Fleas and ticks are more than just a nuisance. They can make your pet extremely uncomfortable and cause several different types of illnesses, like flea allergy dermatitis and tapeworm infestations. Ottawa Veterinary Hospital can evaluate your pet to determine the best type of flea prevention medication.
Pet Health Hazards Of Fleas And Ticks
Fleas and ticks carry diseases that can cause serious harm to your pet. The most common problem associated with fleas is flea allergy dermatitis, which causes excessive itching, skin inflammation, sores and hair loss. The second most common problem associated with fleas is tapeworms. Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs, and when the flea is ingested by your pet, the egg can hatch in your pets gastrointestinal tract, causing a tapeworm infestation.
Ticks are known to carry many different types of bacteria that can cause zoonotic diseases such as rocky mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. Although one of the more common diseases in our area is ehrlichiosis in dogs. While treatment is often an option depending on the dogs health and age, it is often costly and has a lasting impact on your pets health. Dogs are not the only four-legged companion at risk for contracting a tickborne illness. Cytauxzoonosis is a major concern for cats. As this disease can be prevented, there is currently no cure or treatment for the disease which most often ends in death.
As you can see, ticks prove to be a serious health hazard to our pets and their owners. With all of the reliable and safe preventatives available today, why not keep you and your furry friend happy and healthy?
For pets who are small or advanced in age, a severe flea infestation can cause anemia, which is characterized by rapid breathing, lack of appetite and excessive sleeping. If you suspect your pet has anemia due to fleas, it is an emergency situation.
Pet Health Hazards of Heartworm Disease
Heartworm disease the serious and potentially fatal infection of a bloodborne parasite. Heartworms are spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. When the mosquito feeds it leaves behind the early stages of what eventually develop into adult heartworms. This infection comes with serious health implications that often impacts your pet for the entirety of their life. Unfortunately mosquitos are prevalent in our area which puts untreated pets at a high risk for contracting this disease. Cats and dogs alike are equally at risk, whether indoors or outdoors mosquitos are always looking for blood. It only takes one bite to contract heartworm disease. For cats, prevention is the only way to mitigate the risk of death from infection. Treatment for this disease is available for dogs but comes with side effects, a stringent recovery protocol and is very costly. Heartworm treatment can be 10x the cost of 12 months of prevention, that's nearly a lifetime of prevention for your pet. Preventatives are widely available for both dogs and cats and have proven to be very effective. From topical application to flavored chewables and even yearly injections, heartworm disease is easier than ever to prevent.
Flea and Tick Prevention Help With Ottawa Veterinary Hospital
When it comes to controlling fleas and ticks, you can count on us to provide you with the right type of medication for your pet and advice on how to rid your home of flea infestations. If you are looking for a no-hassle way to control fleas and ticks in your dog or cat, oral tablets may be the right solution.
For more information on our flea and tick prevention services or to schedule another type of service, like your pet’s yearly wellness examination, call us at (785) 242-3538 today.