Fleas and Ticks

While we are very fortunate to live in a pleasant West Coast climate, a temperate environment also means a year-round parasitic control program for our pets is especially important for animal and public health. Annual health exams are a vital tool for your veterinarian to diagnose, treat, and control external (i.e. fleas/ticks/mites) and internal (i.e. tapeworm, roundworm) parasites. Parasite infections can cause a variety of issues including, but not limited to, severe skin allergies, alopecia, gastrointestinal problems, and anemia. Protecting your pet from fleas and ticks is an essential role as a responsible pet owner. Our staff is trained to educate pet owners on the importance of parasite control and are happy to make suggestions based on your pet’s age, health status, daily routines, and travel habits.

Fleas make life miserable! A heavy flea burden is not always necessary to cause problems for our furry friends. One bite may be enough to aggravate or induce flea allergy dermatitis (indicated by prolonged itching and/or excessive grooming). It is important to be on top of the flea cycle, which can last from a few weeks to up to several months, depending on environmental conditions. All pets in a household should be treated. We offer broad-spectrum flea medications that attack many or all of the life and developmental stages of the flea cycle, including topical and oral liquid or tablet options.

Most of the time, a tick will not cause serious health problems; however, it is important to remove all ticks from your pet (and yourself) quickly to avoid transmission of potential tick-borne diseases. The best way to protect your pets is to administer consistent tick control year-round. Luckily, there are many medications that combine flea and tick prevention for companion animals. Call us today to find out what the best options are for your pet!