Flea/Tick Season Extended!

As we are diving deeper into the warmer weather, it is extremely important to continue treating our dogs and outdoor cats for fleas and ticks. However, with the extreme weather fluctuations we are experiencing year-round, flea and tick season is starting to expand beyond the heat of the spring and summer. 

So, when is flea/tick season? Unfortunately, every season is now considered flea and tick season. Because of Climate Change, temperatures have been varying considerably year-round, leading to improper conditions for these parasites to die off. Based on the temperature changes in the last few years, they are likely to continue to fluctuate going forward.

We have had a few clients this year who have found ticks on their dogs as late as December and even into February. Please refer to the below link, which tracks the infection risk of multiple parasites in Canada. You can change the type of parasite or associated disease and zoom into each region to get a better understanding of the current parasite climate.

https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2023/all-year/lyme-disease/dog/canada

Remember, fleas and ticks aren’t just pesky irritations—the harm they cause can go far beyond mere itchiness. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease to dogs (among other tick-borne illnesses), while skin allergies caused or exacerbated by fleas can lead to sores and infection. Fleas can also transmit an internal parasite, the tapeworm, which can cause malnutrition and weight loss in your pet.

 

If you think you have found a tick or flea(s) on your pet, please call the clinic for advice on how to proceed.

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Flea and tick prevention is in high demand, so make sure you call us to reserve or order what you need for the year.

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Greenwood Park Animal Hospital
(416) 778-6666
1041 Gerrard Street East
Toronto, ON M4M 1Z6