Getting ready for a camping trip is a lot of work – especially if you’re taking your dog. On top of all your own necessities to deal with the great outdoors, you have to pack all of their gear, food, toys, and bedding, too. However, one of the most important items isn’t something you have to physically bring with you to the campsite. Instead, through your commitment to your pet’s year round parasite prevention, they’ll be totally prepared for what nature has in store.

Into the Lion’s Den

Most people travel to the woods and mountains when camping. Unfortunately, heavily forested areas are prime habitats for ticks, mostly because they prey on roaming deer and other animals. Lying in wait for their next blood meal, ticks can quickly attach themselves to your dog’s legs, paws, belly, or tail.

Better Safe Than Sorry

At your pet’s routine wellness exam we address their lifestyle and potential exposure to bothersome fleas, heartworm-spreading mosquitoes, and of course, ticks. All pets (even indoor-only ones) should be protected from disease, and the best way to do that is through vaccinations and parasite prevention.

Bonus Bug Killers

In addition to your pet’s oral or topical parasite prevention medication taking out external bugs, internal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms are also effectively handled.

Ticks Are Downright Bad

On the surface, ticks can cause skin irritation, but if they’re allowed to hang out on your pet’s skin for a day or more, if they have the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, your pet may as well. Equally terrible are diseases like anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever – all transmitted by ticks.

Keeping It Real

Once your pet’s parasite prevention is underway, there’s still more to do regarding your camping trip, such as:

• Keep your pet’s coat nice and trim to reduce a tick’s opportunity to cling onto it.
• Closely inspect your pet’s skin and coat every day during the trip.
• Bring along a tick key and a pet first aid kit.
• Discourage your dog from running around off-leash (this can protect the from dangerous run-ins with predators as well as inhibits them from exploring overgrown, bushy areas that are popular with ticks).
• Bring a pet-safe insect repellent to keep bugs at bay.

Parasite Prevention and You

There are many ways you can be proactive about your pet’s parasite prevention, like apps, simple calendar reminders, and more. Because your pet’s health and wellness matter the most to Team Parkside, we hope you’ll contact us with any questions or concerns.