Fleas and ticks are undoubtedly nuisances, but they can also cause significant health problems for your pet. Fortunately, preventive measures can protect your four-legged friend from these creepy-crawly parasites. Our Rustebakke Veterinary Service team explains why your pet needs year-round flea and tick prevention.

Fleas and pets

Washington’s prevalent rains create the perfect breeding ground for fleas, and the parasites are common in our area, especially during the spring, summer, and fall when temperatures are warm. Fleas often seek refuge indoors during the cooler months, and they can be a problem year-round. Fleas are blood-sucking parasites that can consume 15 times their body weight during every blood meal. While fleas can’t fly, they can jump up to eight inches, which is almost 200 times their body size. Fleas can cause numerous health issues for your pet, including:

  • Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) — Many dogs and cats are allergic to proteins in fleas’ saliva, and a bite from a single flea can result in intense, body-wide itching and inflammation, often leading to secondary excoriations and infections. Affected pets typically groom excessively, leaving no fleas behind, but you may find flea dirt (i.e., flea feces) in your pet’s coat or bedding.
  • Anemia — Puppies, kittens, and small pets infested by numerous fleas are at risk for significant blood loss. Signs include pale gums, weakness, decreased appetite, and rapid, shallow breathing. Affected pets may need iron supplementation or in severe cases, blood transfusions.
  • Bartonellosis — Bartonellosis, more commonly known as cat scratch fever, is a bacterial infection transmitted by infected fleas. Infected cats typically don’t exhibit signs, but they can transmit the disease to people through a scratch or a bite. Infected dogs may show signs such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea, and heart inflammation. 

Ticks and pets

According to the Washington State Department of Health, the most common ticks in our region are the Rocky Mountain wood tick, western black-legged tick, and American dog tick. Ticks are hardy and are active year-round. However, ticks are most active during the spring and early summer months. The parasites quest on low-lying vegetation and attach to pets and people as they pass. Once attached, ticks feed for several minutes to several days depending on the species, life stage, and host. While a tick is attached to your pet, they can transmit diseases such as:

  • Lyme disease — Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. On the Pacific coast, Lyme disease is transmitted by the western black-legged tick. Signs include fever, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and lethargy. In severe cases, the disease can compromise your pet’s kidneys, leading to kidney failure.
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) — RMSF is caused by an intracellular parasite, rickettsia rickettsii, and is transmitted through the bite of an infected Rocky Mountain wood tick or American dog tick. Signs vary from mild fever and lethargy to unexplained bleeding and neurologic issues. 
  • Anaplasmosis — Anaplasmosis is a bacterial disease caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and is transmitted by the western black-legged tick. Signs are similar to Lyme disease and include lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes. Less common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and labored breathing.
  • Tick paralysis — Western black-legged ticks and Rocky Mountain wood ticks have toxins in their saliva that can cause a rapidly progressive ascending paralysis. Signs typically start three to five days after the tick attaches and include hind limb incoordination, increased breathing rate, and gagging or coughing. 

Protecting pets from fleas and ticks

Fortunately, you can easily protect your pet from fleas and ticks by providing year-round flea and tick preventives. Products are available in topical or oral applications, which are given monthly. In addition to ensuring your furry pal receives year-round flea and tick preventives, protect your pet from these pests by following these tips:

  • Ensure you continue to administer your pet’s preventive during the cooler months.
  • Check your pet for parasites regularly, especially after being outside.
  • Remove ticks from your pet’s fur or skin as soon as possible.
  • Vacuum and wash your pet’s bedding frequently.
  • Maintain your yard to help prevent fleas and ticks.

Providing year-round flea and tick preventive is the best way to protect your pet from these harmful parasites. Contact our Rustebakke Veterinary Service team so we can help determine the most effective product for your four-legged friend.