When can a dog shower after flea and tick drops? – Sentinel and Enterprise

Sarrju likes treking in the woods and is examined after every walk. (COURTESY CRAGIN WARNER FAMILY)

DEAR FAMILY PET TALK: How not long after you use flea and tick drops to a dog can you offer a dog a bath? — Daily Woods Hiker

DEAR DAILY WOODS HIKER: How terrific that you and your dog delight in the outdoors together! However, as all of us understand, ticks and fleas are extremely active and securing our family pets (and ourselves) is necessary.

First: inspect the paper insert that features the drops — these typically suggest a minimum of 2 days or 2 days, approximately 72 hours. However, after speaking with good friends who operate in the family pet care sphere, the word on the street is that you risk of cleaning off the lotion if you shower your dog prior to 72 hours pass. When in doubt, call the producer.

It’s essential to use drops each month, even if your dog doesn’t appear to spend a great deal of time out of doors. Lyme illness is on the increase and in my research study I discovered that in 2020 one in 8 dogs checked positive for Lyme in Massachusetts; with one in 5 dogs screening positive in Worcester County. Those are disconcerting numbers, however you can minimize the possibility of your dog contracting Lyme by doing the following:

• Be thorough about the flea and tick drops each month.

• Check your dog’s fur completely after each walk and eliminate and eliminate every tick. Use a comb or brush if your dog has thick fur.

• Check yourself, and use light colored clothes, with trousers embeded socks so ticks might be seen.

• Routinely get your dog checked for Lyme illness every year at the veterinarian.

There is no item that will avoid the tick from connecting — however drops will help avoid the ticks from being connected too long. If the ticks have Lyme illness, the longer they remain connected to your family pet, the most likely it is that they will send the illness. Following these actions will minimize the threat of tick-borne illness for dogs — and yourself. Happy routes!

Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Visit them on Facebook and text concerns to 978-320-1335