Start Dogs Early for Spring Flea & Tick Control
By Dr. Michael Dym, DVM With the arrival of the warm spring weather, fleas and ticks begin to wake up from their winter lull. While flea and tick activity typically peaks in the summer with temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, fleas and ticks have actually already started to emerge by the time temperatures reach the […]
What To Do If You See A Tick On Your Dog
Ticks are eight-legged pests that can be as small as a sesame seed and swell up as big as a blueberry after a blood meal. When a tick latches onto your pet, there’s a chance they may spread Lyme disease, an infection that causes fever, fatigue, swollen joints, and sometimes, kidney failure. Over the past […]
Deer Ticks, Dog Ticks, and Lone Star Ticks – What’s the Difference?
If you live in the United States, you’re most likely to find one of four common tick species on your pet: the deer tick, the American dog tick, the Brown dog tick, or the Lone Star tick. While all ticks can transmit serious disease, knowing your tick species can help you assess the risk […]
Does Dish Soap Kill Fleas On Dogs?
A flea infestation can catch you off-guard. When your pet is covered in fleas and itching like crazy, you’ll do anything to help them find relief. Ready to throw the kitchen sink at the problem, you might find yourself reaching for the dish soap. After all, you may have seen it used on commercials to […]
How Does Bravecto Work To Kill Fleas And Ticks?
Bravecto is a long-lasting flea and tick preventative that protects dogs and cats for up to twelve weeks. Learn how Bravecto works, why it lasts longer than other preventatives, and what makes it different from other options in flea and tick prevention. What Is Bravecto? Bravecto is a flea and tick preventive that comes […]
Why Does My Dog Need Flea & Tick Prevention?
Preventing fleas and ticks is cheaper than controlling them once there is a flea infestation. Flea and tick prevention products that contain insect growth regulators (IGR) stops eggs and larvae from developing into adult fleas. At least 95% of the flea population exists as eggs, larvae, and pupae that hide in carpets and yards while […]
5 Most Common Myths About Fleas on Dogs, Busted!
You can choose from dozens of cat and dog flea preventatives to fit your lifestyle and your budget, whether you prefer a topical treatment, a convenient collar, or a tasty chewable. Despite the availability of preventatives, though, fleas, flea-borne illnesses, and home infestations are still prevalent in the United States. One possible reason? Many pet […]
What’s Your Dog’s Risk Of Exposure To Vector-Borne Pathogens?
Heartworm disease, transmitted through mosquito bites, and Lyme disease, transmitted through deer tick bites, are on the rise in many regions of the United States. While you may have been able to forgo heartworm preventatives and flea and tick protection for part of the year, or have never used those products at all, the predicted […]
Are Fleas Still Active in the Fall
Summer’s out, and pumpkin spice and cozy sweaters are in. Unfortunately, the fleas that feed on pets in the summer are far from out of season. It’s a common misconception that pets no longer need flea and tick protection after summertime. As it turns out, flea season is just peaking as the leaves start […]
Exotic Ticks Found in United States
New Tick Species Identified in the United States WARNING: There is a new tick in town. A tick not usually found in the United States, let alone the Western Hemisphere, was reported for the first time in the United States in 2017. According to the CDC, these ticks have been found in the following states: […]
Flea and Tick: FAQs About Fleas
What are Fleas? Fleas are wingless external parasites known for their biting and blood-sucking abilities. Fleas look like copper or blackish pepper flakes, about 1/8 inch long—when you get to see them. Most fleas dash out of sight, heading toward cover. When you do see fleas, you know a dozen of their comrades are in […]
Flea and Tick: FAQs About Ticks
What are ticks? Ticks are tiny insects (arthropods like spiders) that range in size from tiny specks to a swollen watermelon seed. Ticks have 8 legs and an outer surface called a carapace or shell, which can be soft or hard. Ticks start out tiny, rather like freckles, but female ticks suck enough blood to […]
Ehrlichia in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment
What is Ehrlichia? While most people are most concerned about the tick transmitted Lyme disease, there is another disease transmitted by certain species of ticks known as Ehrlichia. Signs of Ehrlichia in dogs can occur 1-3 weeks after the bite of an infected tick, and in the acute phase of the disease, symptoms may last […]
Does Trifexis Require a Prescription?
It can be daunting to consider all the parasites you need to protect your dog from every month: those pesky fleas as well as heartworms and a whole host of potential intestinal parasites. Previously, pet parents had to apply a messy topical flea treatment and remember to also give a separate heartworm medication every month. […]
Choosing the Best Topical Flea Prevention
Protecting your pet from fleas and ticks is undeniably one of the most important things you should do for your pet. Not only are fleas and ticks a pain to get rid of on your pet and in your home, but they also present a real threat to your pet’s health. Giving your pet flea […]