FERMO’s Desk: It’s a dangerous time of year for pets

Not to frighten pet owners but to inform them
This is a risky season for pets out for their regular outdoor walks. Read more about why pet owners should take precautions at this time of the year.

Understanding Heartworm, Flea, and Tick Risks

What Dog Owners Need to Know
As the weather warms and outdoor adventures beckon, dog owners must be vigilant about the increased risks that heartworm, fleas, and ticks pose to their pets. These parasites are more than just a nuisance—they can cause serious, sometimes fatal, health problems for dogs. Fortunately, with the right information and preventive measures, you can keep your canine companion safe all year long.

Heartworm Disease: A Silent but Deadly Threat

What is Heartworm?
Heartworm disease is a severe and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms (Dirofilaria immitis) that are transmitted through mosquito bites. Once inside a dog, these worms grow and live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels, leading to lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs.

How is Heartworm Spread?
Mosquitoes pick up microscopic heartworm larvae from infected animals and transmit them to healthy dogs when they bite. Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in every region in northeastern North America, making prevention a very broad concern.

Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms can include coughing, fatigue, weight loss, and difficulty breathing. If left untreated, heartworm disease can be fatal. Treating heartworm is costly and physically demanding for dogs, involving multiple vet visits, blood tests, x-rays, hospitalization, and a series of injections with drugs like melarsomine dihydrochloride. Treatment can also cause severe complications, such as blood clots in the lungs.

Prevention is Key
Prevention is far easier, safer, and less expensive than treatment. The American Heartworm Society recommends:

• Year-round prevention: Heartworm preventives are available as monthly chewable tablets, topical solutions, or injections given every 6 or 12 months. All require a veterinarian’s prescription.
• Annual testing: Even if your dog is on preventive medication, annual testing is essential to catch any breakthrough infections early.
• “Think 12”: Give heartworm prevention 12 months a year and test for heartworm every 12 months.

Some preventive products also protect against fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms. Discuss with your vet which product is best for your pet and your region.

Flea and Tick Season

When and Where Are Dogs Most at Risk?

Seasonal Patterns
Fleas and ticks thrive in warm, humid weather. In many parts of North Eastern America, their activity starts in spring and continues through late fall, but in warmer areas, they can be a year-round threat. For example:

• Northeast & Northwest: Tick season typically runs from mid-April to late October or early November.
• Midwest: Tick season may begin in late April and end in early October, with some years seeing longer activity due to warmer temperatures and increased precipitation.

Fleas: Small Pests, Big Problems
Fleas can cause intense itching, allergic reactions, and transmit tapeworms. A single flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, rapidly infesting your home and pet. Fleas thrive in mild, humid environments and can remain dormant in their pupal stage until conditions improve, making them a persistent threat.

Ticks: Disease Carriers
Ticks are not only uncomfortable for dogs but also dangerous, as they can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, tularemia, and babesiosis. Some ticks, such as the black-legged (deer) tick, are active even in cooler months and can survive through winter.

Prevention Strategies for Heartworm, Flea, and Tick Risks

1. Year-Round Preventive Medications

• Heartworm: Use veterinarian-prescribed preventives year-round. Options include monthly oral or topical medications, or injections every 6 or 12 months.
• Flea and Tick: Many heartworm preventives also protect against fleas and ticks. If not, use a separate flea and tick preventive as recommended by your vet.

2. Regular Veterinary Check-Ups

• Schedule annual heartworm tests, even if your dog is on prevention.
• Discuss the best parasite control plan for your dog’s lifestyle and local risks.

3. Environmental Management

• Keep lawns mowed and remove tall grasses and brush to reduce tick habitats.
• Vacuum your home frequently and wash your dog’s bedding in hot water to control flea eggs and larvae.
• Use veterinarian-approved yard treatments if infestations are severe.

4. Routine Checks

• Inspect your dog for ticks after walks, especially if you’ve been in wooded or grassy areas. Remove ticks promptly with tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling straight out.
• Watch for signs of flea infestation, such as excessive scratching, biting, or visible fleas and flea dirt.

5. Avoid “Natural” Remedies for Heartworm

• There are no proven natural preventives for heartworm. Only FDA-approved medications can reliably prevent infection. Drug-free strategies (like mosquito avoidance) can help reduce risk but are not substitutes for medication.

Regional Considerations and Climate Change
Climate change and shifting weather patterns are causing flea and tick seasons to start earlier and last longer in many regions. Some tick species, such as deer ticks, remain active even in cooler months, and warmer, wetter weather can extend both flea and tick activity. Always consult your veterinarian about the current risks in your area and adjust your prevention plan accordingly.

Protecting Your Dog Year-Round
Heartworm, fleas, and ticks are persistent threats to your dog’s health, but with proactive prevention and regular veterinary care, you can greatly reduce the risks. Use year-round preventive medications, maintain regular check-ups, and stay informed about local parasite activity. By taking these steps, you’ll ensure your dog stays healthy, happy, and ready for every season’s adventure.

____________________________________