Fleas and ticks are two of the most common parasites affecting our small companion animals and are a frequent concern brought up in veterinary medicine. These insects feed on your pet’s blood and can cause health problems ranging from allergic reactions to serious tick-borne illnesses.
We recommend flea and tick prevention for any dogs that go out for daily walks or play in grassy or wooded areas. Unfortunately, these stubborn insects are prevalent in all grassy environments as long as there is protection from direct sunlight and can travel easily through carrier animals like birds and squirrels.
The peak times are early spring (March, April) and in the fall (late September to late November). However, due to the increasing numbers of ticks over the last few years and the inconsistency of our colder seasons, it is commonly recommended by our Veterinarians to start prevention as soon as it is above zero degrees celcius. Many clinics have actually stopped using the term “tick” season and have moved toward recommending year-round prevention.
There are many products available for flea and tick prevention, most commonly in the form of a monthly topical solution or an oral medication. If you have any questions or want to know which product best suits your cat or dog, please contact us or view our “products” section for a detailed list.