spring and summer, although it's important to use year round prevention.

Here are some tips from Pets4Life Animal Hospital to help you keep your pup safe:

• Flea and Tick Prevention: Consult your veterinarian on which flea and tick prevention products are best for your pets based on your environment and travel plans. These products are available in a variety of forms, including oral medication, spot-on treatments, shampoos and collars.  Proper use can greatly lower the chance of fleas and tick bites that can lead to Lyme disease.  Cats are extremely sensitive to certain chemicals. Do not apply prevention products on your cats without first seeking advice from your veterinarian. 

• Regular Tick and Flea Checks: Tick bites on pets may be hard to detect. Establish the routine of thoroughly inspecting your pets for ticks following outdoor adventures, particularly in regions with dense vegetation, bushes, high grass, or wooded areas. Examine the area around the tail, under the collar, between the toes, and the ears closely. Tweezers or a tick removal tool should be used to quickly remove any ticks you find.  If the tick has burrowed too deeply by the time you find it, call your vet for assistance.  It is also important when examining your dog for flea dirt, to check on the belly and back. Flip the hair back or use a flea comb as you may find live fleas or fine black flea dirt.

• Yard Maintenance: Mow the grass frequently, prune the bushes, and get rid of any leaf litter to keep your yard looking good. You can reduce the chance that your family and pets will come into contact with ticks and fleas by establishing a tick and flea safe zone around your house.

• Outdoor Awareness: Exercise caution when deciding where to walk or hike your dog. Be aware that places like overgrown fields, high grass and dense forests are known to have a high tick infestation. When feasible, stay on designated paths and trails and if this is not possible, consider applying tick repellent.

• Vaccination: We recommend that you discuss the Lyme disease vaccine for dogs with your veterinarian. Vaccination does not offer 100% protection, but it can help lessen the severity of the disease if your dog becomes infected with the Lyme bacteria from exposure to deer ticks. 

• Grooming:  Consider adding regular grooming to your dog’s routine as your groomer will be another set of eyes doing a thorough exam of your pet for ticks and fleas.   

• Symptom Monitoring: Signs of tick borne disease may not appear for 7-21 days (or even longer) after a tick bite, so watch your pet closely for changes in behavior or appetite.  Keep an eye out for your dog's lameness, fever, lethargic behavior, and swollen joints, among other indications of Lyme disease. For diagnosis and treatment, contact your veterinarian right away if you observe any strange symptoms or believe your pet may have been bitten by a tick.  Watch for excessive scratching that could be the result of fleas.  Call your veterinarian if you notice any unusual symptoms.   

Follow these tips to help you lower your dog's risk of contracting Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses and the risk of getting fleas. Schedule a wellness check-up at Pets4Life Animal Hospital today by calling (847) 434-2745 or visit us at 661 Central Avenue Highland Park, IL 60035 to discuss flea and tick prevention strategies and keep your pets protected for all of your upcoming adventures.