Help Your Pets Avoid Insects that Can Hurt You as Well

Have you ever heard of Flea Allergies? Cat-Scratch Disease (not Ted Nugent)? Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? Or how about Lyme Disease?  I am sure you are all familiar with that last one, and you also likely know how life changing it can be to contract Lyme Disease.  But the truth is all of these above named diseases are terrible and you don’t want them.  But you do want to keep your cute dog, right?  Good, then it must be understood that our pets, especially during this upcoming summer, put us at risk of contracting many of these diseases and many more.  So let’s review how you can spot and treat your pets before they or anyone else in your home becomes diseased.

Fleas are often spotted on dogs when their owners notice that there dog is itching excessively.  This would be a good time to take them to a vet and discuss proper flea control shampoo, and preventive methods before they spread to others in the household.  A routine examination for fleas is of course the first step, but fleas can be easily extinguished before they cause disease.  Many effective topical and oral remedies are available as treatments.

Ticks you especially want to avoid because you know they can cause their host to develop Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Always be weary of your dog or cat moving in tall grass as this is where ticks like to hang out.  Once you bring your pets indoors check them thoroughly for any ticks that may be burrowing into your their body.  Once a tick is found–destroy it!  And keep your long grass mowed, and check the rest of the family.

There is no such preventative medicine that can guarantee your dogs and cats will not fall victim to fleas or ticks.  The only thing you can do is keep your grass low, your eyes peeled, and check your pets thoroughly when they reenter your home.

How are you going to protect your pets from nasty insects this summer?