ATLANTA -- Spot a flea or two on your dog or cat, and the reaction is likely to be a slight shudder and a mental note to check the calendar to see if it's time for the monthly application of a few magic drops between the shoulder blades.

But spot a tick or two on your pet, and the reaction is more likely to be a string of swear words, or even a scream.

There's something about those nasty eight-legged pests that evokes a visceral reaction and does more than trigger a desire for parasite control: The sight of a tick, says internationally known flea and tick expert Dr. Michael Dryden of Kansas State University, makes pet owners dream of a nuclear option able to annihilate the blood-sucking pests in as complete and painful a way as possible.

And if possible, by yesterday.

Says Dr. Dryden, affectionately known as "Dr. Flea" in veterinary and academic circles, don't hold your breath. That's because the range and numbers of North America's tick species -- about a dozen of them -- just keep growing, along with the populations of deer and wild turkey that serve as their primary targets.

"When I started studying ticks, I didn't know I needed to study deer," Dr. Dryden said at the American Veterinary Medical Association's recent convention in Atlanta. "But where there are deer, there are ticks. When I was growing up, we used to stop and stare in amazement when we saw a deer. Now, you only stop if you hit one."

The explosion of deer populations means that ticks are everywhere -- and in mild climates, they're a year-round problem that's not getting better and likely won't.

Aggressive hunting and deforestation had decimated deer and turkey populations by the beginning of the last century, said Dr. Dryden, noting that the deer population of the United States and Canada fell below 300,000 before legislation banned the mass slaughter of game animals -- and the U.S. alone is now approaching 28 million deer.

Add increases in the number of deer and wild turkey -- perfect hosts for juvenile ticks, noted Dr. Dryden -- to the successful efforts to regrow forests, as well as a mobile human population that loves to be where the wild things are, and, well, the good news for ticks just keeps coming.

"It's a numbers game," said Dr. Dryden, who said the problem widely thought to be resistance to tick-control products is really a matter of those products being overwhelmed. In some areas, a dog can pick up one tick per minute on a simple walk, and if a spot-on product eliminates all but a couple of them, the dog's owner will consider it a failure.

"Tick control isn't like flea control," he said. "People want to have ticks eliminated and repelled, and that's just not possible."

Still, he says, some products seem to do better in different regions against different tick populations, making it worthwhile to ask your veterinarian which product works best in your area. For the ticks that remain -- and there will always be ticks, ticks and more ticks -- picking them off with tweezers or a tick-removal tool immediately after a walk remains the best defense against the parasites. On your property, keep grasses cut low, leaf piles cleaned up and spray under shrubs and along the fence lines, where ticks are waiting for you and your pets.

That, or avoid the areas where ticks are heaviest from spring through fall.

"Sometimes, the only thing I can advise is that you can't take your dog where you've been taking your dog," said Dr. Dryden.

Q&A

Parrots can survive

the shift to feral

Q: There has been a big green parrot flying around my neighborhood for the last couple of years. Can parrots really survive so far away from their natural habitat? -- T.S., via e-mail

A: Depends on where you live. If you live in warm Southern California or tropical South Florida, the answer is likely to be "yes." Both of those regions are well-known for colonies of feral parrots -- escaped pets, most likely, now living as wild. Even in cooler, more northern climates, sightings of parrots gone wild are not uncommon.

Some areas consider feral parrots to be a threat to native species, as in the case of a Quaker (also known as Monk) parakeet. The bird's easy ability to thrive in the wild and its aggressive colonizing tendencies have led to the species being banned as pets in some jurisdictions, most notably the entire state of California.

On trips to Southern California, I haven't noticed any Quaker parakeets, but I have seen many other parrots -- and listened to their loud calls to each other at dawn and dusk. In Northern California, San Francisco has a well-known colony of feral parrots, and even where I live in Sacramento, Calif., my old neighborhood had a couple of conures living wild for years -- and I assume they're still there.

By the way, some if not most parrots will not survive the transition from house pet to wild animal, so setting one "free" if you can no longer provide a home isn't a good option, either for your bird or for the environment. - Gina Spadafori

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.

