NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With spring's official start this week, it's time to pay attention to caring for your pet to prevent fleas and ticks from making their life and your life miserable.
"This year, without being the start of a terrible drought like we've had the last two or three, it looks like we're going to have some moisture and humidity," said Jon Austin, DVM, with Hutchinson Small Animal Hospital. "Those factors go into success for hatching and living for fleas and ticks in our environment."
You still might be OK right now, with a drop into the 20s for Friday night, but plans should be underway.
"The ticks will definitely be out as soon as we quit having frost nights," Austin said. "As soon as the nights quit freezing, the ticks will be present. I've got clients that are country folk or are going camping kind of people, that live out in the woods, they're already buying their, in my practice, Bravecto, but there are lots of brands of the new generation of flea and tick control products that you can give your pet."
The treatments can be either oral or topical and they usually last 30 to 90 days before needing another dose.
"A lot of people get grossed out or kind of get the heebie jeebies if they think about their pet having an insect on it," Austin said. "Then, it can get into the house and get on them. That's okay to feel that way, but the real concern is that those insects also bring disease to your pet or could bring disease to you."
Ticks can be especially dangerous for humans, as they can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and others. Check with your veterinarian right away if you do not have any flea and tick preventer at home already.
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