Vets around the country have seen increasing numbers of canines with parasitic problems due to mild temperatures.

While you may be enjoying the mild weather that has been commonplace throughout this winter, your dog may have something different to say. Since many of the fleas, ticks and other parasites were never wiped out in the first major frost, they still pose a significant risk to canines outside of the major flea season. According to PJStar.com, veterinarians in Peoria, Illinois have been having a tough time with the amount of flea infestations coming through their doors and encourage pet owners to stay on top of their topical treatments.

"Fleas and ticks become an issue as temperatures stay relatively warm, because lots of organisms are dormant when it gets really cold," entomologist Mark DuBois, told the news outlet. "If it's not that cold, there's a greater likelihood they'll be out."

Many of the vets remark that they've never seen this frequency of parasite problems during the month of January, so they recommend both a topical treatment and an environmental one.

"With fleas, it's not just the animal but the environment that needs to be treated," Dr. Scott Demanes, a veterinarian at Demanes Animal Hospital, told the news source.

Treating your yard against these pests can be a wonderful way to safeguard your canine against an infestation. Hartz UltraGuard Yard and Kennel Spray is a great option that connects directly to your hose and can kill fleas and ticks. The product can also spray an area up to 8,000 sq. ft. so you can easily treat the spots in your yard where your pooch spends much of his time.

Of course, a topical treatment is one of the best means of protecting your furry friend from an infestation. Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea and Tick Drops will kill fleas, ticks and mosquitoes on contact for up to 30 days and makes use of an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) which inhibits the flea life cycle and prevents it from reaching adulthood. The topical drops are placed at the skin level between your dog's shoulder blades and down the length of his back to the tail. This is one of the easiest ways to protect your four-legged friend from a potential infestation and it will help you get in the swing of things when the height of flea season hits in the spring.