Fleas and ticks can carry a variety of diseases. These include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis (a bacterial disease that infects white blood cells), barontella, also known as cat scratch disease, and babesiosis, which can break down red blood cells.
The most common ticks are the American dog tick, the lone star tick, and the deer tick, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension. Ticks can transmit diseases within three hours of biting. The American Kennel Club provides tips to safely remove ticks.
We asked Northern Virginia veterinarian Dr. Emari Yokota of Clarendon Animal Care for the signs your dog or cat could be infected, plus how to prevent exposure. Below are her practical tips to ensure your pets stay happy and healthy.
What are the first signs that a pet might have fleas or ticks?
Fleas: Pets may seem generally itchier. For some pets who have a flea allergy, the fleas may never be seen. The most common visual sign is actually their feces. They appear as “flea dirt,” which appear as black dandruff or coils. You may notice hair loss or scabbing on the rump, flanks, or the backs of their legs.
Ticks: You may never see a tick bite. Some ticks are the size of a sesame seed. When they are bigger, you may happen upon them when you are petting or brushing your dog. After a tick has been attached for several hours/days, the bite area gets inflamed and swollen. The tick is often engorged. All sizes of ticks have the potential to transmit significant disease to your pets, which is why it is important to protect them from bites.
What should pet owners do to prepare their homes and yards for flea and tick season?
Treating the yard by a pest control service will decrease [the] risk of transmission to you and your four-legged family.
Remember, if your pet travels to other places, they can bring it back home to your yard and inside your home. Ninety-five percent of the flea population lives in the environment. In other words, if you find five fleas on your dog or cat, there’s statistically 95 fleas, larvae, or eggs within your home.
What are the most effective methods for flea and tick prevention for pets?
There are several great options, but the best choice for pets who go outside is a treatment that travels with the pet.
What are some good products that pet owners should buy to prevent fleas and ticks?
No one product is perfect for every patient. It is important to consult with your vet to decide if a topical product such as Frontline, Seresto collar, Revolution, or Advantage/Advantix would be superior to oral products.
Often the oral products (Simparica, Nexgard, Credelio) have a much speedier kill time and can also treat and protect against the transmission of other bad parasites such as mange. Not all pets tolerate these medications, so make sure to talk to your vet. Be careful regarding the products you purchase.
Make sure they are a trusted medical source. Cat owners should also be aware that cats cannot tolerate the same drugs as dogs. Make sure the medication you give your cats is labeled specifically for them, otherwise, you may find yourself with a costly emergency visit.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
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