The weather has certainly been unpredictable lately, but as we gradually transition from winter to spring, lengthening days and blooming spring flowers, there is a noticeable predictability to the health issues arising in our pet community. It takes a few (or twenty) years of being a vet in the same geographical area to really get a feel for these seasonal delights, but as sure as the smell of freesias and the sweet taste of loquats, the transition to spring brings with it some old faithful veterinary trends.

As the weather warms and the humidity increases, our old foe, the Fleas make a seasonal appearance. In Bermuda, fleas are present all year round as we don’t have the frosts that kill them off in colder climates, but they definitely prefer the hotter, wetter months and so increase in numbers as the weather warms.

Now is the time to stock up on your flea control products, wash your pets bedding at high temperatures and steam clean any areas you can’t wash.

With fleas, it’s much easier to keep on top of them when the numbers are low, rather than allowing an infestation to occur before treating.

The life cycle of a flea is three months in total, so it will take at least three months to get rid of them once they arrive, and to be successful you must treat all animals that enter the household.

The change in season also brings ear infections. As the moisture level in the air moves from drier to more humid it favours the growth of certain yeasts and bacteria which can in turn lead to ear infections.

Get into a good ear cleaning and drying routine with your pet, using a suitable product to break down wax but one that is gentle on the skin.

Avoid products with Tea Tree oil or Witch Hazel as they can cause skin irritation.

Regular cleaning will lower the risk of ear infections, but other factors also play a role such as ear shape and size, and whether your pet has ears that hang down or not.

Some breeds, such as bulldogs, poodle mixes and spaniels are more prone to ear infections, so you need to be even more vigilant with your cleaning with these breeds.

Pets start to shed their winter coats as the days become longer, so it’s a good time to get out the brushes and help them with the excess fur.

Vets also see an uptick in what we call ‘ears and rears’ issues, or dogs that suddenly start to get itchy ears without an ear infection and at the same time, start scooting their bums along the floor.

These are common signs of seasonal skin allergies, among other things, and should be addressed with your vet.

Seasonal allergies are very common in our subtropical climate, but the good news is that there are many different treatments and management approaches to help alleviate them.

Regular bathing in an oatmeal shampoo can help, as does wiping their paws as they enter the house from outdoors.

Speak with your vet to come up with a management and treatment schedule to suit your individual pet.

Watch out for my later column on seasonal changes in the summer months and how they affect our pets.

The hot, humid weather brings its own predictable veterinary trends, but with some useful tips and tricks we can keep our companion animals comfortable and safe through this sometimes-uncomfortable season.

• Lucy Richardson graduated from Edinburgh University in 2005. She started CedarTree Vets in August 2012 with her husband, Mark. They live at the practice with their two children, Ray and Stella, and their dog, two cats and two guinea pigs. She is also the FEI national head veterinarian for Bermuda