THE BUZZ

Taking cat's pulse

isn't hard to do

-- A cat's heart normally beats between 140 and 220 times per minute, with a relaxed cat on the lower end of the scale. It's not unusual for a heartbeat to be high at the veterinarian's, since cats don't like being away from home, and they certainly don't like being poked and prodded by strangers. You also can take your cat's pulse at home. You need a watch that clicks the seconds off and your cat, of course. Put your hand over your cat's left side, behind the front leg. You'll feel the heart pulsing beneath your fingers. (If you can't, you might talk to your veterinarian about getting some of the weight off your cat.) Count the beats while 15 seconds click off your watch; multiply by four to get the BPM, or beats per minute.

-- Of all the animals to disappear from the face of the Earth, nine out of 10 have been birds, and among these the most well-known is arguably the dodo. The flightless bird had no natural enemies and thus was easy prey for European explorers who killed them not only to eat, but also for sport because the birds had no natural fear of humans. Those birds that survived the explorers were doomed by the settlers, whose dogs, cats and pigs ate fledglings as well as eggs. In less than a century after the birds were discovered by Europeans in 1598, not a single dodo was alive.

-- With a compact size, easy-care coat and happy nature, the beagle has long had a place as one of the most popular breeds for families. They're also used as scent detection dogs at U.S. airports, where their friendliness allows them to search for weapons, drugs and illegal food items without making passengers nervous the way a larger "police dog" might. The breed was developed in England to hunt rabbits, and beagles are still happiest when following their noses. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

Prevention is always a better option, no matter what the problem. It's usually easier, less expensive and certainly less painful. That's never been more true than when it comes to cancer.

While cancer is more treatable than ever before, veterinarians also now know more about what steps can be taken to help prevent the dreaded disease.

To reduce the risk of cancer in your pet:

-- Make sure your dog has good nutrition, weight-management and plenty of exercise. Help your dog to maintain a fit body for life. A fit dog will have a wasplike waist and a tucked-in abdomen.

-- Feed your dog a high-quality diet made by a reputable company or a home-prepared diet prepared with the help of your veterinarian. Start with the amount of food recommended for your dog and adjust accordingly with how your pet's body responds. Cut down on extra calories by substituting baby carrots as treats or by adding volume to meals with green beans.

-- Consider adding omega-3 fatty acids (also known as n-3, found in fish oils and other sources) to potentially reduce the risk of developing cancer. Get regular exercise, and you and your dog will benefit with greater health and a closer, more vibrant relationship.

-- Spay or neuter your dog. Spaying and neutering have been shown to be an effective method of preventing cancer. Spaying has a significant impact on preventing breast cancer if it is done before a dog goes into her first heat cycle. Discuss the timing and the options with your veterinarian, though: Waiting to alter until later, especially in breeds prone to bone cancer, is worth considering for some male dogs -- although the majority of pets are better off neutered.

-- Choose clean living for your dog. Eliminate exposure to environmental carcinogens such as pesticides, coal or kerosene heaters, herbicides, passive tobacco smoke, asbestos, radiation and strong electromagnetic fields. Each one of these factors has been suggested to increase the risk of cancer in your dog (and in you).

You may do everything you can and still end up with a cancer diagnosis for your pet. Don't despair. Cure rates and an improved quality of life are increasing because families are working with veterinarians to identify the disease in its initial stages and to employ new technologies that are highly effective in the early stages of cancer care.

Even for those dogs who cannot be cured, most who are treated are still able to enjoy an improved, robust life. In most situations, animals undergoing cancer treatment experience limited to no decrease in their quality of life.

Almost all dogs with cancer can be helped, and you can defeat the darkness of cancer with knowledge. Work with your veterinary team to learn as much about the disease and its treatment as possible. Be proactive. Ask questions and obtain resources to tear away the many misconceptions about cancer and cancer therapies. Tackling the emotional aspects of cancer can enhance your ability to think clearly, make decisions, and begin to find the hope and opportunities that lie before you as you deal with your dog's cancer.

Understand there are no wrong decisions -- only decisions that are right for you. Do not worry what other people will think about your choices. You know your dog better than anyone else in the world knows him. Once you are empowered with the information you need, listen to your heart and you will make the right decisions.

Q&A

Kitties get zits

just as people do

Q: I've noticed my cat gets bumps on his chin. They look like pimples. Is this something I should be worried about? And if so, what should I do about them? -- G.T., via e-mail

A: If you're grooming your cat on a regular schedule, you'll find you're more observant of changes in his body, such as the subtle weight loss that can be a sign of illness. One thing you don't need to be very observant to notice, however, is feline acne, which is just what it sounds like: pimples or blackheads on the chin of your cat.

Most classic acne cases occur in cats who are simply not good chin groomers. But be aware that there are many things that can contribute to the development and severity of feline acne, as well as other conditions that mimic it.

The root of the problem can be as difficult to pin down as it is to treat. A few possibilities include the following:

-- Tiny parasites called demodex mites that live in the hair follicles. (These are rare in cats, however.)

-- Ringworm, which is not a worm but a fungus (and one that you can catch, too!).

-- Contact dermatitis (a skin allergy), perhaps caused by a plastic food dish.

-- An abscess.

-- A food allergy.

-- An inhalant allergy -- something your cat's breathing in that he's allergic to.

You need to take your cat to your veterinarian to work out the exact problem and cure. The area needs to be kept washed, at the very least -- but don't squeeze the blemishes! You may additionally get prescribed creams, wipes or medications.

If you're following your veterinarian's directions and the problem shows no sign of improvement within a couple of weeks, discuss a referral to a dermatology specialist.

The good news is that feline acne is more of an aesthetic dilemma than a serious health concern. As long as the area doesn't become infected, your cat won't be bothered by the blemishes. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.

THE BUZZ

Finding a vet on the road

has never been this easy

-- With people taking their pets -- mostly dogs -- with them on vacation, it's no surprise that the hospitality industry has opened its doors to pets. Everything from high-end luxury hotels to modest highway-exit motels now welcome dogs and their owners, with amenities from special potty spots to room service. The American Animal Hospital Association has noticed all those roaming rovers, too. The AAHA has launched a trip-planner, which pinpoints veterinary clinics and hospitals along the way that meet the organization's standards for care. Plug in where you're starting from and where you're heading to, and you'll get not only driving directions for your trip, but the name, location and contact information for pet help along the way. The free service is at www.healthypet.com/RelocationAndTravel/TripPlanner.aspx.

-- African honeybees kill more people on the African plain than do lions, leopards or cheetahs. They form swarms of up to 30,000 bees and will pursue victims for up to a mile, repeatedly stinging them. More bee trivia: The queen bee was called the king bee until the late 1660s, when a Dutch scientist took the time to dissect one.

-- Catnip produces bouts of ecstasy for those cats who like the stuff -- about half of all cats. A substance called nepetalactone present in the leaves and stems causes the behavior, which lasts for just a few minutes and can include rolling, rubbing, leaping, purring and general uninhibited happiness. Kittens under the age of 3 months do not react to catnip, and even in those cats who truly adore the "high," the plant is nonaddictive and harmless. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon.

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

By Kim Campbell Thornton

The advances in veterinary medicine in just the last couple of decades have been dramatic, and these days many of the same lifesaving options in human medicine are also available to pets, often through skilled veterinary specialists.

Still, the idea that advanced treatments for cancer and other diseases or injuries are too much "to put a pet through" remains a common one, says Dr. Sandy Willis, a veterinarian who specializes in internal medicine.

But Josh, Tessa, Missy and Emma would surely beg to differ. The three dogs and one cat bore mute testimony to the power of veterinary medicine and an owner's love at the 2010 conference of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, held recently in Anaheim, Calif.

The pets are all survivors -- three of cancer, and one of a rare disease called leishmaniasis -- thanks to their owners' observations and perseverance in seeking care, as well as to the treatment they received after being referred to veterinary specialists.

Josh is a perfect example of how far specialty care has come. Just 17 hours after his first surgery to remove a large abdominal mass, the 8-year-old Golden Retriever was running enthusiastically to greet his owner. Josh has since had three more surgeries, plus chemotherapy, and every time it is all the vet techs can do to restrain him so he can recover safely. Dr. Brenda Phillips, a veterinary oncologist, says she has never known a patient who recovered faster than Josh.

Then there's Emma, whose problems began in 2002 with frequent sneezing and progressed to a bloody nose and other symptoms. A rhinoscopy showed that the 6-year-old cat had nasal lymphoma. Her oncologist, Dr. Mona Rosenberg, told owner Sharon Golding that the average life span after diagnosis of this disease is eight to 10 months, but her longest surviving patient lasted nine years. Golding chose to start Emma on chemotherapy, a regimen that lasted for three years.

Emma is now 14 and has been cancer-free for eight years. Golding has a goal: "We're going to beat Dr. Rosenberg's record."

Linda Hettich can barely hold back Tessa until the signal comes for the dock-diving black Labrador retriever to go airborne. Diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, Tessa had her tumor removed surgically by Dr. Rosenberg and began radiation treatment.

