Show notes
Speaking of Pets with guest Dr. Lindsay Starkey!
Dr. Starkey earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Arkansas and her DVM and PhD degrees at Oklahoma State University, where her graduate research focused on vector-borne infections. She completed her residency training through the National Center for Veterinary Parasitology at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Starkey recently rejoined Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor after several years at Auburn University. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiology with a subspecialty in parasitology. She is involved in various research projects involving vectors, vector-borne pathogens, and diagnostic parasitology. She also teaches parasitology to veterinary students and has received 2 teaching awards, most recently the Zoetis Distinguished Teacher Award. She currently serves as a board member for the National Center for Veterinary Parasitology and the American Heartworm Society.
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention isn’t just for summer. In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Starkey, veterinarian Dr. Alice Jeromin, and Janet Novotny King discuss why pets can still be exposed to parasites throughout the year—and what owners can do to help protect them.
They challenge common assumptions, including that the first frost gets rid of fleas and that removing a tick is all you need to do. The conversation explores how heartworms, fleas, and ticks survive changing temperatures, why flea infestations can persist in the home, and how different preventives offer different kinds of protection.
You’ll also hear what to consider when choosing a preventive, why a missed dose may matter, and what to do if you find a tick on your pet—including why saving it may be useful. The guests discuss counterfeit products, heartworm testing for rescue dogs, and how a pet’s lifestyle and local parasite risks can affect prevention choices.
Whether you live with a dog, cat, or both, this episode offers practical information to help you have a more informed conversation with your veterinarian about year-round parasite protection.
Key topics:
- Year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Common misconceptions about parasite control in winter
- Tick behavior and how they find hosts
- The importance of testing ticks for diseases
- Choosing the right parasite prevention products
- The impact of climate and seasons on parasite activity
- The process of tick testing and what it reveals
- Risks of counterfeit pet medications
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Your Northeast Ohio animal newspaper connection is the Country Critter Journal. With distribution in Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties you'll have to pick one up wherever you find magazines. Can't stop in to pick up your copy? No worries! View the publication online at https://neoccj.com
Speaking of Pets is owned by SLA Video Productions. Do not reproduce without written consent.
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