In Colorado, beginning in March and running through the warmer parts of the year we have our own little miniature vampires that prey on any warm blooded creature, dogs and humans alike. The creatures I am referring to are fleas and  ticks. These little blood thirsty creatures are usually found in grasses and hitch a ride on any creature that passes by. Once on board they crawl through fur, hair or under clothing and attach themselves to skin and start to feed.  ticks tend to crawl forward and that is why more ticks are found in the neck and head areas although they can be found almost anywhere. Fleas can be found through the hair coat of our pets depending on how dense the hair coat is but predilection sites are the rump and abdomen.  Ticks will more than triple their size as they gorge themselves on blood.  They also carry diseases that they can infect their host .

With ticks, Colorado tick fever is by far the most common tick-transmitted disease of the region. Additionally, and despite its name, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is quite rare here. Lyme
disease is an important tick-borne disease in much of the eastern United States but is not as common here in Colorado.

Fleas are rampant throughout the wildlife and in particular the rodent flea can transmit bubonic plague to cats and humans that come into contact with an infected flea through exposure to their pets or a rodent infected with the flea.

How can you prevent getting them? Try to avoid weedy or grassy areas where
wildlife may have passed. Small rodents, raccoons, foxes, coyotes deer and elk are
often their transportation vehicles. If you walk or hike with your dog do a flea and tick check
often.  However remember these parasites can be lurking in your backyard!

For everyone's protection we strongly recommend that your outdoor dog and cat be placed on the new product called Vectra.  It is a veterinary quality product, has a good safety profile and is very effective at dealing with these annoying pests. No prescription is needed and we have the product in the lobby at our hospital for over the counter dispensing.  Follow the directions carefully.  And now go out and enjoy the great outdoors in beautiful Colorado without the worry that your pet will bring home some unwanted biting pests!