Flea and Tick Prevention Tips Every Pet Owner Must Know

As a pet owner, it’s easy to let life’s busy schedule push back your pet’s flea and tick treatments by a few days or even weeks. But consistent parasite prevention is crucial for the health and wellbeing of your furry companions.

We understand that it can be tough to keep on track with every dose. However, we want to remind pet owners of the importance of staying on top of your pet's flea and tick control routine. Here, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about keeping these pests at bay and ensuring your pet remains protected.

Fleas thrive in warm climates, but they can also survive indoors, especially when the heating is on during colder months.

For many cats and dogs, flea bites are more than a minor irritation. In sensitive pets, flea saliva can cause allergic reactions, leading to intense itching, inflammation, and discomfort. These reactions often result in pets excessively scratching or chewing at their skin, which can then escalate into secondary infections that need professional treatment.

Fleas also carry the risk of spreading diseases, such as tapeworms and other harmful pathogens, which is why keeping these parasites at bay is so important.

Although ticks are most active from spring to summer, certain areas, especially in Queensland, are now seeing tick paralysis cases year-round. Tick paralysis is caused by the toxin produced by the Ixodes tick, which can severely affect both cats and dogs.

Symptoms of tick paralysis include muscle weakness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, it can be fatal. It's a serious condition that requires urgent veterinary attention.

Additionally, brown dog ticks infected with the bacteria Ehrlichia canis are now present in several states, including Queensland. This infection can cause dogs to suffer from fever, lethargy, and potentially life-threatening bleeding disorders.

To effectively protect your pets from these harmful parasites, follow these key steps:

Do:

• Make sure you’re using the correct weight-based treatment for your pet. If their weight is on the upper limit of the dosage range, consult with our team to see if an adjustment to a higher dose might be safer.
• Follow product instructions carefully, especially regarding application methods and post-application advice like bathing restrictions.
• Speak to our vets if your pet has any health issues, such as a sensitive stomach or history of seizures, as they might require specific treatment options.
• Ask about the safest combination of treatments if your pet needs protection against not only fleas and ticks but also heartworm and intestinal worms.
• If you live near bushland, check with our vets about tick-repellent products that work best for your area.
• Conduct daily tick checks on your pet, especially if you’ve been in a high-risk area.

Don’t:

• Neglect regular treatments. Use reminders to ensure you’re applying the treatment as recommended by the product.
• Use dog-specific flea treatments on cats, as these can cause severe toxic reactions.
• Skip treatments during the colder months. Fleas and ticks can survive indoors or during mild winters, so it’s vital to keep your pet protected year-round.

If you need further advice or have questions about the best ways to protect your pets from parasites, Contact us today and our friendly team is here to help!