Most people would be happy to live out their lives never having to see a tick. These eight legged parasites invoke almost as strong of a negative reaction as spiders do. However, dog owners especially need to be aware of the potential for their pet to acquire ticks and the possibility of their dog contracting a serious tick-borne disease. As vectors of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tularemia, and Lyme Disease, ticks can be found in every state and have even been known to survive longer than a year. Due to the small size, many ticks will go unnoticed by pet owners. Fortunately, veterinary science has several options available to protect our pets.

Dr. Kevin R. Kazacos, DVM, Ph.D., an expert in parasites at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, warns that fleas, ticks and other external parasites are best prevented. Once you let fleas into your home, youll need the help of an exterminator to get rid of them, and ticks a common disease vectors. Preventative treatments for external parasites are widely available and very effective, but you should see your local veterinarian for the best treatments for your pets.

Cat flea and tick topical treatments should be applied to the skin between the cats shoulder blades. Learn more about applying flea and tick treatments on cats with tips from a veterinarian in this free cat health video.