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Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention

7/5/2016

 
By Anne Heskel, VMD
Bailey, a German Shepherd, and Johah, her friend, take a rest and pose for a photo during their hike through the woods.Bailey and Jonah enjoying a hike on a misty day.
To protect against vector borne diseases, the veterinary staff at Park East Animal Hospital recommends dogs receive a tick and flea preventative throughout the year. Because of the fluctuations in regional temperature as well as an increase in the tick population, seasonal parasite prevention may not offer sufficient protection.

We are glad to offer a variety of products administered in three different ways: topical application, oral medication, and continuous wear collar. All of these products work by blocking a neurological function specific to invertebrates like fleas and ticks. While products are available for dogs and cats, it is very important that dog products are not given to cats and vice-versa. When picking a product, it is important to consider your pet's health, lifestyle, and any potential allergies or drug interactions.


National lyme disease risk map illustrating increased risk in Atlantic/Northeast region.Lyme disease risk map. Source: Wikipedia Commons
Fleas and Ticks
There are a wide variety of products available to combat fleas and ticks. These are differentiated by their method of administration, duration of action, and suitability for pets with certain medical conditions. We offer products to keep pets protected within the context of any lifestyle.

Topical
Topical products, such as Frontline Plus, are applied to the skin between the shoulder blades once a month. These products spread across the entire body of the dog or cat within approximately 24 hours and are stored within the oil glands of the skin for 30 days. Dogs should not be bathed or go swimming for approximately 24 hours before or after Frontline is applied. Aside from those days, it is fine for dogs to be fully submerged in water without a decrease in protection.  


Oral
Two newer products offer flea and tick protection for dogs in the form of a flavored tablet. Nexgard is administered by mouth once a month. Bravecto is given once every 12 weeks. Both Nexgard and Bravecto begin to kill and repel fleas and ticks within 48 hours of administration. Some dogs may experience some vomiting or diarrhea so these tablets are best given with a meal. There is no need to postpone bathing or swimming with these products. Nexgard is not an option for dogs that have a history of seizures or seizure like disorders.  

Collar
Next generation tick and flea collars can offer continuous protection against these pests for many months when used correctly. Scalibor, appropriate only for dogs, offers protection against the four species of ticks known to transmit disease in this area for up to 5 months. Seresto, which has collars specially designed for dogs or cats, can offer protection for 8 months. Both are designed to kill fleas or ticks already present on pets as well as prevent new infestations of these parasites. While they begin working within a day  of application, it is important to keep in mind that they will be strongest after 2 weeks of continuous wear. These collars do not need to be removed for bathing or swimming. Seresto’s label notes that frequent bathing or swimming, more than once a week, can shorten the lifespan of the collar from 8 months to 5 months.  

In addition to giving these preventative treatments, it is important to check your pet daily for ticks. Because fur can interfere with our ability to see the small, nymph ticks,  rinsing dogs down at the end of the day may provide more efficient and effective way to remove the smaller nymph ticks. Landscaping changes can make a yard and home less hospitable to ticks, reducing the chance of exposure. These include keeping lawns cut short, removing brush or leaves from around the house, and chemically treating the perimeter of a yard with a tick preventative.

Heartworm microfilaria viewed through a microscopeHeartworm microfilaria. Source: Wikipedia Commons
Heartworm
Heartworm disease is prevented by variations of avermectin-derived medications. Avermectins are produced in the soil and can treat many parasitic diseases of people as well as pets.  In 2015, the scientists who discovered avermectins were awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine. They are a very safe class of medication for most pets.
 

Heartgard and Sentinel are tablet forms of heartworm prevention. They are taken by mouth once a month and offer protection against some intestinal worms found in the environment as well as heartworms. If dogs have food sensitivities, Sentinel is the better choice as it does not contain beef protein. Heartgard is available for dogs and cats. Sentinel is a canine-only product.  

Revolution is a topical combination product that offers protection against heartworm disease as well as some intestinal worms, skin mites, and, fleas. It is applied to the skin between the shoulder blades once a month and is a great choice for pets that will not take oral medication or have food sensitivities. Revolution is available for dogs and cats.  

