Harvest mites: also knows as “chiggers”, are the larvae of the mite Trombicula alfreddugesi. They are an orange-red, eight-legged mite that can cause considerable itchiness and dermatitis in all animals, including humans. These little buggers come out end of summer, beginning of fall in Lake County. To treat harvest mites, avoid possibly toxic insecticides and stick with products that are guaranteed and recommended by your veterinarian at Middletown Animal Hospital. Frontline spray, which can be used in all animals, has been our favorite choice each fall.
Ticks: Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease seen in both dogs and cats, but more commonly dogs. It is caused by the bacteria, Anaplasmosis phagocytophilum and Anaplasmosis platys, which are transmitted by the deer tick. This disease is endemic to Lake County. There is a good possibility that your dog has been exposed to this disease if it gets ticks. We also see a fair amount of anaplasmosis dogs positive for lyme disease as well, since they are carried by the same type of tick. The best way to prevent transmission of the disease is to give your pet a flea/tick preventative like Nexgard (oral), Frontline Plus (topical) all year long.
Flea's: One of the more common causes of skin allergies is a flea allergy dermatitis. Even one flea can cause severe generalized itching! Symptoms include crusting, redness, hair loss, and pruritis over the rump, thighs, abdomen and flanks. Episodes can be seasonal in temperate regions or non-seasonal in tropical and subtropical regions where fleas are present year-round. It is important to keep your dogs and cats on a flea preventive product all year long in this area – remember, even one flea can cause them to react! Make sure that you check with your veterinarian when choosing flea-control products for your cats – some over the counter grocery store products can be toxic!
