Pet Health Articles
Spring Has Sprung! Is Your Pet Protected from Fleas & Ticks?
Hello and thank you for reading my blog. I'm Carlos, and I had to talk about fleas and ticks again because they are just so pesky. Also, they are hanging around even more now that spring is here, just waiting to feast on a lovely feline like myself or one of my dog friends. Keep reading to learn more about the nasty diseases these parasites carry and what my friends at Buffalo Companion Animal Hospital recommend that you do to control them.
Diseases Carried by Fleas and Ticks
Fleas can carry cat scratch disease and tapeworm in addition to causing severe allergic reactions in sensitive dogs and cats. Ticks may transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, and several other serious diseases. It's essential to treat your pet with a flea and tick preventive before these parasites do serious damage to her health.
Consider Your Flea and Tick Prevention Options
Dogs and cats need flea and tick preventive all year long, but it's even more important in the warm weather seasons. Below are the options that the Buffalo Companion Animal Clinic recommends for your pet.
- Bravecto is an oral chewable pill that provides flea and tick prevention for up to three months. Bravecto comes in a variety of flavors and sizes.
- Parastar Plus is a topical solution that is applied to a spot on the back and works systemically for one month.
Consider Your Pet’s Lifestyle
Cats who stay indoors need less aggressive flea and tick prevention than dogs who regularly spend time in the woods or tall grass. However, you need to treat all of your pets whether they go outside or not. That is because fleas and ticks can easily get into your home on shoes or clothing and then seek a new host. Additionally, don’t stop treating your pet if she doesn’t seem to display signs of having these parasites. That means the preventive treatment is working, but fleas and ticks will quickly return to an untreated pet.
We’re Here to Help
Our staff understands that it can be challenging to choose an effective flea and tick prevention program for your dog or cat. We are happy to provide you with a recommendation after evaluating your pet. Please contact Buffalo Companion Animal Hospital to schedule a consultation or ask your veterinarian for a recommendation at your pet’s next wellness exam.
Image credit: Okassi68| iStock Photo
