Fleas, ticks running rampant
Mild winter, recent rains lead to pest population boom

If you have noticed an invasion of fleas and ticks lately, you are not alone. Many pet owners are reporting that Fido and Felix are already being bothered by these pesky parasites. This year's bumper crop of fleas and ticks could be the result of the mild winter and the good rains over the last couple of months. But there's no doubt about it: Flea and tick populations are exploding this year.
The American Veterinary Medical Association provides information explaining that the common flea found on cats and dogs is known as Ctenocephalides felis, or the cat flea, because it was originally discovered on a cat in 1835. Although this species of flea accounts for 95 percent of all fleas found on dogs and cats, there are more than 2,000 different species of fleas.
According to Doctor Joe Wurster of Colonial Park Animal Hospital and my co-host of the "Doctor Joe and the Dog Man Radio Show," the skin and fur of dogs and cats are ideal places where fleas can feed and breed. Fleas either lay eggs directly onto a pet, or they may deposit eggs into the pet's surrounding environment like carpet and bedding. These eggs hatch into larvae that survive by ingesting dried blood and animal dander. The larvae next develop into pupae that hatch into adults. So the immediate source of adult fleas is the pet's environment, not the pet itself. Once the growth cycle of the flea is completed, it hops back onto your pet, and the cycle begins again.
Wurster warns that fleas can cause several medical problems for your pet. Among these is flea allergy dermatitis, or "FAD." When a flea bites your pet, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin. If your pet develops an allergic reaction to this saliva, it can be a painful event for Fido or Felix. Your pet will scratch or bite excessively around the tail, groin or backside that can cause your pet to lose its hair in these locations. In addition to hair loss, scabs or bumps may also appear on your pet's neck or back. Another medical problem caused by fleas is anemia, which occurs in young, older or ill pets if too many fleas suck their blood. The symptoms of anemia include pale gums, weakness and lethargy in your pet.
Fleas also act as an intermediate host for the tapeworm and may contain the eggs of this intestinal parasite. If you see tapeworm segments in your dog's stool, your pet may have had fleas at one time or may still have them. Through grooming or biting itself, the animal ingests an adult flea containing tapeworm eggs. Once released, the tapeworm grows to maturity in the small intestine. The cycle can take less than a month, so a key to tapeworm prevention is flea control.
The second member of this deadly parasite duo is the tick. After the mosquito, the tick is the No. 2 vector in the world for transmitting deadly disease. Wurster states, "We place a lot of importance in preventing ticks in our pets because ticks are more than just blood-sucking parasites. Along with mosquitoes, ticks are responsible for transmitting many diseases in dogs and in humans."
Like fleas, ticks go through a life cycle with each developmental stage of a tick's life requiring a blood meal in order to reach the next stage. Ticks lay eggs in secluded areas of dense vegetation that are several inches high. After hatching, the larvae move into grass or shrubs in search of their first blood meal. When a potential host like your cat or dog or yourself passes by, ticks attach themselves and crawl upward to find an area to feed from on the skin. After this first meal, the larvae molt into their nymph stage and begin searching for their next host. Nymphs are the size of a freckle and often go undetected, increasing the chance for disease transmission. The adult female feeds for 8 to 12 days, possibly increasing her weight 100 times while feeding.
Ticks carry diseases that can cause harmful, sometimes fatal, medical conditions in both companion animals and in humans. Ehrlichiosis is an infectious blood disease that attacks your pet's white blood cells, crippling its immune system. Symptoms include fever, depression, weight loss and loss of appetite. Doctor Wurster and his colleagues have seen a sharp increase of this disease this spring compared to the last two years.
Another disease that can is transmitted by a tick bite is Lyme Disease. This is a bacterial infection that is usually carried by the deer tick. Symptoms include lameness, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and an abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes.
The American dog tick can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, coughing, lameness, depression, vomiting and diarrhea. If untreated, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can result in the more acute symptoms, or even death.
So how do you win the fight against fleas and ticks? According to Wurster, prevention is the key. He gives the following suggestions to help you win the battle:

• Clean your yard: Remove tick habitats by clipping tall grass and trimming bushes.
• Avoid tall grass: Keep your pets far away from this tick breeding ground.
• Check your house: Designate one day a week as Flea and Tick Control Day. Vacuum the house and furniture. Wash all your pet's bedding and wipe horizontal surfaces with a citrus-based cleaner.
• Groom daily: Set your pet on a clean sheet and brush his or her coat with a flea comb. Examine the skin for ticks.
• Treat your pet: Use a veterinarian-recommended topical product such as Frontline or a Preventic collar.

In the long run, making a vigilant effort to prevent fleas and ticks can save the great expense of treating your pet should it become ill and treating your yard and home should they become infested. Always consult your veterinarian if you need assistance in maintaining a parasite-free environment for your pets. Licensed veterinarians have the expertise and products to help you repel the flea and tick invasion.
FYI: National Pet Week is May 5-11, and this year's theme is "People, Pets, and Veterinarians ... A Winning Team!" The American Veterinary Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the North American Veterinary Technician Association Inc. and the Auxiliary to the AVMA sponsor this annual event. This would be a great opportunity for you to take your beloved companion animals in for a check up and thank your vet for all the work he or she does.
Eamon P. Riley is a professional dog trainer and animal behavioral consultant. For suggestions or comments, he can be emailed at dogmanusmc@ aol.com