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Warmer Weather Means Fleas And Ticks Are Targeting Your Pet

Posted at 11:08 AM, Jun 23, 2014
and last updated 2014-06-23 12:09:16-04

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (June 23, 2014) — Summer weather in an open invitation to spend more time outside, but it’s also an open invitation for your pets to attract parasites like ticks.

It’s important to protect dogs and other pets from outdoor pests like fleas and ticks, and there are products that make prevention easy, says Dr. Randall Carpenter of Family Friends Veterinary Hospital in Cascade.

“There are a variety of topical products that are effective for fleas and ticks,” Dr. Carpenter says. “There`s a new oral product that`s available for fleas and ticks.”

Wet weather combines with heat and humidity to make for great conditions for parasites. “With the moisture we`re having the last few days and the hot humid weather the mosquitoes are taking off,” he says.

And there are areas of West Michigan that are seeing a new migration of ticks, “particularly along the lakeshore, Kalamazoo and north,” Dr. Carpenter notes.

It’s not hard to prevent ticks, fleas, and other parasites to hurt your pets. If you haven’t done it in the past, you really should this year, he says.

(Reporting by Ann Marie LaFlamme, FOX 17)

Dog at vet file photo

Dr. Randall Carpenter with a patient at Family Friends Animal Hospital. (FOX 17)