No April Fool’s
April 1, 2025. April Fool’s Day. Silent-film star Lon Chaney’s 142nd birthday (if anyone remembers him—he was the Phantom of the Opera, after all).
Well, I’m not going to try to April-Fool you, especially when it comes down to fleas, ticks, and your beloved four-legged friend. Because these little critters can do BIG damage to your cherished animal companions.
See, it’s about this time of year that fleas and ticks begin to come out of hibernation. They tend to prefer going about their business during the warmer months, and—as you know—we’re heading into those.
What might the mean for Bruno, your favorite mastiff?
Okay, we’ve established that I’m not looking to fool you. Let me also say that I’m not looking to scare you, either. But knowledge is power, right? So, a little knowledge regarding the dangers fleas and ticks pose to Bruno can only help us keep him safe.
Lyme Disease is one risk. Pesky deer ticks can transmit that. Once infected, Bruno may seem tired all the time. His lymph nodes might swell. His joints will start to ache. He might develop a fever. In extreme cases, his kidneys might fail, leading to death.
Certain ticks also have a venom that can cause what’s known as “tick paralysis,” a condition that will affect Bruno’s hind legs at first, and work its way up to his head.
Fleas are no fun, either. At the least, their saliva can cause dermatitis. Poor Bruno will itch like mad. And if he ingests one of these bugs while licking, he might end up with tapeworms.
Plus, if Bruno has ticks, there’s always the chance that one will hop off of him and land on you. So, you could end up with Lyme Disease or other such maladies. You get the idea.
Okay, let’s not dwell on the negative. None of these bad things will likely happen if we get a bit proactive.
How to begin? Well, Bruno is most likely to encounter these pesky bugs in a grassy and/or wooded area. Keeping him indoors would prevent that. But, let’s face it, he needs to be outside. So, it would make sense to inspect him for ticks—or, better still, to brush him out with a flea comb—after he’s spent time out in the world. Be mindful and check Bruno’s ears, neck, underarms, tail, and between his toes—these critters can be clever about hiding!
Regular baths will help as well. And you’ll want to keep him distant from wild animals—think deer—and stray dogs, too.
Plus, there are preventative methods, such as medication, topical treatments, and flea collars. There are also sprays and special shampoos. Check with us for recommendations based upon your pet’s breed, weight, and age. We’ll steer you in the right direction.
You’ll want to wash Bruno’s bedding and blankets every two-to-three weeks as well…in soapy hot water. (If there is an obvious infestation, you’ll need to throw the bedding and blankets out, and get new ones.)
Going forward, there are things you can do in the house to help your cause. To begin with, vacuuming regularly is a good way to suck up—and get rid of—these insect invaders. Pay particular attention when vacuuming carpets, crevices in the floor, and baseboards. Yes, these critters will hide in such places! Oh, and vacuum any cushioned furniture as well. They like to hang out there, too.
There are also measures you can take outside. To begin with, mow the lawn regularly. Also, get rid of any fallen leaves—ticks love to hide among them. And trim those bushes and shrubs; they like to stay there as well.
If you’re so inclined, you might utilize tick tubes—they contain ingredients that take out ticks, but are otherwise safe for pets and the environment. Pesticides are another option…just be sure to follow the directions! And, of course, in severe cases, you can always hire a pest control company.
What if—in spite of all of our noble preventative efforts—a tick does indeed infect Bruno with some foul disease? Well, that’s why we’re here. Make that call—(845)-292-6711.
Let’s say Bruno falls victim to Lyme Disease. Well, we have some options to help him get better. In general, a 30-day cycle of the antibiotic Doxycycline will do the trick. Plus, we might want to give him something for joint pain. And we’ll likely recommend following up with bloodwork just to make sure any infection has been cleared. An early diagnosis is best, so when you see Bruno exhibiting any of the symptoms, again, don’t hesitate—make that call.
What if Bruno is endlessly scratching thanks to fleas? Topical treatments can help—check with us for recommendations. In more severe cases, we might prescribe oral medications. And then, we can help you come up with a plan to help ensure that Bruno doesn’t have to suffer such discomfort again.
As always, this seems be a lot to take in. But that’s why the Animal Hospital of Sullivan County is here. We are happy to take you through your pet’s health plan step by step in the hopes of making it understandable—and practical—for both you and Bruno.
So…let’s embrace the warmer weather. Let’s look forward to the promise of summer. Let’s get out on the Catskills Tails on Trails locations and get some healthy exercise with our furry friends. Let’s just remember to take basic precautions against fleas and ticks.
And remember, there’s no April Foolery here!
Dr Barbara J Bodolosky DVM
Animal Hospital of Sullivan County
667 Harris Rd
Ferndale NY 12734