Parasite Prevention by Our North Richland Hills Veterinarian
What may seem like a minor nuisance to you can be dangerous and even life-threatening for your pet. Effective flea and tick prevention, stronger than typical over-the-counter treatments, can help you avoid serious health issues and the hassle of parasite infestations in your home. If your pet does have fleas or ticks, Cornerstone Animal Hospital offers professional flea treatments and safe tick removal at our clinic.
Dangers and Complications from Fleas and Ticks
Fleas can multiply rapidly, especially if unnoticed, leading to a full infestation in your home. Flea bites cause itching and discomfort for your pet and family, and can become infected. Fleas can also transmit diseases to your pet. Additionally, if your pet ingests fleas carrying worms, it can develop parasitic infections that deprive nutrients and, if untreated, can be fatal. Ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease, which can severely affect your pet’s health over time.
Types of Flea and Tick Prevention
Spot-on treatments are commonly used by veterinary clinics for preventing fleas and ticks. This involves applying a liquid solution to your pet’s neck, which is secreted through sweat glands to repel and kill fleas and ticks on contact. These treatments are affordable and generally well-tolerated by pets.
Sprays are another option, involving an alcohol-based solution applied directly to your pet. Side effects are slightly more common with sprays compared to spot-on treatments. Oral medications are also available and provide full-body protection, including areas sprays cannot reach. Sometimes a combination of methods or adjusted dosages is recommended to effectively protect against both fleas and ticks.
Treating Fleas and Ticks at Cornerstone Animal Hospital
If your pet becomes infested with fleas or ticks, our North Richland Hills veterinarians can help. Using sprays or spot-on treatments, we eliminate fleas from your pet. For ticks, we provide safe removal and can test ticks for diseases. We also offer treatments for your home to remove the source of infestation.
To schedule flea or tick prevention or treatment, contact our North Richland Hills veterinary office at Cornerstone Animal Hospital by calling (817) 514-8387.