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Fleas & Ticks

 

Advantage (cats, fleas)/Advantix (dogs, fleas/ticks): Buy a box of six tubes, $20 manufacturer's rebate

Frontline GOLD (cats & dogs, fleas/ticks): Buy 6 tubes, get two free ~or~ Buy 3 tubes, get one free!

NexGard (Dogs only, fleas/ticks) Chewable tablets: Buy a box of 6 chews, get one free! (Prescription only product. Must have exam within 12 months)

Seresto (cats & dogs, fleas/ticks) Collars: $15 Rebate. These collars last 6-8 months as long as worn as directed.

Revolution Plus (cats, fleas/ticks/heartworm/ear mites/roundworms/hookworms)

All monthly products available, only here, as single doses if needed.

Remember, Advantage and Frontline manufacturers ONLY guarantee their products when purchased through a veterinarian. Purchasing here, we can make sure the doseage is accurate based on weight and age, counsel you on proper administration, flea infestations and flea allergies. Since they only come direct from the manufacturer, there is no chance of them being counterfeit.

Flea Control

Using veterinarian recommended flea control year round is your best bet at being ahead of the issue. And even though you may be properly applying it and on the recommended schedule, fleas can still come in the house on our shoes and pants, and in through screens and any opening. We can control them, but you may still see them. This does not mean your product isn't working. They will make contact with your pet and die. If you still have issues, call or stop in. 

Dogs and cats share the same fleas. Homes with carpets and central heating provide ideal conditions for the year-round development of fleas. Even though fleas may be in your house, you probably won't see them. The eggs are tiny, white specks the size of dust particles. The adult fleas - the only stage visible to the human eye - are quick and skilled at hiding. In fact, cats are such fastidious groomers they could very well be hosting fleas and we would never see them. These ingested fleas probably harbor tapeworms adding a second issue to deal with.

Fleas and their eggs thrive in warmth and humidity. Even though people living in geographic areas of the United States that have cold winters traditionally do not use flea preventions  at these times, in recent years more and more pets are receiving veterinary treatment for flea related itching and disease from November to March. Why is this? It all depends on the unpredictable weather cycle and heating conditions in the home.

Eggs can (but don't always) lay dormant in the cold, winter months and dry air of homes. However, all it takes is one day of temperatures above 40 degrees (F) for the eggs to hatch, and once hatched, they will search out a host and reproduce. Although older home heating systems and homes with wood burning stoves are typically dry-air homes, the newer furnaces and even wood stoves are equipped with humidity controls that also contribute to ideal flea conditions. Under these conditions, the flea can complete its entire life cycle in as little as two weeks. That said.... even taking control of environmental measures inside your home does not prevent these parasites from hitching rides inside on our own clothing and shoes. Even cats who never go outside need protection.

It is important that all pets in your home are on a flea preventive. As a veterinary medical team, we are now recommending year-round flea prevention, especially for those dogs and cats dealing with flea allergy. Just one flea bite can set off miserable allergy symptoms in these pets.

Apart from irritation, are fleas particularly harmful?

Parasitic dermatitis is an allergic reaction that is caused by a pet's hypersensitivity to substances in flea saliva. Itchy, inflamed skin and papules will appear on the skin where fleas are concentrated. Eventually the irritation may cause hair loss and infection. These symptoms can exist long after flea infestation has been eliminated and may require treatments of antihistamines and antibiotics. Parasitic dermatitis is usually caused by flea bites but can sometimes be triggered by tick bites.

Bartonella strains are bacterial parasites that are transmitted through flea or tick bites. Bartonella can infect humans, dogs, cats and rodents. Bartonella can cause multiple ailments depending upon the strain existent in the host. It is responsible for cat-scratch disease in humans.

Fleas can cause anemia in heavy infestations, especially in very young and old pets, or in those who may have existing medical conditions. A single female flea can take up to 15 times her body weight in blood over the several weeks of her adult life.

Fleas also act as vectors to spread one of the most common tapeworms of the dog and cat. Tapeworms exhibit as short, white segments much like rice. These can be found on feces, in the litter box as well as exiting from the rectum. Tapeworms should be taken seriously and treated immediately, especially if you have infants and small children in the house or visiting the house. You may find products in department stores and supermarkets that claim to treat tapeworms, but they DO NOT address all of the life cycles of this internal parasite. Call us if you need prescription tapeworm treatment. And remember, if you see tapeworms, your pet also has fleas or has been living with a pet with fleas, even if you do not see them!

Because fleas are parasites that can affect people, preventing fleas in your pet also means preventing fleas in your own home environment and family. Treating your pets for fleas has never been easier. With the many choices available today, we can provide you with the safest and most effective flea preventive for your pet's needs.

Ticks

Without question, ticks have become one of the most dangerous parasites in North America to both humans and pets. Ticks migrate from the ground surface or bushes to human or animal hosts then travel vertically until they cannot go any further. They latch onto the host and begin their slow meal of blood that can last several days. Although it may take about 12 hours for a bacteria or disease to be transmitted from the tick to the host, by the time the tick is large enough to see and remove, it's too late.

Certain ticks are indiginous to specific regions of the country. Over time, these ticks have traveled on their hosts making some areas of the country see more tick related diseases.

What diseases are associated with ticks?

Lyme disease, (see tab for more info), bartonella, erlichiosis, rickettsiae, meningoencephalitis and anaplasmosis. The annual blood parasite screen tests for lyme, erlichiosis, anaplasmosis and heartoworm (from mosquitoes).

How can I protect my dog from ticks?

Ticks are found in grassy, wooded, and sandy areas. Keeping animals from thick underbrush reduces their exposure to ticks. Dogs should be kept on trails when walked near wooded or tall grass areas. Ticks have been found on animals who even spend most of their time indoors. Catching a ride on shoes or pants is not unheard of!

Before getting into a vehicle after an adventure, or going in the house after playing outdoors or on the beach, do a visual check of the dog. You can even use a damp washcloth to wipe down the dog's legs and coat. An added benefit of doing this is that you remove any allergens and mold from the outdoors.

Veterinary science has also provided us with amazing prescription controls such as Advantix, Revolution and Frontline Plus that repel ticks that can cause diseases. Together with being actively proactive by checking your dog for ticks and screening yearly for disease, these products are important tools.