Fleas, Ticks and Lice

Here’s how you can keep your pet safe from these pests.

We recommend using a topical flea and tick prevention medication such as Frontline Plus, which we sell at our clinic. Frontline Plus, and similar medications, kill fleas and ticks within hours. This medication is most effective when applied monthly.

What you need to know

Lice

The sucking louse of dogs, Linognathus sp. is prevalent in Central Oregon and is very easily spread from dog to dog. Infestation occurs over the entire body and causes the dog to be very itchy. The louse is very small and appears similar to a grain of dirt on the skin. A veterinarian can determine if your dog has lice or another skin ailment.

TIP: If your dog is constantly itching and scratching, call us.

Fleas

Fleas are uncommon in many parts of Central Oregon due to the inhospitable dry and cold climatic conditions. They are found in rodent burrows, deer beds, and other protective micro-climates. Dogs with fleas visiting from other areas may provide a source of infestation that can become an ongoing problem if the fleas establish themselves in a household. The important thing to remember is that fleas live in a dog’s surroundings and are on the host to feed, then jump off. This means that environmental control is key to eliminating infestation.

TIP: Before you travel with your dog to an area where fleas are a problem, apply a flea repellent.

Ticks

As with fleas, ticks are uncommon in many areas of Central Oregon and are primarily associated with wildlife hosts. Tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease have traditional have not been thought to be prevalent in our area, but this view might be changing. California has recently tested tick populations and found Lyme carrying ticks in habitats along California beaches. So ticks carrying Lyme Disease are no longer just thought to be in wooded areas, but any habitat. Oregon has not tested tick populations.

Occasionally we see ear ticks which cause the dog a good deal of head-shaking and distress.

TIP: If your pet has a tick, it’s important that it is removed properly. (Improper removal can leave the tick head buried below the skin, which can continue to irritate your pet and potentially cause infection.)