As Oregon dog owners, hiking and camping are year-round pursuits! Unfortunately, fleas and ticks are also year-round in a lot of areas. That’s why we recommend using monthly flea and tick prevention to help prevent dangerous diseases and keep your pets happy AND healthy. In this blog, we’ll talk about fleas, ticks, and how to protect your pups against them.
Fleas and Ticks 101
Both fleas and ticks are ectoparasites. That means they live outside of their host, unlike endoparasites, like tapeworms, which live inside the host’s body. For fleas and ticks to survive, they bite their host and feed on blood.
Flea and tick bites differ in a few important ways. Fleas will jump on and off hosts and leave behind itchy clusters of bites. Symptoms often include red bumps, swelling, scabs, and rashes or irritated skin. On the other hand, ticks bite and latch onto their host, feeding for several days. Symptoms of tick bites may not be obvious until after the tick has fed and unlatched.
The Risks of Flea and Tick Bites
Flea and tick bites themselves can cause discomfort, itching, swelling, and even painful infections. But the greater risk lies in the diseases these parasites spread. For example, ticks harbor and spread a variety of diseases to dogs, including:
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Bartonellosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Tapeworms
- Babesiosis
The saliva from flea bites can cause severe allergic reactions and large flea infestations can cause anemia from blood loss, especially in small and young animals.
Choosing The Best Flea and Tick Prevention
When it comes to flea and tick prevention, you have options! The main choices are topicals, chewables, and wearables (AKA flea collars). The best choice for your pet depends on their risk factors and lifestyle.
Flea & Tick Collars
Some flea and tick collars can prevent parasites for up to 6 months. These are a convenient option for long-lasting prevention. To be effective, these collars need to be tight enough for skin contact.
Topical Preventatives
Topical preventatives are generally applied monthly between the shoulder blades. Not only do these products repel adult fleas and ticks, but they also interrupt their life cycle by killing eggs and larvae.
Oral Preventatives
Some pet parents prefer a chewable preventative over something worn or applied externally. Oral preventatives come as a chewable “treat” or tablet that can be taken like any other medication.
An Ounce of Prevention…
With our mild Oregon winters, fleas and ticks are a year-round concern. Luckily, prevention is simple and affordable. Ultimately, the best flea and tick prevention is whichever one you can use consistently! Talk to your veterinary team about your budget, preferences, and your pet’s risk factors to pick the best option for you.