Archive for month: April, 2024

Spring Has Sprung: Unleashing Your Pup Safely in Squamish

Hi everyone, Lin here from Peaks Family Pets in Squamish! It never fails as soon as the sun comes out everyone in town hits the trails. It is also about the same time we see an increasing number of owners coming in looking for flea and tick prevention and treatment. Coincidence? Probably not.  There is nothing worse than coming back from an amazing afternoon from the lake, bike or hike only to pet your dog and find ticks attached to them or seeing fleas jump around their coat. These fleas and ticks are not only an inconvenience but also can pose a serious health risk to both dogs and humans.

The next question is what do I do? How do I get rid of them? How do I save my pup from being devoured by these pests. To help you navigate through the spring and give you some piece of mind we thought we’d write about our experience with fleas and ticks and what are the popular non-veterinary products you can find at your local pet shop to combats these invaders.

Flea and Tick Threats in Squamish:

First thing first, understand your enemy. Let’s get familiar with fleas and ticks. Flea and ticks live all year round but with warmer weather comes the increased activity of fleas and ticks in Squamish’s beautiful outdoor environment. They thrive in the humidity and Squamish has a lot of that. Whether it’s the Ray Peters trail, the Estuary or Alice Lake you are bound to encounter these pests. They thrive in tall grasses and wooded areas, making our beloved trails prime hunting grounds for them. Fleas and ticks not only cause discomfort with their bites but can also transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease to both dogs and their human companions.

Fleas and ticks are more than just a nuisance for your furry friend; they can pose serious health risks. Here’s why it’s crucial to protect your dog from these pests:

• Skin irritation and infection: Both fleas and ticks feed on your dog’s blood, causing itchy bites. Excessive scratching can lead to open wounds, which are susceptible to infection.
• Tapeworms: Fleas can transmit tapeworms to your dog when they ingest a flea infected with tapeworm larvae. Tapeworms can cause weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting in dogs.
• Blood loss: In severe infestations, fleas can cause anemia, especially in puppies and older dogs, due to excessive blood loss from flea bites. Our previous dog, Cole (a black labrador retriever) who loved the water got infested by fleas one year. His infection was so bad that when we washed him the water was a faint red. It was so sad to see him go through this. We couldn’t treat this with natural solutions and had to get vet prescribe medication for him in this case.
• Tick-borne diseases: Ticks can transmit a variety of serious diseases to dogs, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These diseases can cause a range of symptoms, from fever and lethargy to neurological problems and organ failure. Early detection and treatment are critical for a full recovery.

What Fleas Look Like:

Fleas are small, reddish-brown insects that are just 2-3 millimeters long. They have flat bodies that allow them to move easily through your dog’s fur. Fleas are wingless, but their powerful back legs enable them to jump long distances – up to 50 times their own body length! If you part your dog’s fur and look closely, you might be able to see the actual fleas themselves. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common flea species found on both cats and dogs in North America, including Squamish.  These reddish-brown insects are about 2.5 mm long and jump a lot. Despite the name, they are happy to feast on both cats and dogs, along with other mammals they encounter.

As temperatures rise and humidity increases, fleas become more active, lay more eggs, and develop faster. This can lead to a noticeable spike in infestations during these warmer months. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, leading to a full-blown infestation in a short period.

Here are some additional details to help you identify fleas:

• Fast movement: Fleas move quickly through your dog’s fur, so you might only catch a glimpse. Use a flea comb to pull out debris from your dog’s coat and get a closer look for fleas.
• Flea dirt: Flea droppings, which look like tiny black specks of peppercorn residue, are often easier to spot than the fleas themselves. You’ll usually find flea dirt near the base of your dog’s fur, around their tail, and on their bedding.

