Fleas

What they are: Fleas are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals including cats, dogs, and people and birds. 

Where they are found: Fleas are found throughout Ontario - not just in wooded or wild areas, but anywhere they can find warm bodies to feed on! This means it is very possible to come across fleas in our own backyards, or even in urban areas. Fleas live in the environment and only spend 5% of their time on an animal.

When they are found: Peak flea ‘season’ is said to be between August and October, however they can be found year-round, even in the winter. Incidences of fleas are increasing as Ontario winters become milder. We define flea season as the first thaw to the first frost that stays.

Why they are of concern: Fleas are of concern for a number of reasons. 1) they bite in order to feed on blood from their hosts, leaving itchy, swollen bumps behind. Not only does this cause itchiness and discomfort, but it can cause anemia due to blood loss - especially in smaller pets. 2) fleas transmit diseases/parasites including tapeworm and typhus. Fleas do not limit their bite to wildlife and pets, but use humans as hosts as well. 

How we can protect our pets from them: In order to fully protect your pet (and you!) from fleas, it is recommended to have your pet on a flea preventive year-round. As well, keep an eye out for evidence of fleas within your pets’ fur - check for evidence around ears and at the bases of tails. Fleas are very small and dark in colour and they leave behind debris often referred to as ‘flea dirt’ that looks similar to pepper grounds. If crushed on a white paper towel with water, this will turn a rusty red colour. Fleas leave behind small red bumps where they bite, often in clumps. Your pet may act differently if they have fleas - they may scratch a lot and they may be yelping or jumping as if startled as this is often how pets react when bitten by a flea. If you see any signs of fleas on your pets - do not hesitate to ask us about treatment.

Ticks

What they are: Ticks are arachnids, relatives of the spider and the scorpion. They are parasitic, and bite their hosts in order to consume their blood. They feed from many wildlife species, dogs, cats, and humans. There are many species of ticks, however those most commonly seen in Ontario are the black-legged tick (transmitter of Lyme disease) and the dog-tick.

Where they are found: While it is often said that ticks are only found in wooded or highly grassy areas THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE! Ticks, like fleas, are found wherever you can find wildlife, meaning they can be found anywhere outside in Ontario, including downtown Kitchener (we have personally seen an incidence of a tick bite in downtown Kitchener that led to Lyme disease!). 

When they are found: Ticks are especially prevalent in Ontario from May to November, but are found year round as they can survive near-freezing temperatures by burrowing deep in the leaf litter to stay warm. They come out even through the snow when the sun warms the area, and will feed and go back to the leaf litter when the temperature drops. 

Why they are of concern: Tick bites are not uncomfortable as they instill a numbing substance when they bite. Further, ticks can transmit a number of concerning diseases, most notably Lyme disease. The black-legged tick transmits a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for causing lyme disease. Lyme disease is a serious illness if contracted. In humans, it can cause fever, chills, aches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, facial paralysis, and permanent damage to organs in the body. In dogs, it can cause loss of appetite, lack of energy, soreness, swelling of the joints, and serious to fatal effects on the kidneys, heart, and brain. The dog-tick also transmits harmful bacteria including ehrlichia and anaplasma phagocytophilum. 

How we can protect our pets from them: We recommend checking your pet regularly for ticks. Ticks jump onto animals from the ground, and so are often found on the stomach, face, and limbs of pets. However, don’t forget to look in the mouth and ears, ticks can go anywhere on the body! If you find a tick on your pet, remove them as soon as possible without pinching. Use a tick twister or other tool to remove without squeezing. This is very important because the longer a tick remains biting you or your pet, the higher the risk of lyme disease transmission, and squeezing will inject any bacteria the tick is carrying into your pet. You can help prevent your pets from getting sick from flea bites by placing them on preventive medication year-round. Additionally, lyme vaccinations are available for your pet!

Heartworm

What they are: Heartworms are described quite accurately by their name - they are parasitic worms that live as adults inside the heart, lungs, and blood vessels of dogs, cats, and in humans (rarely). 

Where they are found: Heartworm is transmitted through mosquito bites, and so are found everywhere in Ontario that there are mosquitos - which means everywhere. In most areas of Ontario, prevalence of heartworm is low (around 0.5%), however in some parts of Southern Ontario, the incidence of heartworm is much higher (around 5-10%). Mosquitos breed around still water, so as well, heartworm is more common in areas with still water. 

When they are found: Mosquito season is from around May to November in Ontario, which makes these months when heartworm is seen. Unlike ticks and fleas, heartworm is not of current concern year-round in Ontario.

Why they are of concern: Heartworm is very difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to treat and it can be dangerous. As such, they are of significant concern! Heartworms can live up to 7 years in dogs, building up more and more over time. They can cause lung disease, heart failure, and death. Even if treated, permanent damage to the heart, lungs, blood vessels, and other vital organs often occurs and occasionally recovered animals require treatments life-long to maintain damaged systems. The symptoms of heartworm are generally consistent with developing heart failure which occurs 1-2 years after a bite. No symptoms are present prior to this.

How we can protect our pets from them: Placing your dog on heartworm prevention from June-November is advised in order to help prevent them from acquiring heartworm. It is important to know that preventives cannot kill adult heartworm and while they work well, they are not perfect. As such, a yearly heartworm test (blood test) is very much recommended to ensure your pet does not have heartworm and can safely use prevention.

Preventives and Tests

Our clinic offers a number of prevention options to protect your pet from fleas, ticks, heartworm, as well as from intestinal parasites. 

Recommended for Dogs: Nexgard and Nexgard Spectra

Nexgard and Nexgard Spectra are what we recommend most highly for parasite prevention in dogs. They are easy-to-administer flavoured chews that are given once per month. Nexgard aids in preventing ticks and fleas and is recommended from December to May. Nexgard Spectra is a full-spectrum product that not only covers ticks, fleas, and heartworm, but roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm as well. This is currently recommended June thru November.