“Now that warmer conditions have arrived in most regions, it’s time to focus on keeping your hunting buddy protected from fleas and ticks. These unwanted guests on your dog, in addition to being disgusting, can transmit some very serious illnesses. It’s also important to note that while a vaccine exists for Lyme disease, it is not a guarantee your dog won’t get the disease, nor does it protect against the other diseases transmitted by ticks. This means you need to have a flea and tick strategy that includes pharmaceutical management. Over the last several years, many topical and oral flea and tick preventatives have entered the market. As with anything, they all come with pros and cons, so it is important to discuss your unique situation with your veterinarian to make sure you are using the product best suited for your dog. This includes discussing any travel plans as well. You may live in a part of the country that doesn’t currently have certain tick-borne diseases, but if you travel to hunt, compete in dog games or vacation in areas that do, you will want to make sure your dog is protected differently than most of the dogs in your home area.” — Dr. Joe Spoo