Flea & Tick Survival Guide

Reviewed and updated for accuracy on June3, 2019, by Dr. Hanie Elfenbein, DVM, PhD Many dog owners and animal lovers who wouldn't hurt a fly are happy to make an exception for fleas and ticks. And while flea and tick medications are the most effective preventative strategies that you can use during tick and flea season, some people are likely tempted to try home remedies and alternative… Read More

By Geoff Williams Before they married, Angelo and Diana Scala knew they would get a dog and that it would be a Boxer. Sure enough, almost right after their wedding they picked their Boxer Louie from a breeder's litter. When they brought the eight-week old puppy to their home in Downers Grove, Ill., in the waning days of 2010, strangers and neighbors never failed to comment on what a… Read More

When someone refers to a dog as "mangy" it conjures up a specific image, but what exactly is mange and what does it mean for you and your dog? Mange is the common term for a skin infection from microscopic mites, either the Scabies mite or the Demodex mite.While these two mites are often grouped into the same category of mange they are quite different in their clinical presentation and… Read More

Fleas are most certainly annoying, but signs of their infestation are not always so obvious, especially if you are dealing with the problem for the first time. Here are few things veterinarians recommend watching out for – even if you don’t think fleas could possibly get into your home. 1. Abnormal Scratching, Licking and/or Biting Fleas are opportunistic arthropods that seek out our pets’ blood… Read More

Knowing where fleas live, both in and around your home,can help you cut off an infestation at the source.See our step-by-step guide to making your houseinhospitable to fleas. You won't be sorry! Read More

Where Do Ticks Hide? Ticks can pose a serious threat to our pets and their health. Ticks can spread diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. To help prevent your pet from getting infected with a tick-borne disease, it is always smart to check your dog for ticksafter spending time outdoors or to check your cat for ticks if they are indoor/outdoor cats. There are a few favorite… Read More