I guess it is a good policy to have good hygiene as a human being and keep yourself healthy. I mean, we all know that this helps keep us healthy and preferably attractive to the opposite sex. It is a good habit to get into. Butch (and all dogs and cats and other furry pet type creatures) practice a certain level of personal hygiene themselves. Even the neglected, strays, and homeless dogs and cats take time to clean themselves up a bit when they have a chance. Some of these unfortunate animals inevitably become infested with various types of insects and parasites and eventually die due to lack of treatment. The more fortunate ones get picked up and receive Veterinary care to help relieve their suffering. I recall a sickening site on one of the rescue shows on TV where one poor dog had so many ticks on its back that it had no hair. Luckily this dog was treated by a couple of  ANGELS. An attending Vet and technician helped remove ALL of these ticks and address ALL of the individual problems this particular animal had. You have to know that the dog was absolutely in agony. Stray, abused, and neglected animals will have these problems because of the situation they are in, but for the most part, our pets, the little friends we have in our homes with us don't have to go through these kind of problems because of the many preventative measures that can be taken to prevent insect infestation, parasites, and other external dangers. Ticks can yield Lyme disease, Mosquitos can carry heartworm disease which is now in ALL 50 states and it is now known that Cats can also contract heartworm disease, fleas can carry tapeworms and cat fleas (i didn't know there was a difference,is there?) can carry the plague and murine typhus. Hmm, interesting. The simple act of Butch just lying in the yard as pictured above could lead to an outbreak of fleas for Him AND ME! Fleas can jump a long way! A simple mosquito bite can give him heartworm disease. Ticks can transfer Lyme disease and mites can cause mange. If you are a new pet owner or are looking for a preventative to help your pet resist some of these problems ask your vet for advice on what to use. There are tablet forms, topical forms and supplement forms of preventatives and there is no need for you and your pet to have to go through it! If you are looking for more information check out our blog for some of the info from Dr. Donna Spector, Dr. Nancy Kay, Dr. Patrick Mahaney and Dr. Kim Bloomer for advice on preventatives and don't forget there are also NATURAL remedies and preventatives that may suite your care plans for your pet. In my habitual looking around I found a good Web Site that discusses Fleas and other issues.