Summer Pest and Parasite Watch in Coastal Virginia: Protect Your Pets from Fleas, Ticks and Heartworms

Cat and dog sitting together in grass on sunny summer day.

Summer fun in Coastal Virginia delivers more than just sunshine, it also brings hidden dangers for your pets. Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are out in full force, and they do not take a vacation. Left untreated, these pests can cause itching, skin irritation and allergic reactions, such as flea allergy dermatitis; anemia (prevalent in kittens and puppies due to blood loss); and tapeworm transmission. 

Fleas can also infest your home, laying eggs in carpets, bedding and furniture. Tick bites can transmit serious diseases, including Lyme disease, while heartworm infections—spread by mosquitoes—can be potentially fatal if left untreated.

Whether your pets roam the backyard or rarely leave the couch, they are still at risk. Here is how to spot the signs of trouble and keep your furry family members safe from parasites all season long. The best defense? Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention—recommended by us at Ally Urgent Veterinary Care for both indoor and outdoor pets.

Flea Infestations and Treatment 

For dogs, keep an eye out for signs of: 

  • Fleas and Flea Dirt – These small, fast-moving insects are especially visible on the belly and inner thighs. Inspect for flea dirt as well. These small black flecks resemble pepper, found on the skin or bedding (flea feces).

  • Hair Loss – From excessive itching (often near the tail or thighs).

  • Pale Gums – In severe infestations, due to blood loss and anemia (especially in puppies).

  • Red, Irritated Skin – Especially in allergic dogs (flea allergy dermatitis).

  • Restlessness or Discomfort – Difficulty sleeping or acting irritable.

  • Scabs or Hot Spots – From scratching or secondary skin infections.

  • Scratching and Biting – Especially around the base of the tail, belly, groin or thighs.

Be on the lookout for these signs in cats:

  • Anemia – Lethargy or pale gums in heavy infestations, particularly in kittens.

  • Behavioral Changes – Irritability or reluctance to be touched.

  • Excessive Grooming – May over groom or chew fur, especially on the lower back and belly.

  • Flea Dirt – Seen with a flea comb or when moistened on a paper towel (turns reddish-brown).

  • Hair Loss – Often in a stripe along the spine or around the neck.

  • Itching or Scratching – Usually less obvious than in dogs, but still present.

  • Small Scabs (Miliary Dermatitis) – Common around the neck and spine.

  • Visible Fleas – May be seen running through the fur, though cats often groom them away.

To  confirm your pet has fleas, use a flea comb to check near the base of the tail, under the arms or belly. Look for flea dirt or live fleas. A veterinary exam can help confirm and treat the problem effectively. 

Keeping up with your pet’s year-round flea, tick and heartworm preventative is the key to keeping these pests away. This easy application will keep your pets comfortable and itch-free, while protecting against tapeworms and secondary skin infections—and avoiding costly and difficult-to-eradicate home infestations! 

Tick Prevention

The risks of ticks can lead to serious animal medical conditions, such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (in dogs), Cytauxzoonosis (a fatal tick-borne disease in cats, especially in the southern U.S.) and tick paralysis in rare cases. 

Signs of tick bites in pets include fever, loss of appetite, stiff joints and lethargy. Even indoor pets are at risk. Ticks can arrive on people’s clothing and other pets. 

Keeping up with your pet’s monthly flea, tick and heartworm treatment will help to stop transmission of these potentially deadly diseases. It also reduces the risk of human exposure to tick-borne illnesses, while keeping your pets safe outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas. 

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm disease is a serious condition that results in severe lung disease, heart failure and other organ damage and death in pets—mainly dogs, cats and ferrets. A parasitic worm called Dirofilarial Immitis is the cause. The worms spread through the bite of a mosquito. 

As described by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the pet is the definitive host, meaning that the worms mature into adults, mate and produce offspring while living inside a pet. The mosquito is the intermediate host, meaning that the worms live inside a mosquito for a short transition period to become infective (able to cause heartworm disease). The worms are called “heartworms” because the adults live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of an infected animal.

According to the American Heartworm Society, many dogs show few or no symptoms in the early stages of this potentially fatal  disease. Eventually, signs may include a mild persistent cough, fatigue, decreased appetite and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen. Treatment is expensive, invasive and risky, especially in dogs. And there is no approved treatment for cats.

Prevention is the only defense, through monthly applications of year-round flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. 

Protecting your pet does not have to be a guessing game. Talk to your veterinarian about the best year-round prevention plan for your pet’s needs, lifestyle and risk level. A little foresight now can save you—and your pet—a lot of discomfort (and cost) later. For more pet-friendly news, tips and information, visit Ally Urgent Veterinary Care's News Blog.

Questions? Contact us at Ally Urgent Veterinary Care. Our team is here for you, with two clinics serving Virginia Beach and Chesapeake/Northeastern North Carolina. Call us at 757-900-ALLY (2559) or visit allyurgentvet.com/check-in to “check-in” online.

