Protect Your Pets: Summer Parasites and the Dangers They Impose

Summer’s hotter temperatures and sunshiny days bring loads opportunities for both you and your pets to have fun outdoors. But with the warmer days comes an influx of pesky parasites that are more than just annoying – They can seriously hurt your pet, even to a deadly level! With the rather tepid winter we had nationwide, parasites are going to be even more profuse this year but, thanks to modern veterinary science, there is much we can do to keep our furry friends safe from these unwelcome guests.

Fleas are most likely the first summer parasites that come to mind. These insects spread from other outdoor animals, such as neighbors’ pets, feral cats, opossums, and raccoons. These animals continually re-infest yards. Fleas living outdoors climb onto your pet, feed on their blood, and lay their eggs. These eggs will drop off and invade your carpet, rugs, and bedding. Symptoms of flea infestation include itching, scratching, hair loss, and scabby skin. If you part your pet’s fur, you will see the actual fleas and “flea dirt”, black or brown specs that are flea feces. Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva. This allergic reaction can cause hair loss, dermatitis, and infection. A flea infected with tapeworms can give them to your dog if he swallows a flea while scratching himself with his teeth. Fleas are both easy to avoid and get rid of. There are numerous topical solutions, collars, shampoos, and chewable tablets to fight fleas that vary in effectiveness. Your vet can help you pick out the right preventative for your dog.

Mosquitoes are one of the most bothersome parasites out there. These blood sucking insects’ bites leave red bumps that itch for days! They also carry the awful West Nile Virus, of which there is no protection from. The best course of action in avoiding the West Nile is to keep yourself and your pet inside at sunset and around early evening hours when disease ridden mosquitoes are hunting for blood. Mosquitoes also pass on heartworms, which can be deadly. These are long, threadlike worms that cause heart and circulatory problems with dogs. Prevention of this parasite is important to summer time survival and fortunately, very simple. There are variety monthly products your vet can prescribe to fight off these pests. Ticks thrive in trees, long grass, and shrubbery. These parasites grab onto your dogs’ fur and then latch onto their skin, feeding on their blood. On top of blood loss and anemia, they can also give your dog Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can cause lameness, painful joint inflammation, and loss of appetite. This can also be spread to humans from pets.

Ticks are easy to see. If you’ve taken your pet into wooded or grassy areas, visually check your dog once arriving home. If you discover a tick, grab onto its head and pull it directly out of your dog’s skin. Once you remove it, put antibiotic ointment on the area. Many flea preventatives also include tick prevention as well, which makes them a very convenient way to combat these summer parasites.
 Roundworms and hookworms are intestinal parasites your pet can get when coming in contact with feces contaminated soil. These pests can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anemia and can be given to humans. Multiple doses of medication may be necessary if your pet is infested with worms, but they are pretty easy to get rid of once diagnosed. Make sure to wash your hands and your dog’s paws if you come in contact with contaminated soil to avoid these worms.

 Parasites are very unpleasant and can wreck your summer fun. The warmer months of spring, summer, and early fall are the worst time for these pests because this is when their hosts – you and your dogs – are most accessible but, with preventative methods and a watchful eye, you can keep both you and your four legged friends from suffering through a lot of pain and discomfort. Have a preventative plan in place with your vet in advance and if you notice your pet displaying any unusual behavior make sure to take them in for a screening.