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The Do’s and Don’ts of Flea and Tick Control for Your Pets
 "The Do’s and Don’ts of Flea and Tick Control for Your Pets")
As a pet owner, do you stay on top of your pet’s parasite prevention routine, or do you sometimes find yourself a few days behind schedule?
The Essential Do’s and Don’ts of Flea and Tick Prevention
To provide your pet with the best protection against fleas, ticks, and the associated health risks, here are some key do’s and don’ts:
Do:
- Ensure that the flea or tick product is suitable for your pet’s current weight. If your pet has gained some weight, consider moving to a higher dose after consulting with our team.
- Follow the instructions carefully for topical treatments, especially when it comes to application and bathing times.
- Discuss with our vets the best treatment options for pets with specific needs, such as sensitive stomachs, breeding animals, or pets with a history of seizures.
- Check with us about combining flea, tick, heartworm, and intestinal worm preventatives safely and effectively.
- If you live near bushland, ask our team about safe and effective tick-repellent products.
- Regularly check your pet for ticks if you reside in or visit areas where ticks are prevalent.
To keep your pet safe, remember these don'ts:
Don’t:
- Miss any doses of flea or tick prevention. Set reminders to help keep track of your pet’s protection.
- Use dog flea or tick products on cats, as these can cause toxic reactions in felines.
- Stop treatments during winter. Flea and tick protection is necessary all year long!
Why should pets be protected against fleas?
Fleas are particularly common in warm weather but can also reproduce in warm indoor environments throughout the year.
So maintaining good flea control is also important when the cooler winter weather is upon us.
In many cats and dogs, flea bites will cause mild to moderate skin irritation. However, for dogs and cats with an allergy to flea saliva, flea bites can lead to severe inflammation and discomfort. Additionally, pets may scratch or chew excessively at any irritated areas, potentially triggering secondary bacterial skin infections requiring veterinary treatment.
As well as causing skin problems, fleas can also transmit Dipylidium tapeworms and other infectious diseases.
Why is it important to protect your pet against ticks?
Traditionally, we have thought of the life threatening paralysis tick predominantly being of concern in Queensland and the Eastern coast of Australia, but the reality is this dangerous tick is widespread and also seen in parts of Victoria, particularly in Gippsland. These ticks are also travelling to Melbourne by hitching a ride on pets, people or belongings that visited infested areas.
Whilst the paralysis tick season has traditionally run from early spring through summer, some areas of Queensland now also see paralysis cases all year round.
If you and your pet travel together, you may inadvertently enter a tick area without realising.
Tick paralysis is caused by the toxin of the Ixodes tick, and can affect both dogs and cats. Affected pets develop progressive muscle weakness, leading to an inability to walk, vomiting or regurgitation, and severe breathing difficulties which can sadly prove fatal.
Brown dog ticks infected with Ehrlichia canis (a bacteria) have now also been detected in Queensland, as well as Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia. Erhlichiosis infection is passed to dogs via the bites of infected ticks, leading to unwellness symptoms including fever, lethargy, bleeding disorders and potential death.
For personalised advice on protecting your pet, contact our team or call us at (03) 9596 4804. Keeping your pet’s parasite protection up to date is essential for their overall well-being.
If you have any further questions about protecting your pet against harmful parasitic hitchhikers, consult our friendly team today!
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