Two weeks after the first treatment, Tessa competed in a dock-diving event and jumped 23 feet, two inches, a personal best. Today, she's the only Iron Dog -- a dock diver that competes in all three divisions of the sport -- who is a cancer survivor, and as a therapy dog she is an inspiration to patients at the cancer center where she visits. "Her determination is like none I've ever seen," Hettich says.

Finally, there's Missy the mystery. If human, her case would probably inspire the writers of the television drama "House," in which diagnosticians face a new medical puzzle each week. Veterinary internal medicine specialist Dr. Steve Hill says Missy's mystery ended with a shocking diagnosis: Missy had leishmaniasis, a disease caused by a protozoan organism and most commonly seen in the Mediterranean. It's so rare in the U.S. that the Centers for Disease Control became involved after the diagnosis was made. There's no cure, but Missy has responded well to treatment.

"I think you can tell from all the owners who have spoken today how important the partnership is between the primary care vet, the specialty vets and the owners," says Joy Koda, one of Missy's owners, along with Jon Rosen. The extent of Missy's problems didn't deter either of them.

"We got Missy from the pound when she was probably 2 to 3 years old," Koda says. "She has enriched our lives incredibly. When it came to taking care of her, we were committed to that."

While it used to be that veterinary specialists -- including internists such as oncologists and cardiologists, and other board-certified veterinarians such as surgeons and dermatologists -- were found only at schools and colleges of veterinary medicine, these days most urban centers have specialty groups as well.

Ask your primary care veterinarian if a referral to a specialist can best help your pet.

(Kim Campbell Thornton is a experienced pet-care journalist and member of the PetConnection team. She also writes a regular feature for MSNBC.com.)

Q&A

Spay kitty mommas

just after weaning

Q: I have a kitten who's pushing 7 months old or thereabouts. We were a little slow in getting her spayed, and now I think maybe she's pregnant. What should I do? -- G.T., via e-mail

A: Start lining up some responsible new homes now for those kittens, most likely. (Make sure they're the kind of people who'll be ready to spay and neuter as soon as their veterinarian recommends it.)

If you suspect your young cat is pregnant, and she had access to the outdoors, she probably is indeed expecting. Your own veterinarian can give you advice specific to your cat, so be sure to check in there for the best advice.

We're in full stride on kitten season now, which means we're getting questions about feline pregnancy from people who often had no idea they'd be midwife to pets who are not much more than kittens themselves.

Typical questions include: How long does a cat pregnancy last? (On average, 66 days.) Do I need to help my pregnant cat with delivery? (Yes, usually by leaving her alone.) How do I know if she's close to delivering? (Watch for enlarged nipples and the secretion of a tiny amount of milk.)

The question we're asked least often is the most important of all: How soon after my cat gives birth can she be spayed? (As soon as the babies are weaned, the sooner the better!)

Studies show that 80 percent of the cats and dogs in the United States and Canada are spayed or neutered. If your cat is not among them, she should be, and soon. -- Gina Spadafori

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.

Dr. B's image and our text in this left-hand column

THE BUZZ

Chocolate bunnies

have long tradition

-- How did chocolate bunnies come to be linked to Easter? For the same reason candy corn was introduced for Halloween: to make money for the candy industry. Chocolate bunnies date back to the 1850s in Germany. Along with bunnies, merchants sold chocolate eggs and chickens. Switzerland, France and other European chocolate producers followed soon after that, with the U.S. and Canada not far behind.

The chocolate companies said that the bunnies symbolized renewal and rejuvenation, and were introduced to symbolize Spring, not strictly Easter -- although that's likely the time when you'll find them in most grocery baskets, along with an incredible array of marshmallow Peeps. The House Rabbit Society, which notes a spike in real bunnies needing homes after Easter, has used the popular candy as part of an educational campaign, suggesting that impulse bun-buyers "make mine chocolate," instead of buying a baby rabbit they're not prepared to care for.

-- The world's largest ant colony stretches from Italy to Portugal, some 3,700 miles. Compared to that, colonies of ants -- Tapinoma sessile, also known as the odorous house ant -- in parts of the U.S. have colonies that stretch a mere city block, according to NPR.

-- Besides humans and other primates, only some whales (including dolphins), elephants and European magpies are able to recognize themselves in a mirror. (Most children can't until they're about 18 months old.) -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon.

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.