After working at a veterinary clinic and breeding french bulldogs for almost 10 years, there are questions I hear time and again about fleas, ticks and heartworm. Everything from how did my pet get fleas to what medications do I need to give? The following are some of the most common questions:
Fleas
What are fleas, and why are they a problem for pets? Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals. They can cause itching, irritation, allergic reactions, and even transmit diseases like tapeworms and flea-borne typhus.
How do fleas affect my pet's health? Fleas can cause anemia, especially in young or small pets, due to blood loss. They also spread parasites like tapeworms and can trigger flea allergy dermatitis, leading to severe skin irritation.
I’ve got fleas; What do I do? Don’t worry it can happen to anyone! Fleas can easily be transferred by people and other pets from outside and other homes. It does usually take a few months of giving a flea preventative to completely get rid of the problem. Most products kill the live flea. All of the eggs have to hatch on your pet to eradicate. This can takes a couple months. Don’t worry if you give a product and then you start seeing more fleas at first! If you’re using a reputable product, its likely doing its job by making the fleas sick and killing them. Its hard to find a healthy flea. They hide deep in the fur at the skin. Usually on the back end at the base of the tail. Once you’ve created an inhospitable environment the flea wants to escape and you start seeing them jump off your pet at a higher rate than before.
How long do fleas live, and can they survive without a host? Fleas can live several weeks to months. Without a host, adult fleas survive 1–2 weeks, but eggs and larvae can lie dormant for months.
What do I do about the carpet and furniture? After treating all pets in the home with a flea product. Wash your own bedding, pet bedding and vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! If your really worried or have a really bad infestation you could use Knockout, either in the spray or fogger form. Please read the directions carefully before use. Also be careful with products on carpet or furniture as they could discolor.
Can I just give the medication to the animal I see fleas on? I know medications can be expensive, but all cats and dogs in the home need to be treated all at the same time, for several months, for products to be effective. If they aren’t, the pet that was treated will just be re-infested! Even though you don’t see fleas on the other animals, they have them too! Cats are notorious flea carriers. If they have long hair, you don’t see the fleas until it’s a BIG problem.
My pet doesn’t have fleas, it doesn’t go outside! It doesn’t matter. Fleas and ticks are very good at hitching rides on people and other animals. That stray cat your feeding is bringing them right up to the door! Your friend that came over just brought them on her pant leg from her home! Your indoor only pet has less exposure, but they’re still at risk for fleas, ticks and heartworm.
Its cold outside, do I still need to give prevention? It needs to be below 10F for several days for a tick to die in the elements. If they’re attached to an animal like a deer they will survive a cold snap. I’ve also watched a video of a tick climbing a blade of grass, freeze, defrost and then continue on its way! Its pretty amazing what they can live through. Fleas aren’t quite as hardy. They’ll die after several days under 30F. However, they still thrive indoors and larva and eggs can stay dormant long term until the environment improves. It’s recommended to continue prevention year-round even in colder climates.
What are the signs my pet might have fleas? Itching is one of the most common signs. Some pets are highly allergic to flea saliva. When a flea bites them, they itch so much, they can make skin abrasions that cause skin infections (Your vet will say, flea allergy dermatitis!). In lots of cases pets with skin infections have a root cause of a flea infestation. If the problem has caused a skin infections it will take not only flea medication but also a trip to the vet for some antibiotics. Another sign is looking for flea dirt, which appear as small black specks on the skin. You can confirm flea dirt by placing a small amount on a paper towel and applying some rubbing alcohol. If the mix turns a reddish-brown its flea waste mixed with blood. A lot of times you will see your pet biting or hair loss at their butt above the tail. This is a good indication of fleas.
What’s the best way to prevent fleas on my pet? Use veterinarian-recommended flea prevention methods, such as topical treatments, oral medications or flea collars.
Ticks
What are ticks, and why are they a problem? Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Ehrlichiosis.
Which ticks transfer Lyme disease? The Black-legged tick, also known as the Deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Its best to pick a tick preventative that covers this type of tick if you live in the north eastern side of the United States.
How do I safely remove a tick from my pet?
- Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.
- Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure.
- Avoid twisting or crushing the tick.
- Clean the bite area with antiseptic after removal.
- Save the tick in a sealed container for identification if disease symptoms develop.
Heartworm
What is heartworm disease? Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms (Dirofilaria immitis) that live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of infected dogs. It is transmitted through mosquito bites.
Can indoor-only dogs get heartworm disease? Yes, mosquitoes can enter homes, so indoor-only dogs are still at risk and need preventative medication.
Why do I need a heartworm test if I give heartworm medication? It can actually be extremely dangerous to give a heartworm positive dog, heartworm medication. A lot depends on which heartworm medication it is and what stage of heartworm your dog has. I know I’m not perfect at giving my heartworm prevention every month, even when I was working at the vet clinic! A lapse in medication is extremely easy, so its best practice for safety, to check dogs yearly. It could save their life. It’s recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to heartworm test prior to starting medication and every year after.
Do I need to give my dog heartworm prevention year-round? Yes, most vets recommend year-round prevention, even in colder climates, as mosquitoes can appear unpredictably indoors or during warm spells. Most heartworm preventatives also carry a guarantee that if you've given heartworm treatment year round (you must have receipts for purchase) and your pet gets heartworm, they will cover the cost of treatment. Treating heartworm can be extremely expensive. Check with your brand of preventative to see if this is their guarantee.
How is heartworm disease diagnosed? Vets diagnose heartworm disease with a blood test that detects the presence of heartworm proteins (antigens) or microfilariae (heartworm larvae in the bloodstream).
What are the symptoms of heartworm disease in dogs?
Early stages may not show symptoms. Early treatment is key to minimizing damage or death. This is why yearly heartworm testing is important. As the disease progresses, common signs include:
- Persistent cough
- Fatigue after moderate activity
- Weight loss
- Difficulty breathing
- Swollen belly (due to fluid buildup)
How is heartworm disease treated? Treatment involves a combination of injections to kill adult worms, medications to eliminate microfilariae, and strict rest during recovery. Treatment is costly, lengthy, and carries some risks, which is why prevention is crucial.
Can heartworm disease be cured? Yes, with prompt and proper treatment, many dogs can recover. However, severe cases may result in lasting organ damage.
Why did my puppy not have a heartworm test at their vet visit? It takes 7 months after a dog has become infected to test positive via the heartworm antigen test. This is because it takes about six months for heartworm larvae to develop into mature heartworms in a dog's bloodstream. Usually, the first heartworm test your dog will have is at year one.
Personal use recommendations:
What do you personally recommend? (this is 2024 info – medications are constantly changing) For my girls that will be coming into heat or are pregnant or lactating – Bravecto and Interceptor (not Interceptor Plus). For dogs not in a breeding program – Simparica Trio or NexGard Plus. For dogs with history of neurological complications – Vectra 3D and Interceptor Plus or if Ticks and Lyme disease aren’t a huge concern, Revolution Plus. Vectra 3D or Bravecto would also be great paired with Proheart.
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