How Our Greensboro Veterinarian Can Help You with Flea & Tick Prevention
Flea and tick prevention is an important matter for dogs and cats. Not only can these pests be unpleasant, but they can also spread disease. Prevention is the best option, however, if you are a past the point of preventing a problem and need help solving one, our Greensboro veterinarian can assist.
Why Use Flea and Tick Preventatives
Both dogs and cats benefit greatly from the use of flea and tick preventatives. These pests don't discriminate, so your dog or cat is equally likely to pick one up. The only difference is that cats are often so diligent at grooming that their owners never know about the pests until there is a major problem. Owners also benefit from treating their pets, since both fleas and ticks will bite humans if given the chance.
Fleas can spread tapeworm, which is acquired when an animal eats an infected flea. They also reproduce rapidly and easily infest homes, outdoor living spaces, and other animals. Even indoor pets can get fleas if someone brings one inside with them. It only takes one female flea to create an infestation if the animals in the home are not on a preventative.
Ticks spread many more types of disease than fleas. However, your pet may be less likely to acquire ticks, depending on where they spend their time. Fleas are everywhere, but ticks tend to have preferred habitats. If you need tick control along with flea control, make sure that the method you choose is approved to kill both.
Types of Flea and Tick Preventatives
Spot-on topical and oral treatments are the most common options for flea prevention. There are also sprays, which can be useful in treating an immediate infestation. Flea preventatives may kill adults, prevent larvae from hatching, or both.
Currently, there are no oral medications approved to kill ticks on dogs and cats. However, there are a number of choices including spot-on treatments, sprays, and collars. Some treatments only kill certain types of ticks, so be sure to discuss with our veterinarian in Greensboro which options are most effective at controlling our local ticks.
If it is Too Late for Preventatives
Once you have an infestation, treatment requires more than just using a preventative on your dog or cat. In general, you must treat the animal, as well as the home and yard. There are a number of methods of doing so, and a Greensboro veterinarian at our clinic will be happy to help you choose one. Making sure that the treatment you use includes an insect growth regulator (IGR) will ensure that future flea larvae cannot hatch and start the problem all over again.
Call West Market Veterinary Hospital to See a Veterinarian in Greensboro
Here at West Market Veterinary Hospital, we are happy to speak to you about flea and tick preventatives, control, and treatment methods. To make an appointment with a veterinarian in Greensboro at our clinic, call (336) 292-4753 today!