Fleas and Ticks are blood-sucking, external parasites that can infest most animals and humans. Fleas are small, flat insects that live indoors and outdoors, and have a life-cycle that facilitates long periods of cocooning at the larval stage, which makes them difficult to eradicate from household environments. They typically bite the animal, lay eggs, and jump off, whereas ticks attach to the skin for a blood meal, and do not deposit their eggs on animals. There are several types of Ticks, ranging in size from small to large, however, their life cycle is complex, and usually requires more than one species of animals as hosts.

Sometimes, fleas are not visible on the pet but leave behind "Flea Dirt", or flea feces, which is digested blood. To determine if this is flea feces, or just dirt, place the animal on a white surface and run your hands vigorously through the haircoat, allowing the dirt to drop onto the white surface. Take a wet paper towel and touch it to the dirt; if it immediately turns bright red upon contact with water, it is dried blood and your pet has fleas, even if none are visible.

Fleas spread tapeworm infections (by pets eating fleas), as well as several viral and bacterial diseases. Fleas can also cause anemia, skin allergies, rashes and sores, on humans and animals. Fleas reproduce at a phenomenal rate, with one breeding pair producing up to 20,000 fleas in 90 days.

Ticks should be removed with tweezers to prevent direct contact with humans, as ticks may carry organisms infectious to people. Ticks carry and spread serious diseases, such as Lyme Disease, and it's importance as a disease affecting humans is increasing as more and more people are diagnosed with the disease. The most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the country, LYME disease is found throughout the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Vaccination is by far the most effective way to protect your dog. We recommend the LYME vaccine for all our canine patients who live in heavily wooded, or grassy areas, who travel to the country, go hunting, camping, hiking, or visit the park regularly.

There are other tick-borne diseases that affect dogs, like Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but no vaccines are available as yet for these diseases.

Flea allergies are a year-round problem in some areas of the country, especially in the south where winters are generally mild and do not interrupt the flea life cycle. Signs of flea allergy usually include excessive hair loss, severe scratching and biting, skin sores on the neck, base of the tail and abdomen, skin infections, and may result in serious skin damage from the trauma of repeated biting/chewing/licking of the affected area(s). In highly allergic pets, a single flea bite can have effects lasting for weeks.

Management of Symptoms

Flea control for the pet and the environment is necessary to keep outbreaks and symptoms at a minimum. Flea allergies tend to worsen with age, and contribute to other health problems. In severe cases, Corticosteroids, Antihistamines, and Antibiotics may be added to the treatment protocols.

Main Page