Flea and Tick Prevention

What Fleas and Ticks Do to Pets

If you do not provide your pet with an effective prevention against parasites, your pet could suffer from a variety of symptoms if your pet comes into contact with fleas or ticks. Pets that spend time outdoors are more prone to contracting fleas or ticks. If your pet has fleas or ticks, these parasites can be transferred onto humans. Fleas multiply in number quickly. They will embed themselves between your pet’s hairs and will bite your pet to feast upon his or her blood. If fleas become numerous, they will cause extreme itchiness for your pet. Some pets are also allergic to flea bites. Fleas can end up in your home’s carpeting, furnishings, and floors, making them difficult to eradicate without pesticide treatment. Ticks will attach onto a pet and bite at his or her skin. The area where the ticks bite, could become infected if the parasite is not removed promptly. Ticks can carry bacteria and disease as well.

How to Protect Your Pet At Home

It is best to spot check your pet if it spends a lot of time outdoors. If you notice fleas, use a flea comb to remove them from your pet’s fur. Ticks can be removed with a pair of tweezers. It is important to remove the jaw portion of a tick when conducting this process. Treat your lawn for parasites with a pet-friendly pest control agent. Keep on top of mowing grass so that fleas and ticks have fewer areas to hide.

How Our Veterinarians Can Help

Protecting your pet so that he or she do not contract fleas or ticks is the best way to keep them healthy and happy. This is done with medication provided by our veterinarians. Our veterinarians will conduct a full examination of your pet before they can provide you with the medication used to keep fleas and ticks at bay. If your pet is already suffering from a flea or tick problem, our veterinarians will assess the situation and treat the skin as needed. Medication will need to be used to kill off existing parasites.