The COVID-19 pandemic made us all aware that animal health and diseases can have a devastating impact on human health. “One Health” is the study of the connections between the health of people, animals, and the environment. This is true even in our homes — where the health of your pet and your family can be closely linked.
Each year, your pet sees your veterinarian for an annual wellness exam, and each year you refill a year’s worth of flea and tick preventative medication. What you may not realize is that you are not only preventing serious diseases in your pet, but you’re also protecting yourself and your family.
In fact, the CDC reports that from 2004 to 2016, tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease more than doubled. Fleas can spread cat scratch fever, tapeworms, even bubonic plague to humans. While pets are not a common source of human disease, veterinarians and health professionals want to do everything they can to prevent the spread of these diseases to both humans and pets.
Luckily, there are many highly effective and safe flea and tick preventative medications for dogs and cats. Some medications are given by mouth or applied topically at regular intervals — typically, once a month or even once every two to three months year-round. Remember, fleas and ticks aren’t just warm weather hazards! Fleas can live in carpet for up to three months, and deer ticks that carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can be active into winter.
Because these medications work differently, your veterinarian is ready to guide you if you have specific concerns or if your pet has underlying medical conditions that may affect which medication can be safely used to keep you, your pets, and your family healthy and happy.