• Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Transferring Medical Records
    • Gentle Handling for Your Pet
    • New Client Form
    • New Patient- Dog
    • New Patient- Cat
    • New Patient- Other
    • Refill Requests
    • Pet Records Sign-up
    • Pet Records Sign-in
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Reviews
  • Services
    • Wellness Care
    • Dentistry
    • Medical and Surgical
    • Radiology
    • Health Certificates
    • Microchipping
  • Veterinary Resources
    • Veterinary Topics
      • Pet Health
        • Chronic Conditions
        • Digestive and Oral Health
        • Diseases and Viruses
        • Pests and Parasites
        • Orthopedics
      • Today's Veterinarian
      • Choosing Your Pet
        • Finding Your Pet
        • Cats
        • Dogs
        • Exotics
          • Amphibians
          • Birds
          • Reptiles
            • Lizards
            • Turtles
        • Small Mammals
          • Ferrets
          • Rabbits
          • Domesticated Animals
            • Prairie Dogs
          • Pocket Pets
            • Chinchillas
            • Guinea Pigs
            • Hamsters
            • Hedgehogs
            • Rats
        • Livestock
          • Cows
          • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
          • Goats
          • Pigs
          • Poultry
          • Sheep
      • Living With Your Pet
        • Bringing Your Pet Home
        • Children and Pets
        • Providing Care
        • Travel
        • Saying Goodbye
      • Newsletter Library
        • Tips for Pet Owners
        • Seasonal Topics
        • Nutrition & Food
        • Recognizing Illness
        • Visiting the Vet
        • Equine
        • Cats
        • Keeping Pets Healthy
        • Fleas & Parasites
        • Pet Dangers
        • Behavior & Training
        • Newsletter Archive
          • Fun with Pets
          • Unbelievable Pets
      • Video Newsroom
        • Health Topics
        • Technology and Science
        • Other Interests
      • Client Survey
      • Pets4Kids
    • Online Store
  • Payment Options
  • Contact Us
City Pets Vet

3521 SE Division St

Portland, OR 97202 US

503-206-4163

  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Fleas & Parasites >
  • Keeping Your Pets Safe During Flea and Tick Season

Keeping Your Pets Safe During Flea and Tick Season

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Fleas & Parasites
Dog having a tick removed in a vet office

How to Keep Your Pets Safe from Lyme Disease and Other Illnesses During Flea and Tick Season

Warmer weather brings the return of fleas and ticks throughout the entire U.S. Fortunately, keeping your pet safe from these tiny but troublesome pests can be as easy as taking a few simple precautions.

Ticks Can Cause Long-Lasting Health Problems

Ticks are opportunists. They'll jump on the first warm body that passes by, whether that's you or your dog. The pests latch on to the skin and feed on your pet's blood. If they remain attached to the skin long enough, they'll also release the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria into your pet's body. Transmission of the bacteria can occur in as little as 24 hours.

The bacteria causes Lyme disease, an illness responsible for joint inflammation, pain, swelling, stiffness, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and other symptoms. Depending on how quickly treatment begins, dogs may develop chronic health problems as a result of a Lyme disease infection. Cats can also develop Lyme disease, although infections have only occurred in cats in laboratory settings so far, according to Cornell Feline Health Center.

Ticks can also transmit other diseases to animals, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick paralysis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and bartonellosis. These diseases can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from swollen lymph nodes to anemia and even death. Symptoms of tick-borne illnesses may not appear until several months after your pet has been infected.

If you examine your pet after a trip outside, you may see or feel ticks. Ticks like to burrow in out-of-the-way areas, such as between the toes, under the collar or at the base of the tail.

Do You Know How to Spot Signs of Flea Infestations?

Although flea bites usually aren't quite as serious as tick-borne illnesses, they can make your pet very uncomfortable. Since fleas reproduce fairly quickly, the entire family may soon start scratching. Fleas can also affect pet rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals.

Pets that have flea infestations may compulsively scratch, bite, or lick their skin, causing bald or raw spots. You may also notice flea "dirt," small black specks in your pet's fur. If an infestation is severe, or your pet is allergic to fleas, anemia can occur. Pets that are anemic may develop pale lips or gums, weakness, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

How You Can Protect Your Pet

Flea and tick preventive medications offer an easy way to safeguard your pet's health. The treatments kill adult ticks and fleas and also prevent larvae and eggs from maturing.

They're available in spot treatments, collars, sprays, shampoos, and other products. Before you use a preventive medication for the first time, check with your pet's veterinarian to make sure it's safe for your furry friend.

In addition to using preventive treatments, it's also important to:

  • Keep Fleas and Ticks Out of Your Yard. Applying flea and tick spray monthly to grasses, shrubs and plants kill the pests before they can attack your pets. Wait for the sprays to dry completely before you let your pet walk through your yard.
  • Remove Brush and Keep Grass Cut. Brush and debris create perfect habitats for many types of insects and pests. Removing it promptly can help you keep your pets and your family healthy. Fleas and ticks love long grass but keeping your lawn cut too short can be a problem too. If your grass is shorter than two inches, the spiders that prey on fleas will find new places to live.
  • Fence Your Yard. You may treat your pets for fleas, but do your neighbors? Visiting cats and dogs can leave behind fleas even if they're only in your yard briefly. Fencing your yard also keeps wild animals infested with fleas out of your yard.
  • Remove Ticks Promptly. The sooner you remove a tick, the less likely your pet will develop Lyme disease or another tick-borne illness. Grasp the tick's head with tweezers and pull it straight out of your pet's body. Take care to avoid crushing or twisting it. Once you've removed the tick, place it in a jar filled with alcohol.

Are you worried that your pet may have fleas or a tick-borne illness? Your veterinarian can help protect your pet.

Sources:

Cornell Feline Health Center: Lyme Disease

American Kennel Club: 4 Tips to Help Keep Your Dog Safe from Fleas and Ticks, 3/15/16

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Controlling Fleas and Ticks on Your Pets

ASPCA: Fleas and Ticks

Scotts: How to Treat Fleas in the Yard

PetMD: Tick-Borne Diseases and Your Pet

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Pet Dangers
    • Behavior & Training
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

Featured Links

Click to find out more

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
    Learn More
  • Meet the Team

    Read more about our wonderful and caring doctors and staff!
    View Forms
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
    Schedule Now
  • Payment Options

    Learn more about our different options for Payments!
    Learn More

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonial

Read What Our Clients Say

I love these guys! I was referred to them by my usual vet when they were completely booked and I was in a jam to get my sick kitty checked out before I left town. City Pets Vet worked me in immediately, gave my kitty great care, were very reasonable on pricing (did not ever try to upsell me on services or products), and were SO friendly to deal with. I will definitely go back! I have every confidence in their services.

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • How to Tell When Your Cat Is Sick

    Not sure if your cat is sick? Take a look at these signs. ...

    Read More
  • Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

    Wondering if pet insurance is a good idea? ...

    Read More
  • Human vs Pet Medications: Why You Should Never Share Medicine with Your Pets

    Could your medications harm your pets? ...

    Read More
  • Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Pet's Next Veterinary Visit

    Does your pet dread veterinary visits? ...

    Read More
  • Signs on Heatstroke: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

    Do you know how to protect your pet from heatstroke? ...

    Read More
  • Why Heartworm Protection Is Necessary for All Pets

    Is your pet protected against heartworm? ...

    Read More
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More

Connect With Us

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map