An important part of keeping your pet safe in the warmer months is pest prevention—summer is prime-time for infections and infestations caused by parasites and other unsightly critters! Is your pet ready to face the challenge? It’s crucial to remember that some of these pests can transmit diseases not only to your pets but also to humans. For more information on this topic, you might want to read our article on You Can Catch These Diseases From Your Dog. Now, let’s delve into some specific summertime pests and how to help your pet avoid the danger.
Fleas
Fleas are one of the most common pet pests this time of year. A flea infestation can be time-consuming and troublesome to eradicate, and fleas can quickly multiply and infest your family’s bedding, clothing, and furniture. That’s why prevention is the best method! Talk to your veterinarian for information about a good flea preventative that works for your animal companion’s needs.
Ticks
Ticks can transmit serious diseases, such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more. Because ticks are difficult to detect, especially on pets with long or thick hair, you might not know your pet has been bitten until symptoms start to show up! Keep your animal friend on a high-quality tick preventative and check your companion whenever you return indoors, just to be safe.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos are problematic in the warmer months for both pets and humans. Not only can mosquitos give your pet serious diseases like the West Nile virus, they are the carriers of heartworm, something that affects thousands of pets every year. Keeping your pet on a heartworm preventative is the first step toward full protection; you can also limit mosquitos’ presence in your yard by removing any sources of standing water, where mosquitos like to breed.
Worms
Heartworm isn’t the only type of worm to be worried about in the summer months. Hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and even tapeworms present a serious threat to your animal companion! Fortunately, a quality heartworm preventative will keep these pests at bay—if your pet is in need of a worm preventative, contact your vet’s office right away.
Botflies
The botfly is another warm-weather pet pest that can harm our four-legged friends, especially in late summer and even into early fall. Botflies lay eggs that eventually release maggots; your pet might contract the maggots when they brush up against grass or other plant life. From there, maggots can burrow under your pet’s skin and start causing problems. Luckily, heartworm medications and flea-and-tick preventatives usually prevent the problem entirely!
Is your pet in need of pest-control products for the summer? Contact us, your local animal clinic in Hobe Sound, FL today! If your pet is experiencing skin irritations or allergic reactions due to these pests, our Pet Allergies and Veterinary Dermatology service can provide specialized care to address these issues.
