Dr. Kerry Kraemer and veterinary technician Ron Garica examine a dog at Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago.

(ARA) – Summertime brings hot weather, camping trips and, for pet owners, fleas and ticks. These small bugs aren’t a small concern. Ticks are second only to mosquitoes as vectors of human diseases, and flea and tick populations are on the rise nationwide.

“When it comes to external parasites like fleas and ticks, prevention is a far better answer to the problem than having to visit a veterinarian after an infestation has occurred,” says Dr. James O. Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Cook says that a female flea will begin laying eggs within the first 24 hours of infesting your pet and will produce 50 eggs a day. Once these hatch, the larvae can burrow into carpets, under furniture and then, weeks later, they can re-infest your pet.

“It’s far better to avoid all this pain and suffering for you and your pet by using preventative treatments,” Cook says. “Ask your veterinarian for information.”

Dr. Michael W. Dryden, a professor of veterinary medicine at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a flea and tick expert, says that both flea and tick problems are on the rise in the United States. Tick populations have been increasing, particularly in Eastern states for well over a decade, and flea populations have surged over the past couple years, particularly in Southern and Central states.

“It’s well-documented that there is an upswing in tick populations, particularly in the Eastern United States, and it has to do with the upswing in the population of Whitetail Deer,” Dryden says. By the early 1900s, hunting and farming practices in this country had nearly eradicated Whitetail Deer, but today there are close to 30 million deer across the country.

This great conservation success has a cost. Lyme disease, which is carried by ticks on Whitetail Deer, is also on the rise in parts of the United States. The best way to prevent diseases spread by ticks is to use a preventative medication. Prompt removal of ticks is very important because it reduces the chance of disease transmission from the tick to your pet. Firmly grip the tick with tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and gently remove it without twisting. Do not burn the tick with heat or alcohol as this can actually lead to the spread of disease by causing the tick to regurgitate.

Dryden says that the surge in flea populations is a bit of a mystery today. “At about 1999, we thought we had the flea problem licked,” Dryden says. “But in the past couple years, there has been a resurgence, and we really don’t know why. There are a lot of theories, but nobody has been able to prove why flea populations are now increasing in some areas, such as in Southern and Central states.”

The good news is that in the past two and a half years there have been four recently approved parasite control medications introduced in this country. So pet owners have more tools to prevent these pesky, disease-carrying pests, but pet owners should seek the advice of a veterinarian before selecting a treatment.

“I tell people to go into their veterinarian and let your veterinarian choose the appropriate parasite medication for your pet and your region, because parasites can be very local, varying by state or even within a county or city,” Dryden says.”Veterinarians are the best source of information about the appropriate choice of parasite control.”

For more information, or to get a helpful brochure on how to deal with ticks, fleas, ear mites, mange mites and other external parasites, visit www.avma.org. For instructional videos, visit AVMA-TV or the AVMA Media Library.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dr. Heather Case of the American Veterinary Medical Association applies a simple first-aid wrap for a patient at the home of one of her clients.

(ARA) – Planting a garden, spring cleaning, fertilizing the lawn — we all have lots of work to do with the coming of spring. But pets also have health and safety needs this time of year that their owners should know about.

“I see it all the time in my clinic in the springtime. Animals get into fertilizers and pesticides, those used on a home or on a farm, and it makes the animals sick,” says Dr. James Cook, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “People need to be aware of these potential hazards. Along with better weather, the spring brings with it the use of a number of common lawn chemicals and the blooming of plants that can be hazardous to pets.”

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 spring hints for pet owners:

*Fleas and ticks
They can be tiny, little more than a pinhead in some instances, but they grow and spread quickly once they find a host. The preventative treatments that you may have discontinued in the winter should start early in the spring to keep your pet’s coat, and your home, free of pests.

*Lawn fertilizers
Lawn fertilizers are very toxic to pets. Store fertilizers in a place far from where your dog or cat — and children– can get at it. After applying it to your lawn, follow manufacturer instructions on how long you should wait before allowing your pet into the area. If you see a sign posted on a lawn that tells you to keep your pets off, abide by it.

*Pesticides and herbicides
It’s probably not surprising that these chemicals can be toxic to your pets, but, even when they’re not lethal, there are some long-term health concerns. Studies indicate the use of pesticides and herbicides may be tied to increased rates of specific forms of cancer in dogs. If your pet is exposed, wash them with soap and water immediately and call your veterinarian.

*Cocoa bean mulch
It’s becoming common to mulch a garden with the fragrant spent shells of cocoa beans. But just like chocolate, dogs like to eat them and they are toxic.

*Lilies
Lilies are a flower common in the spring, and they are very, very toxic to cats. Cats will often chew them, and even small amounts can lead to kidney failure and death.

*Rhubarb leaves
Rhubarb makes a fine pie and it’s a staple in many vegetable gardens, but the leaves are poisonous and can cause kidney failure. For a complete list of plants and plantings that can be dangerous to pets, visit www.avma.org.

*Rat and mouse poisons
Controlling vermin becomes an issue again in the spring. Be aware that the same properties of common rat and mouse poisons that make them irresistible to pests will also attract your pet. If consumed, these can be fatal to your animal.

*Cleaning products
Spring cleaning is an annual tradition in many households, but make sure the cleaning products don’t hurt your animals. If the label states “keep pets and children away from area until dry” follow those instructions carefully, and store all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

*Paint and paint thinners
If you’re putting a fresh coat of paint on the house, keep the pets away. Paint thinners, mineral spirits and other solvents can cause severe irritation or chemical burns if swallowed or even if they come in contact with your pet’s skin. Latex house paints typically produce a minor stomach upset, but some specialty paints may contain heavy metals or volatile substances that could be harmful if ingested.

*Preventative medications
Consult with your veterinarian about seasonal medications to keep your pet healthy. For example, in many parts of the country, heartworm medications for dogs are often discontinued in the winter. Springtime is the season to restart this medication to keep your dog free of this parasite. But keep in mind that manufacturer’s instructions warn that heartworm medications should not be given without first visiting your veterinarian to ensure that your pet has not developed the heartworm parasite. A simple blood test will give you that peace of mind.

For more information, visit www.avma.org. For a full-length video on common household poisons and hazards, visit www.avmatv.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent