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Spring has sprung and what a lovely time to be outside with our furry friends! However, the warm weather often brings the unwelcome attention of fleas and ticks. According to the ASPCA, fleas are the most common external parasite that plague our pets. They are wingless insects that feed on blood. So, what can we do about fleas? Prevention is the best defense and it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms. Fleas are most commonly noticed on a dog's abdomen, the base of the tail, and the head. You may notice excessive scratching, licking or biting at the skin. If you see your cat scratching often, chewing or licking, pay attention to the neck and base of the tail. Flea prevention suggestions include: • The use of a flea comb on your pet and washing bedding once a week. • Keeping the outside of your house free of organic debris such as clippings and leaves as fleas like to hide in dark, moist, shady areas. • Talking with your veterinarian about preventative flea control products. If you do suspect your pet has fleas, consult your veterinarian who will come up with a treatment plan that may include: topical or oral treatment, the use of shampoos, sprays, or powders, as well as a thorough cleaning of your house or lawn treatments. The Humane Society describes ticks as parasites that feed on the blood of host animals. Their presence may not even be noticed by the host animal! If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, tick checks should be part of your daily routine. If you find one on your pet: • Scan for ticks by running your fingers over their body carefully. If you feel a bump or swollen area, see if a tick has burrowed there. • To remove it use gloves, clean tweezers, disinfectant or antiseptic cream, and isopropyl alcohol. Use the tweezers to grasp it close to the skin and pull it out in a straight, steady motion. Anything left behind could cause an infection. • To clean up, drop it in the alcohol, note the date you found it, wash your hands, clean the wound with antiseptic and tweezers with alcohol. • Keep your eye on the wound. By knowing what to look for and what to do if we find fleas or ticks on our pets, we can continue to enjoy our time outside with our furry friends! ~ Patti Brock, pbrockster@mac.com 34 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2020 Tails & Trails - All Pets We've been getting reports of encounters with coyotes on the trail system here, especially if you are walking with your dog. We have been intruding on their natural habitat and are trespassing on their natural hunting grounds. Coyotes can be intimidating and menacing and they should be treated with a healthy respect, but humans do have the upper hand when seeing a coyote. Here is an article from Coyote Hunter website. "What To Do During A Coyote Encounter "1. Don't panic: Coyote encounters are frequent in some areas, and many people don't know how to react. The most important thing is to not panic. Panicking prevents you from thinking straight and makes you even more confused and scared. Coyotes can sense fear and can become even more aggressive. "2. Make loud noises: Coyotes shouldn't be feared. You should start making loud noises or yell, while waving your hands up and down, so that they will be intimidated by your behavior. If you happen to have an air horn or a device that makes loud sounds, use it. They will see you as a threat. "3. Don't run: Coyotes can sense fear and there is a high possibility that they will be more offensive if you try to run. As they are similar to dogs, coyotes might become more aggressive if you run and might decide to chase you. "4. Don't turn your back: If you find yourself face to face with a coyote, it is very important not to turn your back to him - it will only make you feel uncertain. It is better to face the 'danger' in order to avoid any unexpected moves. "All in all, coyotes are wild animals which should not be regarded as pets. Taking preventive measures against them is the best solution." When walking on the trails, paths, and sidewalks here at Four Seasons, be confident and be safe! All pack walks have been canceled until further notice as a result of guidelines imposed by Riverside County due to the COVID-19 virus. ~ Patrick and his dog, Ricky Ricardo: dog_owners@yahoo.com Dog Owners Group Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.

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