Enjoy the crisp air and crunchy leaves—while keeping those unwanted hitchhikers away!

How many of you are happy that fall is here? The weather is cooler and more comfortable, and there are no bugs! I think that's my favorite part - NOT having to douse myself in bug spray every time I go for a walk. But remember, our pets can suffer from insect attacks, too, even during this time of year. In fact, early autumn is when fleas and ticks can be most active in Pennsylvania. (And yes, I know that ticks are technically not insects. They are more closely related to spiders and mites). Many people erroneously think that fleas and ticks are only a threat in the really hot sticky months, and they frequently stop using prevention in September or October. This practice leaves your pet vulnerable to infestations. Ticks can remain active in the environment at temperatures above 45 degrees. So far this fall, we haven't dipped below 45 degrees for a daytime high. Fleas are less hardy, but can easily live inside your home during the winter months. Even indoor cats are at risk of flea infestations. This is because fleas can hitch a ride on your shoes or clothing, and can also be brought in by squirrels, mice and chipmunks living in attics or house siding. You may not see fleas on your cats. Cats are typically fastidious groomers and frequently swallow the fleas as they clean themselves. Also, not all pets are allergic to fleas. This means that your furry companions may be hosting an entire family of fleas (potentially hundreds of bugs!) and you can't even tell. Usually, pet parents only know there is a problem because they see their pets scratching or licking more, or they may develop hot spots, hair loss, or rashes on the skin. Humans can easily become infested with fleas from their pets and you may find small red marks on your own skin. Ticks are more difficult to transfer to a human directly from a cat or dog, as ticks typically stay on their host one they have found one. However, if you cuddle with your pets (don't we all?) a tick can easily travel from your pet's fur to your skin and attach to you. Though our flea and tick populations in Pennsylvania have not decreased, our preventative medications have improved. Decades ago, we only had topical treatments. These were sometimes messy and irritating, and didn't always work well if your dog liked to swim or was frequently bathed. Cats needed to be separated from one another to prevent them from grooming the topical medication off each other. In the past several years, a new class of drug, the isoxazolines, has been revolutionizing how we treat flea and tick infestations. This preventative medication is available in 1 and 3-month duration chewable tablets and topicals for dogs and cats. There is also an injectable medication for dogs that lasts an ENTIRE year! That means you don't have to worry about forgetting your prevention. It can be given yearly at your dog's annual checkup, and is safe to give with vaccines and other medications. Isoxazolines work by paralyzing the cells of the nervous system in fleas, ticks, mites and lice. The drug can bind to the cells of mammals, but not very well. This makes this drug class an overall very safe and effective choice for flea and tick prevention in our dogs and cats. Some animals may be at risk of some side effects, so talk with your vet to find out if they would be right for your pet. And remember, always check yourself for ticks if you have been in a potentially infested area. Humans can contract Lyme disease (as can dogs), and it is extremely prevalent in Pennsylvania. Please remember to take care of yourself and your human family members, along with your furry family. I hope you all enjoy the cooler weather, but keep a lookout for any unwanted pests!