Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are parasites found outside on your dog’s skin, they are also known as ectoparasites.

Ticks are active whenever the weather is above 4 degrees Celsius. They hide in areas of tall grasses or thick forests and wait for their next meal, your dog, to pass by. We are concerned about ticks because they carry many serious diseases that your dog can become infected with.

Fleas love to jump around your dog and bite its skin to get a meal of blood. They make your dog very itchy and they can even bite you!

How can I tell if my dog has fleas or ticks?

Most dogs infected with fleas will be very itchy and sometimes you can even see them crawling around. Ticks poke out of your dog’s skin and you may find them while giving your dog a good scratch.

How can I prevent fleas and ticks on my dog?

The veterinarians at Seneca Animal Clinic recommend your dog take preventive medication against fleas and ticks to stop from any infestation. These medications should be taken monthly whenever the weather is above 4 degrees Celsius. We also recommend giving your dog a thorough scratching whenever you come inside from a hike through the woods to help detect ticks.

What are the treatment options for dogs who have ticks?

Special tick removal tweezers are used to remove a tick from your dog. It is important that you do not try to remove the tick yourself as the mouth-parts can get stuck in your dog’s skin. Your veterinarian may recommend follow-up blood and urine testing to detect any possible tick-transmitted diseases.