Keeping Your Pets Safe from Fleas & Ticks
When it comes to parasites, there is none more common and more frustrating than fleas and ticks. These two burdensome bugs may flourish in warmer seasons, but pet owners can very likely suffer them all year long. Our veterinarian at Kindred Care Pet Hospital in Richmond would like to take a look at the harm these parasites can cause your pet as well as yourself and what type of protection can be used to prevent these pests.
Fleas are Mean Biting Machines
Did you know that one flea can bite its host as much as 400 times a day! If you've ever had the misfortune of getting just one on you, then you already know how uncomfortable and utterly frustrating such a bite can be. Now, imagine an infestation on your pet who can't properly communicate their discomfort and pain and who can't get relief outside of dangerous scratching and itching. In addition to their painful, itchy bites, fleas can carry tapeworm larvae which can spawn intestinal tapeworms in both cats and dogs.
Ticks are Dangerous Disease Carriers
Ticks are incredibly dangerous bugs that can be almost impossible to see on cats and dogs with dark coats or long fur. When ticks are not promptly removed, they can cause serious health risks for dogs and cats as well as humans. Rocky Mountain Fever, Lyme Disease, and ehrlichiosis can all negatively impact your pet as well as yourself. These diseases can be debilitating to have and expensive, sometimes impossible to completely cure.
Stay Safe With Flea Prevention
The good news is that pet scientists and pet medication companies have recognized the threats that fleas and ticks pose and in recent years we’ve seen a big increase in the variety of effective flea and tick preventatives. A few of the best flea and tick prevention medications our veterinarian recommends include the following:
- NexGard: This is a prescription medication that comes in a yummy, beef-flavored and soft chewable pill. This pill is a specialized flea and tick preventative that is prescribed by pet weight and is specially formulated to kill adult fleas and ticks for thirty days.
- Provecta Advanced: This non-prescription parasite treatment actually works to kill and repel five common parasites. Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, biting fleas, and chewing lice all will be neatly prevented from landing and biting your pet following the application of Provecta Advanced. The one downside to this prevention is that it is a topical solution that may not work on some pets due to sensitive skin.
- Bravecto: This is a fantastic brand that has prescription chews and topical solutions for dogs and cats. Bravecto is considered one of the most effective solutions out there but you will need to schedule a veterinarian visit in order to get an annual prescription.
Schedule Your Vet Appointment Today
If you’re in Richmond and you’d like to get a prescription for a high-quality flea and tick preventative, call Kindred Care Pet Hospital today at (281) 265-0009. There is no doubt these pests can be annoying and sometimes even dangerous for your pet. Book your appointment today and keep your furry friend happy, healthy, and pest-free for years to come.
