yes, you should continue heartworm and flea & tick preventatives in the winter!

​It's a common misconception that fleas, ticks and other parasites die with the first frost. Not true! Many of these critters hit snooze when it's freezing outside but do a big stretch and look for lunch in temps as low as 33 degrees, transmitting some pretty terrible parasites and diseases to our pets even in the depths of winter.

​At Concord Animal Hospital we are passionate about keeping your pets happy and healthy all year long. That's why we strongly encourage our clients to continue giving their beloved dogs and cats their heartworm and flea & tick preventatives even when the temperatures drop. Here's why! 

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These pests are tougher than you think! 

• Ticks are active in temperatures above 40 degrees. Once the thermometer creeps up on balmy winter days these robust parasites jump back into action.  This is a mild winter, with plenty of stretches of gorgeous warm weather. Days where temps top 40 degrees bring blooms of ticks and spikes in tick-borne diseases like lyme and anaplasma. 
• Fleas can live in temperatures as low as 33 degrees for up to five days, plenty of time to hop a ride on your dog or cat and make a cozy home in your house. Once they become your roommate, the weather outside won't help protect your pets against these critters!
• Flea eggs can live in protected areas like crawl spaces or porches - freezing temperatures won't always kill these eggs.
• ​Heartworm and flea and tick preventives also protect against other less seasonal parasites such as hookworm, roundworm and the mange. These parasites are transmitted year round through feces, small animals your pet might eat or through contact with another pet carrying the microscopic monsters.

New England winters aren't consistently freezing
Yes, from December through February the temperatures are generally below freezing but, as they say, if you don't like the weather in New England, wait a minute and it'll change.
​Stretches of lovely 40 or even 50 degree weather in the middle of January are common. With weather like ours, it's extremely difficult to predict what mosquitoes, fleas and ticks will do. It's better to be safe than sorry and make sure your pet is always protected.
Side effects of preventatives are mild while the risks of stopping treatment can be serious in terms of your pet's health and financial costs. ​These pests are certainly less prevalent in the winter, but they are still present and can still pose a danger to your pet. Keep you pet safe this winter by continuing to administer your heart worm and flea & tick preventatives all year round