{"id":844,"date":"2026-04-13T08:35:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T13:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/?p=844"},"modified":"2026-04-13T08:35:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T13:35:34","slug":"what-parasites-start-showing-up-before-summer-in-east-tennessee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/what-parasites-start-showing-up-before-summer-in-east-tennessee\/","title":{"rendered":"What Parasites Start Showing Up Before Summer in East Tennessee"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Pup<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We often think of summer as the <\/em>prime time for parasites, but here in the Volunteer State, we\u2019re lucky enough to get an early parasite season. We\u2019re being sarcastic, of course\u2014we\u2019re not lucky at all. But the team at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital<\/a> is here to help you mitigate the risks of spring parasites for your East Tennessee pets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what we want you to know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Which Spring Pet Parasites to Watch For in East Tennessee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fleas, ticks<\/a>, and internal parasites, oh my! We deal with all three here in East Tennessee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to our deliciously mild winters and not-so-deliciously humid climate, flea season comes early in Tennessee. Fleas can get active as soon as temperatures consistently rise above 50\u00b0F. Or, if your home is particularly warm and humid, fleas can thrive there even earlier in the spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring also wakes up the ticks of Tennessee at around the same time. These buggers tend to start multiplying in the early spring, transmitting serious diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. While dogs are the most at risk of getting ticks, cats are susceptible, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, we arrive at internal parasites, perhaps one of the worst types of spring pet parasites ever. With spring comes mud, and with mud comes the perfect breeding conditions<\/a> for roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and\u2014worst of all\u2014heartworms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puppies are the most susceptible to serious complications from roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, but heartworms can affect dogs of any age who are exposed to infected mosquitoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And trust us: we have plenty <\/em>of infected mosquitoes here in Tennessee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Parasites in Dogs and Cats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that we know which parasites are out and about this time of year, let\u2019s cover the signs to watch out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n