During the fall season in Ohio, there is cooler weather, changing leaves, and, unfortunately, fleas and ticks. Preventing your pets from picking up these pests requires a year-round regimen, but the upcoming fall season is an active time for these parasites.
How Do Dogs and Cats Pick Up Fleas and Ticks?
It is fairly easy for cats and dogs to pick up parasites like fleas and ticks. They often pick them up by passing by trees and shrubs or lying outside in the grass. They can also catch them from other cats and dogs at the dog park, groomers, or in kennels.
Identifying Fleas and Ticks on Your Pet
When checking your pet for fleas, it’s important to look in warm, protected areas such as the neck, ears, groin, base of the tail, and armpits. Fleas are small dark bugs that move quickly and can jump. They are smaller than others and leave behind flea dirt which appears as tiny black specs resembling pepper grains. This is flea feces made of digested blood and can leave marks on their bedding or the carpet.
According to Summit County Public Health, 12 species of ticks are known to be encountered in Ohio, with the most common being the American Dog Tick. This tick feeds on a variety of medium—to large-sized mammals, including dogs and humans. These ticks are oval and flattened in shape, brown with whitish-to-gray markings. They are anywhere from 5-15mm in size, depending on whether they are engorged or not.
The second most common in Ohio is the Ixodes cookei, the hog tick. These ticks have eight legs, a tear-drop-shaped body, and a small head. They can be brown, black, or various other colors and patterns and are typically 1mm to 3/4 of an inch in size. Other ticks found in Ohio include, but are not limited to:
- Deer ticks or the black-legged tick—This tick is oval-shaped, with black legs and dark brown to black coloring. It is roughly the size of a sesame seed.
- Lone Star ticks—This is a brown tick with a white spot or streak on its body. The female is about 1/4 inch long but can grow up to 1/2 inch after eating. Male ticks of this type are smaller.
- Brown dog ticks- These are reddish-brown, oval-shaped, and about 1/8 inch long.
When checking your dog or cat for ticks, check between their toes, under the front legs and collar, around their eyelids, in and around their ears, and around their tail.
Dangers of Fleas and Ticks
While fleas are known to cause itchiness, they can also lead to:
- Hair loss
- Allergy dermatitis
- Anemia (in extreme cases)
- Ticks, on the other hand, don’t cause a lot of obvious discomfort such as itching, but their bites can lead to other severe symptoms such as:
- Anemia
- Paralysis
- Serious Infections (such as Lyme disease)
These risks threaten your pet’s health, so it is vital to have a regimen for preventing your pet from catching fleas or ticks year-round, especially during the peak seasons.
Peak Flea and Tick Season
In Ohio, ticks and fleas are most active from March to December due to the warmer, wet weather. The cooler, drier winter weather will offer your pets some relief, but it is crucial to treat against fleas throughout all seasons. Summer is one of the most active times for fleas and ticks, with some of the worst seasons being fall, in September, October, and November.
Research has shown that the number of fleas on cats and dogs is 70% higher in the fall than in the spring. This increase is primarily caused by animals’ thicker winter coats paired with warm and wet weather.
Effectively Treating Fleas and Ticks in Dogs and Cats
If you find fleas on your pet, be sure to have the diagnosis confirmed by your veterinarian. Once it is confirmed, use an oral or topical treatment to kill the fleas or use powders, sprays, or shampoos that are specifically formulated for your pet. Your veterinarian can make recommendations. Do not use any products that are intended for dogs on cats.
You should also thoroughly clean your home, including all upholstery, rugs, bedding, and carpet. More severe cases of fleas may require a fogger or a spray, which will require you to temporarily evacuate your home. Use a flea comb on your pet, and be sure to wash their bedding once a week.
It is important to remove ticks immediately when they are found. Many of the same products used to treat fleas will also kill ticks and help prevent future infestations.
Protecting Your Pet from Fleas and Ticks
Most pets will encounter fleas or ticks in their lifetime unless they are strictly indoor animals. The best way to prevent your pet from becoming infected with these parasites is to maintain a regular flea and tick treatment regimen. Types of flea and tick treatments include:
- Pills
- Chewable tablets
- Topical treatments
These year-round treatments are the best way to keep fleas and ticks at bay. Flea treatments work by using pesticides to kill the adult fleas on your dog or cat. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these pesticides are safe for use around people and pets. Many of these medications also include insect-growth regulators, which prevent fleas from reproducing and laying eggs.
In addition to medications, you can also apply treatments to your property to keep these parasites away. You can spray your yard and garden with a variety of outdoor spray solutions. It is also recommended that you keep garbage sealed and shut to keep flea—and tick-infested feral animals from infesting your property.
Other tips for avoiding ticks and fleas include:
- Avoid weedy, tick-infested areas
- Inspect your pet throughout the tick season
- Regularly mow your lawn and remove the tall weeds surrounding your property
- Keep the inside of your home free of organic debris
Removing Ticks From Your Dog
If you find a tick on your pet, it should be removed immediately. Before removing a tick, put on gloves to protect yourself from tick bites. Follow these steps to remove the tick:
- Gently grasp the tick using fine-tipped tweezers. Be sure to grab the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible.
- Slowly pull the tick straight out in one steady motion. Twisting or jerking could damage the tick’s head and leave it embedded in your pet’s skin.
- You can place the tick into a container with rubbing alcohol to kill it, then discard it.
- Clean the bite site by applying a small amount of antiseptic solution.
- Keep an eye on the area for any signs of infection like pain, swelling, or redness. Consult with your veterinarian promptly if symptoms occur.
Do not use home remedies for removal; if you can’t remove the tick, get assistance from your veterinarian.
Schedule Your Pet’s Exam Today!
At the Animal Medical Center of Streetsboro, we are dedicated to helping your pet live a long and healthy life. If you suspect your pet may be infested with fleas or ticks, schedule an exam today. Our highly trained veterinarian staff will evaluate your pet’s condition and prescribe the best products to help eliminate fleas or ticks.
Contact us today to learn more about tick and flea prevention.
Q&A Section: Flea and Tick Prevention for Pets in Ohio
Q: How do pets get fleas and ticks?
A: Pets can pick up fleas and ticks by passing through grassy areas, shrubs, and trees. They can also acquire them from other animals at dog parks, kennels, groomers, or even in their own backyard.
Q: When is flea and tick season in Ohio?
A: Fleas and ticks are most active from March to December, with peak infestations occurring in the fall (September to November).
Q: What are the best ways to prevent fleas and ticks on my pet?
A: Regular flea and tick prevention treatments, such as chewable tablets, pills, or topical applications, are essential. Keeping your lawn mowed, avoiding weedy areas, and treating your yard with safe sprays can also help.
Q: How do I treat my home for fleas?
A: Vacuum regularly, wash pet bedding frequently, and consider using flea sprays or foggers for severe infestations. Treating your pet and their environment at the same time is crucial.
Q: Can fleas and ticks infest indoor pets?
A: Yes. Even indoor pets can get fleas and ticks if they come into contact with humans or other animals that carry them inside. Regular prevention is recommended.
Q: Where can I get professional help for flea and tick prevention?
A: The Animal Medical Center of Streetsboro offers expert veterinary services to diagnose and treat flea and tick infestations. Schedule an appointment to ensure your pet stays protected year-round!
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