The Ugly Truth about Fleas and Ticks
Dr. Todd B. Friedland, DVM

Well, they’re back. Fleas and ticks are here, and they’ve come to us with a vengeance. I don’t often proclaim any one year as the worst ever, but I am doing that this year. And not only do there seem to be more, the dangerous diseases that the ticks carry are more and more common in my dog patients. Let’s take a closer look.

Ticks show their presence before fleas each year. They love cool moist weather, and this year is the poster child for just that. Ticks hang onto brush and plants, just waiting to grab onto the first warm-blooded animal that passes by. When they find skin, they burrow through the outer layer and start feeding on blood. When they are satiated, they drop off to reproduce and lay eggs. That’s only the beginning of the problem. Many ticks carry diseases that can make you or your pet very sick. The good news is that there are some tests that might be able to detect these diseases before they make your pet sick.

The most widely publicized tick-borne disease is Lyme disease. It is carried and spread by the tiny deer tick. These ticks harbor on the common mouse as well as deer. The nymphs are the size of the period at the end of this sentence. After the tick latches on and bites, it feeds for 24-36 hours, after which it injects your dog with the Lyme disease bacteria. Once the bacterium enters the body, one of two things can happen. Either your dog’s immune system controls it, or it overwhelms the immune system and disease results. Although the classic case of Lyme disease in dogs is evidenced by fever and lameness, it isn’t called “The Great Imitator” for nothing. Lyme disease can present in many ways from just not feeling well all the way to kidney failure, and everything in between. In my opinion, a sick dog should be treated for Lyme disease until a different absolute diagnosis is made. Treatment involves about a month on antibiotics. Doxycycline and Amoxicillin are two of the more common antibiotics used. Relief begins within days of antibiotic initiation in most cases.

Lyme disease can present in many ways from just not feeling well all the way to kidney failure, and everything in between.

Other tick-borne diseases we see commonly are Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis. The causative organisms are carried by the larger dog tick. Symptoms of each are similar to each other, but again, not always the same from pet to pet. Clinically, Ehrlichia looks much like Lyme disease at times. Dogs have fever and act lethargic. They can seem painful with difficulty in isolating exactly where the pain is. This is due to generalized muscle aches. Anaplasma can look the same, but in its early stages, can cause problems in the bone marrow. This may occur with absolutely no outward symptoms.

OK, now that we're all afraid to let our pets outdoors, what can we do? First, use one of the prescription “Spot-On” monthly flea and tick products. I am NOT referring to the over the counter brands, but whichever product your veterinarian recommends. Use them exactly as directed. Products behave a little different from pet to pet, but monthly application seems to work. Don’t forget, because the ticks won't forget, ever. I recommend vaccinating your dog for Lyme disease annually. Check your dog for ticks daily, and lastly, cut down any brush in the yard, especially by the woodsy borders. Then, it's up to you to observe your dog for illness. We always are suspicious of tick-borne disease until we prove a different diagnosis. Use your veterinarian’s expertise to get advice on preventing and treating early. Second, have your dog tested annually for heartworms, having your pet’s doctor use the test that also looks for antibodies to the tick-borne problems above. Your veterinarian will help in interpreting those results and treating your dog appropriately if necessary.


Dr. Todd Friedland graduated from Cornell University in 1972. During his first six years as a veterinarian, he worked and studied under some of the most respected veterinarians in the Long Island, New York area. He fulfilled his childhood desire to live in a small New England town when he purchased the North Windham Animal Hospital in January of 1978. He has built the former 4-room country practice into a well-respected, high-quality, 3-doctor hospital, providing the best in veterinary medical advancements, client service, sophisticated medical and surgical skills, and community involvement. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, and Connecticut Academy of Veterinarians.

"I have grown to enjoy all aspects of pet care, but my special interests now lie in getting you off to the right start with your puppy and kitten through early and proper counseling and spending that extra time with pets as they get older. Geriatric medicine is one of my greatest pleasures."

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