Where Fleas Hide on Dogs:

Fleas prefer warm, moist areas where they have easy access to your dog’s blood. Here are their favorite hiding spots:

• The base of the tail: This area is warm and has easy access to blood vessels.
• The groin area: This warm, protected area is another favorite flea hangout.
• Armpits: Similar to the groin area, armpits are warm and offer easy access.
• Behind the ears: Fleas love to hide where your dog can’t easily reach them.
• Between the toes: Fleas can burrow between your dog’s toes, causing irritation and discomfort.

Signs Your Dog Has Fleas:

If your dog has fleas, they’ll likely exhibit some or all these signs:

• Excessive scratching: This is the most common sign of a flea infestation. Your dog might scratch themselves constantly, especially around their tail, back, and legs.
• Skin irritation: Flea bites can cause red, inflamed patches on your dog’s skin.
• Hair loss: Excessive scratching and irritation can lead to hair loss, particularly around the base of the tail, back, and hind legs.
• Restlessness: Fleas can make your dog feel itchy and uncomfortable, leading to restlessness and difficulty sleeping.
• Visible fleas or flea dirt: If you see fleas or flea dirt (tiny black specks) on your dog’s fur or bedding, it’s a sure sign of infestation.
• Tapeworm segments: Fleas can carry tapeworms, so if you see small white segments resembling rice grains in your dog’s stool, it could be a sign of a flea infestation and tapeworm infection.

Identifying Ticks on Dogs

Unlike fleas, ticks aren’t insects; they’re arachnids, related to spiders. The western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is a common tick species in Squamish known to carry Lyme disease. Here’s how to recognize them.

• Size and Shape: Unfed ticks are tiny, about the size of a sesame seed. After feeding, they can grow significantly, resembling a small grey or brown grape.
• Body Structure: Adult ticks have eight legs and a flat, oval-shaped body. Unlike fleas, they don’t jump; they wait patiently on vegetation for a passing host (like your dog) to brush against them.
• Head Attachment: Once a tick finds a host, it burrows its head into the skin and feeds on blood. The attached tick will appear swollen and round as it engorges with blood.

Tick Hiding Spots on Dogs:

Ticks prefer areas where they can easily latch onto a passing host. Here are their prime hiding spots on your dog:

• The head and neck: These areas brush against tall grass and brush during walks.
• The ears: The warm, protected environment of the ears makes them a tick haven.
• Between the toes: Ticks can burrow between your dog’s toes, where they might go unnoticed.
• The groin area: This warm, moist area provides easy access to blood vessels.
• The armpits: Similar to the groin, armpits offer warmth and easy access for feeding.

Signs Your Dog Has Ticks:

If your dog has picked up a tick, you might notice some of these signs:

• A visible bump: This is the most obvious sign. If you find a small, bump-like growth on your dog’s skin, especially if it’s grey or brown and round, it’s likely a tick.
• Scratching or irritation: The area around a tick bite can become itchy and inflamed, causing your dog to scratch at the spot.
• Listlessness or fever: In some cases, a tick-borne illness can cause lethargy, fever, or other symptoms.

If you find a tick on your dog, it’s important to remove it carefully using the proper technique. Do not attempt to squish or burn the tick, as this can increase the risk of infection. Getting a tool like the Tick Tornado is great if you are squeamish about ticks. The Tick Tornado allows you to remove the tick without directly touching it, which can be appealing to people who find ticks particularly gross. Since the Tick Tornado uses a twisting motion instead of pinching, there’s less chance of accidentally squeezing the tick’s body. Squeezing can irritate the tick and potentially increase the risk of disease transmission. The twisting motion might be gentler on your pet’s skin compared to pulling with tweezers.

While Tick Tornados offer some potential benefits, tweezers are still a widely recommended and effective tool for tick removal. If you’re comfortable using tweezers and follow proper technique, they’re a perfectly safe and reliable option.

Here’s the key takeaway: The most important thing is to remove the tick completely and quickly, regardless of the tool you use.

Can I prevent my dog from getting fleas and ticks:

Not really unless you avoid all outdoor areas and other dogs. But there are things you can do to help prevent infestations.

