Flea and Tick Season is in Full Bloom

Now that summer is (finally) upon us, it is important that we keep our pets free from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.  Aside from the obvious hygienic concerns, each of these insects can also carry several diseases which can lead to serious illnesses in your pet.

We all know that fleas can make your pet itchy and uncomfortable, but did you know that many pets are severely allergic to flea bites?  This allergy can lead to a painful condition know as Flea Allergy Dermatitis, or FAD.  Pets suffering from FAD develop painful and irritating lesions on their skin.  Beyond this, many fleas can transmit tapeworms to your pets.  This nasty intestinal parasite can wreak havoc with your pet’s digestive system and cause anemia.  Keep in mind that fleas multiply extremely quickly.  Just a couple of fleas on your pet can lead to a complete infestation in your home.  The female flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs over her 2 to 3 month lifespan.  If you see one flea on your pet it is likely that there are hundreds of flea larva hiding out in corners, crevices and furniture in your home.

Ticks are fleas’ partners in crime.  Ticks do not cause enormous infestations like fleas do, but the can have dire consequences to your pet’s health.  While fleas frolic in your pet’s fur taking blood meals when needed, ticks attach themselves to your pet, burrow themselves under the skin, and feed until they have engorged themselves.  Many species of ticks also carry with them the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.  The states of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island account for the majority of Lyme cases in the U.S.; however cases have been reported in every geographical region of the country.  Ticks are often found in grassy areas (including lawns) and in brushy, shrubby or woodland sites.  Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, lameness, muscle soreness, lethargy, loss of appetite and swollen glands or joints.  In advanced cases, organ systems including the heart, kidney, liver and nervous systems can also be affected.  Inspect your pets regularly for ticks.  They are most commonly found around the head and neck, but also can be found between the toes or on or even in the ears.

Mosquitoes can be a summertime pest for us humans, but for our pets they can be deadly.  Mosquitoes can transmit the heartworm parasite from an infected pet to yours. The larva is transferred through the blood where they eventually migrate into your pet’s heart.  Adult heartworms are between 6 and 12 inches long, and several hundred may be found in a single dog.  Heartworms impair blood circulation, resulting in damage to the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.  Serious damage may occur even before outward clinical signs are detected.  Advanced signs include difficulty breathing, coughing, tiring easily, listlessness, weight loss and fainting.

The good news is that all of these infectious diseases can be prevented!  Keep your pet on monthly preventives such as Heartgard to protect against heartworm and Frontline to protect against flea and tick infestations.  There is also an effective vaccination to protect your pet against Lyme Disease.  Visit or call your veterinarian to learn more about how to protect your pet from these parasites and keep them healthy and happy this summer!

The Dog Days of Summer

  For many of us, the summer months bring long days of fun in the sun.  Sharing these days with our pets can be very rewarding, but they can also bring about some health concerns for our four-legged family members.  Below is a list of summer pet safety tips that will keep you and your entire family safe while you enjoy all that the season has to offer.

· Never leave your pet in the car – Although it may seem comfortable outside, the sun can raise the temperature in your car to over 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with the windows open.
· Keep your pet well groomed – Mats and tangles can prevent your pet’s fur from doing its job.  A well-groomed coat will protect your pet from the sun and insulate them from the heat.  Densely matted hair can trap too much heat against your pet’s body, potentially leading to heatstroke.
· It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity – Pets do not sweat like humans so dogs and cats remove most of their body heat through panting.  High humidity lowers the efficiency of this method of heat exchange leading to a higher risk of heatstroke in your pet.
· Lazy days of summer – Your pet cannot tolerate what might seem like “ordinary” exercise levels on hot and humid days.  Take it easy, enjoy the scenery, and do not push your pet’s exercise tolerance.  Take walks in the morning and late evening when it is cooler and be sure to avoid the hot midday sun.
· Know the signs of Heatstroke – Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can often be fatal.  Signs of heatstroke include excessive panting, anxiety, confusion, rapid heartbeat, vomiting and collapse.  If you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke, have someone else call the hospital while you immediately douse your pet with cold water, rubbing it into the fur to make contact with the skin.  Bring your pet into the nearest veterinary hospital immediately.
· Train your pet to get out of pools and into boats – Many families have pools in their yards and the family pets often enjoy a cool dip.  However, just as with your human children, practicing pool safety is crucial.  Make sure your pet knows how to get out of the pool in case they ever fall in unexpectedly.  Also, if you take your pet with you on boating excursion, make sure they understand how to get back into the boat if they happen to fall overboard.  Practice “rescuing” your pet several times so that they do not panic if they do take an accidental swim.

With a little preparedness and advanced planning, you can make sure the summer is safe and fun for all the members of your family.

Road Trips with Rover

Many families plan to take car trips with their pets during the summer months.  To take advantage of this, more and more vacation destinations are beginning to offer pet friendly accommodations and attractions.  Before you hit the open road with your four-legged friend, it is important to plan ahead so that your trip goes as smoothly as possible. Identify hotels, motels and campsites that are pet friendly and book them in advance.  Visit www.pettravel.com to find some great resources for planning a vacation with your pet.

If your pet does not usually tolerate rides in the car, take it for a few short rides before the big trip. This will help them grow more accustomed to being in the car. Put a few of their favorite toys in the car with them so that they get a sense of familiarity.  These “practice trips” can help lessen your pet’s anxiety and decrease the effects of motion sickness.

Keeping your pet safely restrained while traveling in the car is also an important precaution to take.  Several states now require that pets be restrained while riding in the car.  Restraints help protect both you and your pet in the event of a collision. Additionally they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver.  You only have to take your dashboard apart to rescue your kitten once before you learn that carriers are the way to go.  Carriers can be secured with a seat belt, dog harnesses come with seat belt attachments and pet car seats can be purchased at many pet stores.

While packing for your trip, remember to include a few of your pets’ favorite toys, blankets, food container, water dish, leash and collar.  You should also carry a pet first aid kit and ask you doctor about some basic first aid techniques.  If your pet is on medications or a prescription diet, make sure to bring plenty along for the trip.  Write down your vet’s phone number incase of an emergency, and carry a copy of your pets’ medical records, particularly if they have a complicated medical history.

To avoid losing your pet while on vacation, make sure that they always wear a collar with an I.D. tag attached.  As an additional precaution, consider having your pet microchipped.  This tiny microchip, implanted under your pet’s skin by your veterinarian, serves as a permanent way to identify your pet and has reunited thousands of lost pets with their loving families.

Finally, it is important to carry health and rabies certificates with you any time you plan on traveling with your pets.  If you are planning on crossing the border into Canada or Mexico, call the Department of Agriculture or the embassy of the country you are visiting to ensure you can comply with their often strict requirements regarding animal health.  It is also a good idea to research laws or restrictions pertaining to certain breeds and species from entering the state or city you are traveling to.  For instance, some cities do not allow ferrets while others may have a restriction on pit bulls or other breeds.  In the end, it is always better to be safe than sorry.  Being prepared will help ensure that your entire family has a safe, fun and relaxing vacation.