Or is that just the buzzing of pesky insects? It is that time of year: fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, oh my!

Oh yes… Catch a glimpse of poor Fido itching and pray it is just allergies and mentally start wondering if you have fleas, too. Let us talk bugs and why we should be concerned about controlling them.

Fleas! These are small external parasites that feed on the blood of its host. Many animals in this area develop flea bite hypersensitivity, a reaction to the flea saliva. Fleas are fast and can jump nearly 200 times their body length. Fleas can cause anemia, carry tapeworms, spread plague, and even the bacterial disease Bartonellosis known by many as cat scratch disease. Yikes! Fleas produce numerous eggs at a time, which take around two weeks to hatch. They then go through a larval/pupal stage that lasts about two more weeks before they become the adults we have seen. Most parasite treatments are not effective during the pupal stage. This is why it is so important to continue treatment for at least two to three months.

Ticks are another small parasite that attach and feed on the blood of its host, including humans. These little bloodsuckers carry nasty diseases. For dogs in our area, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis are the most common. These diseases commonly cause bleeding, fever, and body aches. Lyme disease is another more significant infection spread by ticks.

Mosquitoes also carry blood borne parasites and infections. The West Nile virus, while not as prevalent, is still around. Our four-legged friends are faced with the possibility of developing heartworms from a simple mosquito bite. Mosquitoes inject microfilaria into the bloodstream that end up in the heart causing substantial damage.

The importance of a complete parasitic preventative treatment is necessary for maintaining the health and happiness of our pets. Not to mention, it makes them cuddlier! If you suspect your pet may be suffering from pesky insects, bring them to Critter Care Center to see me, Dr. Stephanie Simons!