Year-Round Prevention
Fleas and ticks are zoonotic, meaning they can transmit diseases to humans, making consistent year-round prevention crucial for protecting both pets and people from these pests and the health risks they pose. These parasites can be active throughout the year, not just in warmer months, and they can survive in indoor environments, becoming active even in cooler seasons. Consistent prevention helps control fleas and ticks by killing them before they have a chance to spread or lay eggs, which reduces the risk of re-infestation. Regular use of preventatives also protects against diseases transmitted by these pests. Additionally, it prevents discomfort from bites and simplifies management, making it easier to avoid dealing with infestations.
Checking and Managing Fleas and Ticks
Checking for Fleas:
- Inspect your pet's entire body, including ears, head, neck, armpits, groin, between toes, and under the tail.
- Look for small, round bumps or flea dirt (black specks) in the coat.
Checking for Ticks:
- Examine your pet thoroughly after outdoor activities, focusing on ears, head, neck, armpits, groin, between toes, and under the tail.
- Look for small, round, or oval bumps, which can be red or black.
By maintaining year-round prevention and regularly checking your pet, you can effectively manage and reduce the risk of flea and tick infestations.
Flea Facts
Fleas are tiny, wingless parasites that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. They are dark brown, about 1/8 inch long, and have powerful jumping abilities, allowing them to move easily between hosts. Fleas cause itching and discomfort in pets and can transmit diseases such as tapeworms.
Flea Infestations
When dealing with fleas on your pet at home, follow these guidelines for effective and safe removal:
Use Appropriate Flea Comb: Use a fine-toothed flea comb to remove fleas and flea dirt from your pet’s coat. Ensure the comb is designed to capture fleas and their eggs.
Check and Comb Regularly: Inspect and comb your pet regularly, especially if you suspect a flea infestation. Fleas are often found in areas where your pet can’t groom easily.
Disinfect and Clean: Wash your pet’s bedding, toys, and any areas they frequently visit in hot water to kill fleas and their eggs. Vacuum carpets and upholstery thoroughly and dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.
Treat the Environment: Consider using flea treatments for your home environment, such as sprays or flea bombs, to help eliminate fleas and prevent re-infestation.
Monitor for Symptoms: Look for signs of flea infestation, including itching, redness, and flea dirt in your pet’s coat. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult your veterinarian for advice.
Seek Veterinary Assistance if Needed: If you’re unsure about the effectiveness of your flea control methods or if the infestation is severe, seek veterinary advice. Your vet can recommend appropriate treatments or additional measures.
Effective flea control and regular monitoring are key to managing and preventing flea infestations.
Flea-Borne Illnesses
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD):
- Symptoms: Intense itching, redness, scabs, hair loss, and skin infections.
- Description: An allergic reaction to flea saliva, leading to severe discomfort and skin issues.
Tapeworms:
- Symptoms: Weight loss, visible rice-like segments in stool or around the anus, scooting.
- Description: Pets ingest infected fleas, leading to tapeworm infestation.
Cat Scratch Disease (CSD):
- Symptoms: Mild fever, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, and loss of appetite.
- Description: Cats can carry the bacteria Bartonella henselae without showing symptoms and transmit it to humans via scratches.
Tick Tips
Ticks are arachnids (related to spiders) that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. They range from 1/16 to 1/2 inch and attach to their host by embedding their mouthparts into the skin. Ticks can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis.
Inspect Regularly: Check your pet for ticks after outdoor activities, especially if they've been in wooded or grassy areas.
Examine the Entire Body: Ticks can be small and hard to spot. Check thoroughly:
- Ears: Look inside and around the ear flap.
- Head and Neck: Check around the collar area and under the chin.
- Armpits and Groin: Inspect these areas carefully.
- Between Toes: Look between the pads and in the spaces between toes.
- Under the Tail: Examine the base of the tail and surrounding areas.
Look for Unusual Bumps: Ticks may appear as small, round, or oval bumps on the skin. They can be red or black and may vary in size.
Tick Removal
When removing ticks from your pet at home, it’s essential to follow these guidelines to ensure safety and effectiveness:
Use Proper Tools: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Avoid using your fingers or other objects that might squeeze the tick.
Remove the Tick Entirely: Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out slowly and steadily. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can leave parts of the tick embedded in the skin.
Disinfect the Area: After removal, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, antiseptic, or soap and water to prevent infection.
Dispose of the Tick Properly: Place the tick in a sealed container or plastic bag before disposing of it. Avoid flushing it down the toilet, as ticks can survive in water.
Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for signs of infection or illness such as redness, swelling, or unusual behavior. If your pet shows any symptoms of tick-borne diseases, consult your veterinarian.
Seek Veterinary Assistance if Needed: If you’re unsure about the tick removal process or if the tick's head remains embedded, seek veterinary advice. Your vet can provide further guidance or remove any remaining tick parts.
Proper tick removal and monitoring can help reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses
Tick-Borne Illnesses
Lyme Disease:
- Symptoms: Lameness, fever, swollen joints, lethargy, loss of appetite.
- Description: Caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, it can lead to chronic joint and kidney issues if left untreated.
Anaplasmosis:
- Symptoms: Lameness, fever, joint pain, lethargy, loss of appetite.
- Description: Also known as “dog fever” or “dog tick fever,” caused by Anaplasma bacteria.
Ehrlichiosis:
- Symptoms: Fever, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty breathing, weight loss, bleeding disorders.
- Description: Caused by Ehrlichia bacteria, it can progress to chronic infection affecting the bone marrow.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF):
- Symptoms: Fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the face or limbs.
- Description: Caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, it can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.
Preventatives We Offer
Bravecto 1-Month
- Description: A chewable tablet for puppies up to 6 months old.
- Protection Duration: Monthly protection against fleas and ticks.
- Onset of Action: Starts working within 24 hours.
- Product Guarantee: Typically offers full protection against fleas and ticks as long as administered monthly.
Bravecto 3-Month
- Description: A chewable tablet for puppies 6 months and older.
- Protection Duration: Provides up to 3 months of protection against fleas and ticks.
- Onset of Action: Begins killing fleas and ticks within 24 hours.
Revolution
- Description: A topical solution for small puppies, kittens, and cats.
- Protection Duration: Monthly protection against fleas, ticks, ear mites, and certain intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms).
- Onset of Action: Begins working within 6 hours.
Bravecto Topical for Cats
- Description: A topical solution specifically for cats.
- Protection Duration: Provides up to 3 months of protection against fleas and ticks with a single application.
- Onset of Action: Starts working within 24 hours.
Each of these products is designed to provide reliable protection for your pet, but it's essential to follow the dosing schedule for optimal results. If you have any concerns or if your pet shows signs of infestation despite using these products, consult your veterinarian.