Summer Pest and Parasite Watch in Coastal Virginia: Protect Your Pets from Fleas, Ticks and Heartworms

Cat and dog sitting together in grass on sunny summer day.

Summer fun in Coastal Virginia delivers more than just sunshine, it also brings hidden dangers for your pets. Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are out in full force, and they do not take a vacation. Left untreated, these pests can cause itching, skin irritation and allergic reactions, such as flea allergy dermatitis; anemia (prevalent in kittens and puppies due to blood loss); and tapeworm transmission. 

Fleas can also infest your home, laying eggs in carpets, bedding and furniture. Tick bites can transmit serious diseases, including Lyme disease, while heartworm infections—spread by mosquitoes—can be potentially fatal if left untreated.

Whether your pets roam the backyard or rarely leave the couch, they are still at risk. Here is how to spot the signs of trouble and keep your furry family members safe from parasites all season long. The best defense? Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention—recommended by us at Ally Urgent Veterinary Care for both indoor and outdoor pets.

Flea Infestations and Treatment 

For dogs, keep an eye out for signs of: 

  • Fleas and Flea Dirt – These small, fast-moving insects are especially visible on the belly and inner thighs. Inspect for flea dirt as well. These small black flecks resemble pepper, found on the skin or bedding (flea feces).

  • Hair Loss – From excessive itching (often near the tail or thighs).

  • Pale Gums – In severe infestations, due to blood loss and anemia (especially in puppies).

  • Red, Irritated Skin – Especially in allergic dogs (flea allergy dermatitis).

  • Restlessness or Discomfort – Difficulty sleeping or acting irritable.

  • Scabs or Hot Spots – From scratching or secondary skin infections.

  • Scratching and Biting – Especially around the base of the tail, belly, groin or thighs.

Be on the lookout for these signs in cats:

  • Anemia – Lethargy or pale gums in heavy infestations, particularly in kittens.

  • Behavioral Changes – Irritability or reluctance to be touched.

  • Excessive Grooming – May over groom or chew fur, especially on the lower back and belly.

  • Flea Dirt – Seen with a flea comb or when moistened on a paper towel (turns reddish-brown).

  • Hair Loss – Often in a stripe along the spine or around the neck.

  • Itching or Scratching – Usually less obvious than in dogs, but still present.

  • Small Scabs (Miliary Dermatitis) – Common around the neck and spine.

  • Visible Fleas – May be seen running through the fur, though cats often groom them away.

To  confirm your pet has fleas, use a flea comb to check near the base of the tail, under the arms or belly. Look for flea dirt or live fleas. A veterinary exam can help confirm and treat the problem effectively. 

Keeping up with your pet’s year-round flea, tick and heartworm preventative is the key to keeping these pests away. This easy application will keep your pets comfortable and itch-free, while protecting against tapeworms and secondary skin infections—and avoiding costly and difficult-to-eradicate home infestations! 

Tick Prevention

The risks of ticks can lead to serious animal medical conditions, such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (in dogs), Cytauxzoonosis (a fatal tick-borne disease in cats, especially in the southern U.S.) and tick paralysis in rare cases. 

Signs of tick bites in pets include fever, loss of appetite, stiff joints and lethargy. Even indoor pets are at risk. Ticks can arrive on people’s clothing and other pets. 

Keeping up with your pet’s monthly flea, tick and heartworm treatment will help to stop transmission of these potentially deadly diseases. It also reduces the risk of human exposure to tick-borne illnesses, while keeping your pets safe outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas. 

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm disease is a serious condition that results in severe lung disease, heart failure and other organ damage and death in pets—mainly dogs, cats and ferrets. A parasitic worm called Dirofilarial Immitis is the cause. The worms spread through the bite of a mosquito. 

As described by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the pet is the definitive host, meaning that the worms mature into adults, mate and produce offspring while living inside a pet. The mosquito is the intermediate host, meaning that the worms live inside a mosquito for a short transition period to become infective (able to cause heartworm disease). The worms are called “heartworms” because the adults live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of an infected animal.

According to the American Heartworm Society, many dogs show few or no symptoms in the early stages of this potentially fatal  disease. Eventually, signs may include a mild persistent cough, fatigue, decreased appetite and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen. Treatment is expensive, invasive and risky, especially in dogs. And there is no approved treatment for cats.

Prevention is the only defense, through monthly applications of year-round flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. 

Protecting your pet does not have to be a guessing game. Talk to your veterinarian about the best year-round prevention plan for your pet’s needs, lifestyle and risk level. A little foresight now can save you—and your pet—a lot of discomfort (and cost) later. For more pet-friendly news, tips and information, visit Ally Urgent Veterinary Care's News Blog.

Questions? Contact us at Ally Urgent Veterinary Care. Our team is here for you, with two clinics serving Virginia Beach and Chesapeake/Northeastern North Carolina. Call us at 757-900-ALLY (2559) or visit allyurgentvet.com/check-in to “check-in” online.

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