Tick borne diseases can cause serious, devastating illness in people - in addition to the danger they pose to our pets - and an infected tick can bite more than once. While heartworm disease is more rarely diagnosed in our area, in part due to rigorous prevention protocols, it can be even more difficult and expensive to treat.  In cats, there is no approved medication to treat heartworm disease, and management is the only option once exposed.

For these reasons, the veterinarians and staff at Park East Animal Hospital believe that providing appropriate flea, tick, and heartworm prevention for your pet is an important part of maintaining their health and well-being. We encourage you to call our office and speak with a veterinarian about vector borne disease, prevention, and what is best for your pet and your family.  


Vector Borne Disease

6/30/2016

 
By Anne Heskel, VMD

Sonny enjoys a frolick through tall grass in the country.The great outdoors!
Spending time with our pets outside is one of the best ways to bond with them. Hiking in the woods, walking through the park, and swimming at the beach provide wonderful was to play with them. In our area, we are lucky to have many great places to share with our pets. It is also important to remember that we share these spaces with other, less welcome creatures. Animals are vulnerable to vector borne diseases and it is very important that we take appropriate steps to protect them. 

Vector borne diseases are viral or bacterial diseases that are transmitted using another animal (the vector). In the New York area, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are common vectors that affect pets as well as people.  

Ticks
Four common species of ticks, the Deer Tick, the American Dog Tick, the Brown Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick, reside in our area and transmit many types of bacterial disease. Ticks are more prevalent and more likely to spread disease in the late spring and summer. Adult ticks can be easy to find and remove. However, it is very important to remember that the nymph stage of ticks, when they are barely bigger than the tip of a ball point pen, transmits many of these diseases. The CDC has an excellent informational page explaining the life cycle of disease-spreading ticks in the United States.

Photographs of several varieties of ticks, demonstrating differences in size and shape.Source: Wikipedia Commons
The most well- known and prevalent disease in this area is Lyme Disease. Named for the town in Connecticut where it was identified, Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Signs of Lyme disease in the dog can include decreased appetite, joint pain or stiffness, and fever. Occasionally Lyme disease can interfere with dogs’ kidneys, causing an increase of protein in the urine and lasting, potentially fatal, kidney damage. Recent projections show that the risk of Lyme disease will continue to increase for dogs in the Tri-State area and beyond. For detailed risk information by area, please refer to this map.

Other bacterial diseases transmitted by ticks are Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These diseases may cause nebulous signs of inappetence, fever, and gastrointestinal distress. They may also lead to more significant interference with certain blood cell types and can be life threatening.

Fleas
In a crowded environment like New York City, flea infestations can be easy to contract and difficult to contain or eliminate without flea prevention. Fleas are an itchy nuisance on their own, and many dogs and cats suffer from flea allergies and flea-related dermatitis. However, it is also possible for fleas to cause anemia (a decrease in healthy red blood cells that prevents the body’s tissues and organs from receiving sufficient oxygen), especially in younger animals, and to transmit tapeworms and bacterial or viral infections, some of which can be contracted in humans.

Mosquitoes
For dogs and cats, the most important mosquito borne concern is heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is caused by a blood parasite called Dirofilaria immitus. A mosquito bites an infected animal and picks up the parasite. The parasite matures within the mosquito and can then be transmitted to another pet. Once inside the bloodstream of a dog, the parasite can grow and multiply until it clogs the heart valves - causing coughing, exercise intolerance and possible death. For cats, this parasite is more likely to cause inflammation and disruption in the lungs causing coughing and lethargy. 

While treatment for tick borne and, in most cases, heartworm disease is available, prevention is more affordable and better ensures the health of your pet. Park East Animal Hospital offers a comprehensive selection of flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives in a variety of presentations. Whether oral, topical, or wearable prevention best suits your lifestyle, our doctors can recommend a product to keep your pet free of vector borne disease all year round. Call our office at 212-832-8417 to speak with a doctor if you have concerns about possible exposure to these disease vectors.

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1390 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10021
Between 71st and 72nd Streets

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