Flea and tick preventatives should be used year round due to the weather fluctuation in our area.
Symptoms & Risks
Fleas can cause extreme discomfort for the infested animals. Some symptoms of flea infestations are excessive scratching, licking or biting at the skin on the back end. This can result in hair loss, scabs or hotspots. Small or young animals' lives can be endangered from severe flea infestations.
Ticks carry various disease that can be detrimental to your pet’s health. In this area, the most common diseases seen are Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. These diseases can cause fever, joint pain and lethargy. In extreme cases, it can cause organ failure.
Prevention
There are numerous flea and tick preventatives on the market. You should consult with your veterinarian when choosing the correct preventative for your pet.
Additional information
For more information about ticks in our area, read the Ticks of Dogs page in the Merck Veterinary Manual online.