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Spring into the Season with Your Pet
By Faxon Animal Rescue League
It’s time for long-closed windows to be thrown open, heavy coats to be returned to the closet, and floors swept and mopped for spring cleaning. It’s also time to learn about the seasonal health threats that can face your furry friend so you can guard against potential dangers to your pet’s well being.
As warm weather chases away the chill, ticks, fleas and mosquitoes begin to flourish. These parasitic insects can pose risks to the health of your pets, so preventative steps should be taken to keep them pest and disease free.
Ticks are a particular problem in New England where the native black-legged or “deer” tick lives; this hard-bodied tick carries the potentially deadly Lyme disease. In humans, Lyme disease can cause such serious symptoms as severe headache and muscle aches, fever, and even paralysis. Animals may have symptoms similar to those seen in people including fever and swollen joints. It is very important to your pet’s health to keep these parasites at bay.
The main problem with fleas is itching. Fleas feast on the blood of their hosts, which not only causes itching where they bite, but everywhere, since they crawl uncomfortably all over the skin. Fleas can also cause anemia in young pets or in older animals. Tapeworms can be transmitted by fleas and some pets are extremely allergic to flea bites. In these pets, fleas may cause a rash, inflammation, and hair loss. Fleas, unlike ticks, can spread throughout your home, creating an uncomfortable environment for you and your pets.
Consult your vet for the most appropriate flea and tick prevention product to administer to your pet. He or she will prescribe a product like Frontline or Advantage based on the species, age and weight of your pet. Bathing and grooming your animal and vacuuming your home often can also help to keep fleas and ticks under control.
We all know how pesky mosquitoes can be - and no one likes their bites - but mosquitoes can transfer potentially deadly parasites called heartworms to your dog, and even your cat. When spring arrives, rain is more common. We fill our birdbaths and perhaps even bring out the kiddie pool. Be aware that mosquitoes breed in standing water and they want nothing more than to feast on your pet’s blood. When mosquitoes bite, they have the potential to transmit heartworms that develop in the right atrium of the host, where they can live for many years. Infection may result in serious disease or death. Talk to your vet about taking steps to avoid heartworm infection such as giving your pet a monthly dose of heartworm prevention medication like Heartguard and Interceptor, among others.
The simplest way to keep your pets safe from infected mosquitoes is to keep them indoors when mosquito populations are high. Have your vet screen your dog or cat annually for heartworm infection; the simple blood test only takes a few minutes to complete and can save your pet’s life.
Now that you know more about the danger that fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can pose, be sure to make an appointment with your veterinarian to secure a healthy summer and lifetime for your pet. Call Sylvan Animal Clinic at 474 Durfee Street, Fall River, MA. at 508-679-6122 to make an appointment.
Faxon Animal Rescue League
Visit the League and the Clinic at 474 Durfee Street, Fall River, MA 02720 or view our adoptable animals at www.faxonarl.org. For more information or directions call 508-676-1061. The shelter and the Sylvan Animal Clinic are open Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm and Thursday from 12:00pm - 7:00pm. Call 508-679-6122 to make an appointment or 508-676-1061 with questions about the shelter.
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