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. South Tampa Veterinary Care 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 over the rump and groin. The second most common problem associated with fleas is tapeworms. Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs, and when the flea is eaten by your pet, the flea and the tapeworm egg are ingested and the egg packets come out of the rectum causing an infestation. Therefore, no fleas = no tapeworms!
Ticks are known to carry many different types of bacteria that can cause zoonoses - diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people. These include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can cause skin lesions, vomiting, problems with your pet’s nervous system and depression. Lyme disease causes lethargy, pain in your pets' joints and a decrease in appetite.
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.
Types Of Flea Prevention Medication Available
When it comes to preventing fleas and ticks, there are several different types of medications available, including sprays, oral tablets, spot-on treatments and flea collars. South Tampa Veterinary Care can help you decide which method is best for your pet, depending on his or her lifestyle.
- Flea Collars – Seresto or Scalibor - Worn around your pet’s neck to help prevent flea infestations. Kills on contact.
- Oral Tablets – Simparica or Simparica Trio - Given once a month to control fleas and ticks. When the parasite bites your pet, it ingests the medication and dies.
- Topical Treatments – Advantage Multi or Revolution Plus - Placed on the skin between your pet’s shoulder blades once a month. Kills fleas and ticks on contact.
Flea and Tick Prevention Help With South Tampa Veterinary Care
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 medication where the parasite does not need to bite your pet in order to be killed, we may recommend flea collars and spot-on treatments. 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. If you have a current flea infestation, you may want to use a environmental spray treatment that kills fleas and ticks on contact.
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 (813) 835-8500 today.
