When you have a pet, that pet is vulnerable to becoming infested with fleas and ticks. It's important to always have your pet on a flea and tick prevention medication. If your pet isn't on one of these medications, the pet care professionals at Concord Veterinary Clinic are ready to assist you. We have been providing pet owners in Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, and Lafayette with flea and tick prevention measures for many years.
Flea Bites
Flea bites are not only a nuisance, but are also dangerous. Fleas multiply quickly, so an infestation can start with just one flea. Once a pet is overrun with fleas, it can cause them to develop anemia because of blood loss from all the bites. Fleas also cause allergic dermatitis, which occurs when a pet's immune system goes haywire after a flea bite. Pets can also swallow fleas that are infested with tapeworms and other parasites.
Tick Bites
Tick bites can be just as bad as flea bites, and in many cases, even worse. Ticks spread several terrible diseases through their bites. Because they continuously ingest blood from pets, they stay in contact with the pet's bloodstream. This allows the opening to become infected with bacteria from the flea. Pets can also catch Lyme disease, typhus, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever from ticks. Many of the diseases spread to pets by ticks can be fatal to the pet. That makes it important to always have your pet on flea and tick prevention medication.
Preventing Fleas and Ticks
If your pet has fleas or ticks, they will need to be treated for them before they go onto a flea and tick prevention medication. They will also need a health exam to make sure that they are healthy enough for the medication. There are many ways that this medication can be administered to pets. It's common for pets to get a monthly medication that is chewable and easy for the pet to take. Topical treatments are also available. Some injections can keep pets flea and tick-free for up to a year.
Flea and Tick Prevention in Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, and Lafayette
When your pet needs to be put on flea and tick medication, it's important to get them an appointment for an exam. Call Concord Veterinary Clinic today at (925) 338-2375 for more information on flea and tick prevention or to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.
