Fleas and ticks are truly a year-round problem, especially in Maryland. Don’t forget to keep up on your preventatives!
Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or brand new to puppy parenthood, one of the things you need to know about is the threat of fleas and ticks. This is also an issue that concerns owners of outdoor cats, too! Fleas and ticks can become a huge problem if they are allowed to latch onto your pet and, in the case of fleas, infest your home. It’s important to take preventative measures and always take the threat of these pests seriously.
Fleas
Fleas are at a disadvantage because they can’t fly, and they require a warm host to stay active and survive. However, many people are aware that fleas are world-class jumpers, clearing distances up to 200 times their size, according to the AKC. When the weather gets chilly, these little pests hide away in their pupae stage until the temperatures rise again. Once it’s warm enough, they develop into their adult form and prepare to terrorize your unsuspecting pet (and you!).
Ticks
While fleas are mostly a horrible nuisance that tends to become serious once there are too many of them, ticks are a threat even when they’re solo. Ticks don’t need a host to survive, they can live just fine in any grassy, wooded areas, where they lie in wait for a host to happen by. Once they spot a host, they attach to them.
Not only can some ticks remain active in colder temperatures, but they can also be carriers of Lyme disease. This makes them even more of a threat to the health of your pet, and their prevention should be taken very seriously.
Prevention
Your primary veterinarian can provide you with year-round flea and tick medication to prevent your dog from falling victim to these terrible little pests. Some owners mistakenly assume that these creatures are only active in the warm months and may therefore choose to allow the preventative medication to elapse in the winter before putting them back on these medications in the spring. According to the AKC, Maryland’s active months for fleas and ticks are March through December. That means only January and February are considered ‘inactive’, but warmer winters could render this null. The best way to ensure your pup’s safety and prevent fleas and ticks from becoming a problem is to maintain the preventative medications year-round.
Trust Maryland Veterinary Surgical Services With Your Companion’s Health
Your companion’s health is important, and the team at MVSS is ready to provide the best care possible for your furry family. We are dedicated to combining comprehensive exams and assessments with informative and honest discussions of your companion’s care. Once we have worked with you to decide on the best course of action for your dog, our professionals will use their surgical expertise to work towards the goal of giving your companion an active and pain-free life. We are proud to serve loyal companions in Catonsville and Baltimore. To learn more about our services, give us a call at 410-788-4088 or visit us online. For more information and tips for pet health, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.