Oral medications: These chewable tablets or capsules offer convenient, long-lasting protection against fleas and ticks. Oral medications can only be prescribed by vets. oral medications are ingested by your pet, usually in the form of a tasty chewable tablet. Once swallowed, the medication enters your pet’s bloodstream and tissues. The active ingredients in these medications are specifically designed to disrupt the nervous system of fleas and ticks. This can happen in a couple of ways:

• Death by Disruption: Some medications cause rapid and uncontrollable activity in the flea or tick’s nervous system, leading to paralysis and ultimately death.
• A Slow Downer: Other medications work by interfering with the flea or tick’s ability to function normally. When a flea bites your pet and ingests the medication, it dies.

The medication is slowly released over time, providing continuous protection for weeks, typically a month or more. This eliminates the need for frequent applications and keeps your pet covered. But you do have to give this pill to your dog once a month.

Topical treatments: These spot-on applications are applied directly to your dog’s skin and provide a protective barrier against fleas and ticks. They do not need a vet prescription and are considered “over the counter” treatments. Topical medications stay on your pet’s skin and fur, limiting absorption into the bloodstream. This can be beneficial for pets with certain health conditions or sensitivities. Peaks Family Pets carry the Zodiac Spot treatment for dogs and cats in our shop. There are two types based on the weight of your pet. It is an effective way to kill flea and ticks that have made it on to your pet’s coat. It is even effective on eggs that may have been laid on your pets. Spot treatments aren’t recommended for very young puppies, pregnant, or nursing dogs. Their systems may be more sensitive to the medication.

Preventative Natural Non-Medication Options:

If you prefer a more natural approach to pet care, you might opt for natural remedies despite their potentially lower effectiveness.

• Natural Flea Repellents (Consult Your Vet First): Explore natural flea repellents alongside your veterinarian’s recommendations. However, always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new product to your dog’s routine, as some natural ingredients can be irritating or even toxic to pets. Here are some natural oils known to have flea and tick repellent properties:
  • Citronella oil: This oil has a citrusy scent that fleas and ticks find unpleasant. You can dilute a few drops of citronella oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and spray it on your dog’s fur (avoiding the eyes and mouth).
  • Cedarwood oil: Cedarwood oil is another natural flea and tick repellent. However, be cautious, as some cedarwood oil varieties can be toxic to dogs. Opt for cedarwood oil labeled safe for pets, and use it sparingly in a diluted solution.
  • Lemongrass oil: Lemongrass oil possesses natural insect repellent properties. Similar to citronella oil, dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it to your dog’s fur. Two great shampoos/sprays we carry that have proven to ward off flea and ticks is the Outdoor Shield in Lemongrass by Kin+Kind. Their vet-formulated products use plant-based ingredients for happier pets and a healthier planet. Each ingredient, including every essential oil, is vet-approved to ensure safe concentrations for your pet. Pawtanicals SPAW Express Clean contains essential oils of Lavender & Cedarwood to relax your pup during bathing, keep their coat fresh and irritation-free, as well as kill/prevent pests such as ticks and fleas.
  • Diatomaceous earth (DE): This powder is made from fossilized algae and is deadly to fleas by dehydrating them. The fossils have which have microscopic, sharp edges and when fleas crawl through DE, these sharp edges puncture the waxy coating on their exoskeletons. This puncture causes the fleas to lose fluids and essential oils, leading to dehydration and death. DE is safe for pets and humans when used correctly, but be sure to choose food-grade DE and avoid inhaling the dust. Apply DE to carpets, bedding, and furniture, let it sit for several hours, then vacuum thoroughly.

With proper flea and tick prevention in place, you can confidently explore Squamish’s stunning trails and dog parks with your furry friend this spring. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing your pup is protected from these harmful pests then you can focus on enjoying the outdoor adventure capital of Canada.