{"id":1048,"date":"2018-05-24T08:01:10","date_gmt":"2018-05-24T15:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/feltonveterinaryhospital.com\/?p=1048"},"modified":"2022-08-08T10:27:17","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T17:27:17","slug":"flea-tick-and-heartworm-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.feltonveterinaryhospital.com\/blog\/flea-tick-and-heartworm-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Spring has definitely sprung in the San Lorenzo Valley, and if you\u2019re like us, you and your pets can\u2019t wait to get outside more and more. But before you head outside this spring and summer for gardening, trips to the dog park, hiking, and general frolicking, let\u2019s get up to date on parasite prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Felton flora and fauna wake up from their winter slumber, you better believe that parasites are awake, too. However, we\u2019ve also noticed that mosquitoes, fleas, and even ticks are even more resilient than ever, and with overall warmer winter temperatures and their ability to overwinter indoors (think: your garage, your shed, your house!), we\u2019re now recommending parasite prevention and control all year round. Here\u2019s more from <\/span>Felton Veterinary Hospital <\/span><\/a>about why prevention is your best medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Flea and Tick Prevention<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fleas and ticks are external parasites that can cause extreme discomfort and serious illness in pets and in people. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our area, fleas are prevalent due to the semi-rural nature of mountain living – lots of wildlife close by ensures that fleas have plenty of carriers. That, coupled with the number of domestic pets that are outdoors much of the time, leads to flea problems that can get out of control quickly! Pets can be made really uncomfortable by fleas, and fleas contribute to the spread of tapeworms and cat scratch fever (bartonellosis). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleas can also cause a severe allergic reaction in some pets, known as Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD). Pets with FAD are really miserable, and even one flea bite can cause pets with this condition to suffer. Hair loss, incessant itching, and raw, painful skin can result.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ticks are also found in abundance in the San Lorenzo Valley. They are most prevalent in early spring and fall, but are well adapted to live throughout the year. Ticks live in grassy areas or in brush and dark, moist areas where they wait for a host to walk by. They then crawl onto your pet and bite, attaching for up to several days while they feed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tick bites can be painful and irritating, and can even become infected. But of more serious concern are the diseases that can be transmitted by a tick bite. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n