Fleas and Ticks
Don't Go South For The Winter
Fleas and ticks often seem to disperse when the frigid weather moves in, which is why most dog owners think that they are free of pests and no longer need to treat their pets for them during the winter. However, that is not always the case. Fleas can often survive cold and freezing weather by moving inside and living in your carpet or in your dog's bedding. So it's vital to wash and treat their bedding often. They can also endure in climates that aren't exceedingly cold.
Therefore, it is all-important to continue to treat your dog year round for fleas and ticks to prevent re-infestations. It is quite common for fleas to bite and cause skin allergies in your dog. The flea bite causes an allergic reaction in the skin where the area is affected and then can begins to bald in that area from repeated scratching.
With an unforgiving flea infestation, the fleas can cause dermatitis along with the allergic reaction of your dog's skin. Your dog will also experience severe irritation and soreness and will need to be treated immediately. There are many treatments available such as collars, sprays, shampoos, dips and spot treatments.
It's imperative to recognize that if your dog is infected with fleas, then so is the area that your dog has been living in. It is a given that your carpet will be infested and so will your dog's bedding. Be sure when you pick a product to treat your home, that it treats both the adult fleas and the flea eggs as well.
With the conventional treatments above, many vets are now recommending ivermectin as the preferred treatment to dog owners. Ivermectin is available as an injection or oral form. You can also apply it as an external application. This is a highly effective treatment and can last longer. If you are struggling with an extreme infestation, I would suggest taking your dog into your vet office for a flea dip. This is an extremely effective way to take control of an infestation and start making headway on the situation. 
You can then begin treating your environment and start preventative treatments with your dog.
Ticks can potentially pose a more serious problem due to diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and/or Lyme Disease can be contracted by a tick. If you locate a tick on your dog, you should use tweezers to remove it and be sure you remove it carefully. If you are unsure how to remove a tick properly, be sure to visit with your vet first to learn the proper method. With the correct preventative methods, your dog will remain free and safe from fleas and ticks. If you notice that your flea and tick program begins to lose its effectiveness, you should consult your vet to make changes. Fleas and ticks often become resistant to treatments over time, so it's a good idea to rotate products in your treatment program.
If you locate a tick on your dog, you should use tweezers to remove it and be sure you remove it carefully. If you are unsure how to remove a tick properly, be sure to visit with your vet first to learn the proper method. With the correct preventative methods, your dog will remain free and safe from fleas and ticks. If you notice that your flea and tick program begins to lose its effectiveness, you should consult your vet to make changes. Fleas and ticks often become resistant to treatments over time, so it's a good idea to rotate products in your treatment program. The primary goal is to keep your dog well groomed and on an effective treatment program and make sure their bedding and living area is kept clean. These things will help alleviate any serious infestations.
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