Fleas and ticks can cause discomfort, itchiness, allergic reactions, and can carry more serious diseases with them. The chance that your pet may get fleas or ticks depends on where you live and the environment around you. Fleas thrive in warmer weather, but may go dormant during the winter in colder areas. Ticks tend to live in wooded areas or areas with high grass. You should keep your pet away from areas like this, but if they do go exploring, you should check them for ticks and fleas after.
Ticks and fleas also pose a threat because it is not just your pet that they can affect. They can reproduce and affect humans as well. If you notice small bites, especially around your ankles, you might have fleas in your house. Fleas and ticks can be eliminated with a medicated bath and proper treatment from your vet. It is important to clean your house, especially areas where you pet frequently lounges, if they have fleas or ticks. As with most diseases, prevention is the greatest defense against ticks and fleas. There are many medications that we can recommend to make sure your pet is protected from these pests.
Here at Miller Animal Clinic we offer several kinds of flea and tick prevention:
- Credelio
30 day duration, chewable tablet that kills fleas and ticks.
- Vectra 3D
30 day duration, topical liquid that kills and repels fleas, mosquitoes, lice, mites and sand flies. Kills deer ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, and lone star ticks. Keep felines away until prevention is dry.
- Simparica
30 day duration, chewable liver flavor tablet. Kills adult fleas, and American dog ticks, lone star ticks, and Gulf Coast ticks.
- Revolution Canine
30 day duration, kills adult fleas and American dog tick. Also works as a Heartworm preventative.
- Revolution Feline
30 day duration, topical liquid that kills adult fleas and prevents eggs from hatching. Kills hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites. Also works as a Heartworm preventative.
- Capstar
24 hour duration, pill that starts killing fleas in 30 minutes.
- Catego
30 day duration, topical that kills and repels fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks and chewing lice within 6 hours. Kills ticks through contact so they do not have to bite to die.
