In spite of the chilly spring temperatures and rainy weather, many folks are already finding ticks on their pets. Pet owners should be safeguarding their pets now for warmer weather. Here are a few tips to keep your pets happy and healthy as we prepare for sunny days ahead.
Pets Can Suffer from Seasonal Allergies
Just like their humans, our pets can suffer with seasonal allergies from new grasses, flowers and trees blooming in spring. However, unlike most humans, pets manifest their allergies through the skin rather than their respiratory systems.
Keep an eye out if your pet is scratching or licking excessively or having ear troubles (head shaking, scratching). These are all classic signs of pet allergies. Ask your vet for help managing these symptoms.
Get Back on Track with Heartworm Prevention
One of the single, largest dangers to the health of our domestic pets is heartworm disease. These resourceful worms spread through mosquito bites and can significantly damage the health of infected pets. Heartworms are carried by mosquitos when temperatures are above 55 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended number of days. Pet owners should be proactive right now and get their pets back on heartworm prevention medications if they were taken off during the winter months.
Use Flea and Tick Prevention
Fleas are dormant outside during the winter months, however they can be seen all year round indoors. Once they are present indoors, they are very tough to get rid of. They infest animals and can also jump to humans. These disgusting parasites start eating and reproducing within 5 minutes of landing on a warm body. In addition to the direct effect of flea bites, fleas also carry a number of diseases.
Not surprisingly, ticks are a major problem for the spring season. Ticks breed in late April, May and June. Dogs and cats generally get ticks outside when they’re in the woods or in areas with high grass, shrubs or ground cover. Ticks can serve as vectors for Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Fever. It’s important to check your pets on a daily basis to prevent transmission of tick born disease before it occurs. Studies show that it takes at least 48 hours for ticks to begin transmitting Lyme disease through their saliva
The peak season for fleas and ticks is upon us, get your pets back on preventive medication pronto as we head into the warmer weather.
