Weather Conditions Right for Parasite Outbreaks

June 25, 2009

Georgia Veterinary Medical Association

Weather conditions are ideal for massive flea, tick and mosquito outbreaks says the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA), but pet owners can take steps to protect their animals and themselves.

“The rainy spring has created a welcoming environment for fleas and ticks so we should be ready for a rough parasitic season,” says Dr. Kevin Chapman of GVMA. 

Pets are vulnerable to fleas and ticks, which flourish in warm weather and can cause several harmful diseases.  A flea lifecycle is anywhere from 12 days to six months.  Warning signs of a flea infestation include mild redness, severe scratching and flea dirt, which are flea droppings left on a pet’s coat.  People may also be bitten if the infestation is severe.

Ticks are most often found near an animal’s neck and between toes or folds of skin.  Tick bites can cause itching and redness.  Severe infestations can cause anemia and could spread infectious diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Ticks should be removed promptly from a pet’s skin using tweezers without any twisting motions.  The tick should be crushed, avoiding contact with its disease-carrying fluids. 
Although rare, cases of human heartworm infestation contracted from a pet have been reported in the United States.  Heartworms are spread from dog to dog, and potentially to humans, through mosquito bites.  The mosquito obtains a blood meal from an infected dog and can transfer the heartworm larva to a human.  In rare cases the larva can migrate to the lung and create a lesion, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as a lung tumor. 
The Environmental Protection Agency is currently evaluating the flea and tick pesticides sold at stores due to an increase in complaints of bad skin reactions.  Products under review are squeezed from a vial onto the animal’s skin, typically at the base of the neck.

“Over the counter products involve chemicals that have been around for 30 years and often times the product is too toxic when incorrectly applied to a pet,” says Chapman.  “Products sold by veterinarians are new, safer and guarantee protection.”
Pets should be treated with appropriate flea and tick medication recommended by veterinarians.  Although products purchased at veterinarians’ offices may cost more, there are rarely problems associated with them. Veterinarians will also demonstrate proper application of the product and how to examine a pet after exposure to fleas or ticks.  GVMA recommends year-round preventive treatment to control heartworm infestation. 
GVMA is a professional association of more than 1,260 veterinarians committed to advancing the veterinary medical profession and supporting the veterinarian’s role in improving animal and public health