Ticks, Fleas & Mosquitoes: How to Protect Your Dog This Summer

Summer in Austin is beautiful — but it comes with some uninvited guests. As temperatures rise across Central Texas, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes explode in population, turning every backyard hike or trail walk into a potential exposure event for your dog.



What makes this especially dangerous is how silent these threats are. Your dog may come home from a walk with a tick already attached and you'd never know — until symptoms appear days or even weeks later

Black-and-tan dog sitting in front of white flowering bushes

What's at Stake

These aren't just nuisance pests. They are vectors for serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases:

  • Ticks can transmit Lyme disease (causing joint pain, fever, and kidney damage) and Ehrlichiosis (a bacterial infection that attacks white blood cells).
  • Mosquitoes are the primary carrier of Heartworm, a parasite that lives in the heart and lungs and can be fatal if left untreated.
  • Fleas cause intense skin irritation, allergic reactions, and can even transmit tapeworms.

Prevention is Everything

The single most effective thing you can do is ensure your dog is on a year-round, vet-approved parasite prevention plan. This typically includes a monthly heartworm preventative and a flea/tick preventative — your primary vet can help you choose the right combination for your dog's lifestyle and size.

Small black-and-tan dog sitting in tall green grass outdoors with its mouth open.

The Post-Hike Tick Check

After every walk in grassy or wooded areas, do a full-body tick check before your dog comes inside. Run your fingers slowly through their coat and pay special attention to:

  • Behind and inside the ears
  • Between the toes and paw pads
  • In the armpits and groin area
  • Under the collar
  • Around the tail base



If you find a tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, and never use petroleum jelly or heat. After removal, clean the area with rubbing alcohol and wash your hands.

When to Call Your Vet

If your dog develops a fever, sudden lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen joints, or a rash after a tick bite, contact your veterinarian immediately. Many tick-borne diseases respond well to treatment when caught early.



At Violet Crown Veterinary Specialists, we're here 24/7 if you're ever concerned about your pet's health. Call us at 512-284-2877 or visit us at 14360 Falcon Head Blvd., Bee Cave, TX 78738.

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