The holiday season is upon us: the days are getting shorter, the temperatures getting cooler and as winter approaches it might be tempting to stop the topical or oral preventative medications we give our pets. After all, the flea and tick season is over right? Not so fast!

Although fleas and ticks seem to thrive in warmer and humid climates, they are still seen in abundance here in southwestern Pennsylvania well into December. Winter’s chill is part of what keeps pest population in check and the warmer winters we have been experiencing as of late are creating ideal conditions for these pests to bother our pets (and us) year-round.

Fleas can live as long as twelve months and in that time produce millions of offspring. They can cause severe itch, tapeworm infections and severe anemia in heavily burdened young animals. 

Ticks are a known source of Lyme disease:  Pennsylvania has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the U.S., and the Allegheny County Health Department reports that roughly 30% of the blacklegged ticks that are active in the spring and early summer are carriers of this vector-borne illness.

It is not uncommon to now see new Lyme disease infections in pets in winter months if the temperature stays around 40 degrees. Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis are diseases caused by bacteria transmitted by ticks that can affect certain lines of blood cells and are now frequently diagnosed in Western Pennsylvania. 

So the next time you snuggle up next to “Fluffy” with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book remember that without flea and ticks preventatives you might be snuggling up next to some seriously pesky creepy crawlies as well!

Dr. Caroline Simard-Swimmer, DVM

Medical Director

Pets After Dark