FLEAS & TICKS ARE BACK

By Dr. Connie Wright

     Spring is here! Unfortunately, so are those old pests, fleas and ticks. The cold weather this winter doesn’t seem to have slowed these dangerous parasites. They are back, right on schedule.

     Everyone who has fought fleas on their pets knows how annoying they are. They are hard to get rid of, they cause allergic skin disease in dogs and cats and they usually leave your pet with a case of tapeworms. Ticks, though, are even worse. These nasty little bloodsuckers aren’t just hard to kill, they also carry some really horrible diseases. Tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease, both of which affect pets and people. They also carry ehrlichiosis, an extremely dangerous disease. The canine form of Ehrlichia has become common with the increase in the tick population the past few years. Many dogs who contract it have lasting health problems even after treatment, and others die.

     The only way to prevent these diseases is to prevent your pet from being infested with fleas and ticks. Luckily, there are a number of effective products to keep your pet parasite-free. Ask your vet about products such as Frontline, Preventic, Advantage, Revolution and Program. The choice of product often depends on your unique circumstances. There are over-the-counter products available, too, but be aware that these are generally not as effective and can be more toxic to your pet. Whatever product you use, be sure to follow label instructions carefully.

     Remember, the key to defeating these parasites is to start treating your pet before you find fleas or ticks. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure!