Flea and tick

Read our curated health and wellness articles about pets to help keep your loved ones healthy!
CONDITION DOG Rabbit Fever (Tularemia) in Dogs

Tularemia in dogs, often called “rabbit fever,” is a form of blood poisoning caused by the organism Francisella tularensis. Tularemia causes severe disease in humans and is easily passed from infected pets to owners.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM HORSE Itching and Scratching (Pruritus) in Horses

Itching (also referred to as pruritus) in horses is a common symptom that may indicate insect bites, skin infection, or allergic reactions. An itchy horse will often rub against other surfaces, including stalls, trees, fences, or buildings, which may lead to loss of hair and more irritated skin.

· 2 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Subcutaneous Lumps in Dogs

Subcutaneous lumps appear in dogs as abnormal growths or masses located under the skin. If the lump is manipulated manually, the feeling of a subcutaneous lump varies depending on the cause but it is a bump separate from the skin.

· 2 min read
SYMPTOM HORSE Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Horses

Hair loss (also known as alopecia) in horses occurs for three main reasons: because the hair has been broken or rubbed off; the immune system is not working properly and an infection has taken root; or the immune system targets the hair as a foreign invader. 

· 3 min read
CONDITION CAT Babesiosis (Piroplasmosis) in Cats

Babesiosis in cats is a serious tick-borne disease resulting from infection with the Babesia parasite. Transmission of Babesia involves a bite from an infected tick of the Ixodes tick family.

· 5 min read
CONDITION DOG Lice (Pediculosis) in Dogs

Lice infestation, also known as pediculosis, describes parasitic infestation of the skin and hair with different species of lice. Infestation is more commonly seen in young, debilitated, and malnourished dogs.

· 3 min read
CONDITION CAT Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Cats

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne bacterial disease commonly seen in dogs and humans that is rarely found in cats. RMSF transmission occurs through bites from infected ticks.

· 4 min read
CONDITION DOG Anaplasmosis in Dogs

Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through a tick bite. Ticks that transmit the disease are found worldwide. Active, outdoor dogs in high density tick areas are most likely to contract the disease.

· 4 min read
CONDITION DOG Babesiosis (Piroplasmosis) in Dogs

Babesiosis is a blood infection caused by Babesia spp. parasites. There are over 100 species globally and cases occur across North America.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Cats

Feline alopecia or hair loss is the partial or complete absence of hair in areas of the body where hair is expected to be.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Dogs

Hair loss, or alopecia, is characterized by hair loss leading to bald patches and places in the coat that are abnormally sparse.

· 3 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Pale Gums in Dogs

Pale gums are when the normal pink color of the gums turns pale or white, usually due to a serious underlying health problem.

· 3 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Cutaneous Skin Lumps in Cats

Skin lumps occurring within or near the surface of the skin are called cutaneous masses.

· 4 min read
CONDITION HORSE African Horse Sickness

African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly fatal disease endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Cutaneous Skin Lumps in Dogs

Cutaneous lumps are lumps within a dog’s skin which make a nodule, raised area, or discoloration on the surface of the skin.

· 4 min read
CONDITION HORSE Anaplasmosis in Horses

Anaplasmosis is an infectious, tick-borne disease that affects horses caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

· 4 min read
CONDITION DOG Hepatozoonosis (Tick-Borne Disease) in Dogs

Hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne protozoal infection in dogs.

· 4 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Subcutaneous Lumps in Cats

Subcutaneous lumps are found under the skin, rather than within the skin or at the surface of the skin. If a lump does not create a visible mark or disruption on the skin, doesn’t arise from the bone, and the skin moves freely over it, it is a subcutaneous lump.

· 3 min read
CONDITION HORSE Tick Paralysis in Horses

Tick paralysis results when a tick’s saliva delivers a paralytic toxin into the bloodstream of its host. Equine tick paralysis is rare, as horses seem to be resistant to most tick toxins.

· 6 min read
CONDITION HORSE Piroplasmosis in Horses

Piroplasmosis is a tick-borne parasitic disease of horses. Most infected horses do not develop symptoms of piroplasmosis.

· 5 min read
CONDITION HORSE Tick Infestation and Control in Horses

Ticks are small parasitic arachnids and carry a number of different diseases that can transmit to mammalian hosts. The outdoor lifestyle of horses makes them susceptible to tick infestation,

· 7 min read
CONDITION HORSE Lyme Disease in Horses

Lyme disease is caused by the tick-borne bacteria *Borrelia burgdorferi*. Horses become infected with the bacteria when an infected tick feeds on them.

· 6 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Licking and Chewing in Dogs

A dog may obsessively lick and chew themselves, objects in their environment, or towards nothing in midair.

· 2 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Paralysis in Dogs

Paralysis is the lack of ability to voluntarily move one or more parts of the body. It may or may not be accompanied by loss of sensation.

· 3 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Paralysis in Cats

Paralysis is the complete loss of the ability to move or feel a part of the body. It can affect any or all limbs of the body, the face, or the vocal cords. It may be acute or chronic.

· 3 min read
SYMPTOM DOG Itching and Scratching (Pruritus) in Dogs

Itchy skin, or pruritus, is a common symptom of multiple conditions. Scratching, rubbing, licking, and chewing are the most common signs shown by itchy dogs.

· 4 min read
CONDITION DOG Flea and Tick Medication Poisoning (Pyrethroid Toxicosis) in Dogs

Poisoning as a result of exposure to flea and tick products is one of the most common types of poisoning in dogs. Symptoms of poisoning from flea and tick medication range from drooling,

· 6 min read
CONDITION CAT Flea Infestation in Cats

Fleas are irritating parasitic insects that reside and feed on the skin of animal hosts, including cats. Fleas are found worldwide and year round. Cats may be exposed to fleas at any time,

· 8 min read
SYMPTOM CAT Itching and Scratching (Pruritus) in Cats

The sensation of itchiness (pruritus) in a cat can be caused by many things, most often fungal infections (ringworm), parasites (like fleas or mites), and allergies (to food, fleas, or airborne particles). 

· 4 min read
CONDITION CAT Lyme Disease in Cats

Cats are considered resistant to Lyme disease, with no naturally occurring cases of this illness reported.

· 5 min read