Pet owners should remain vigilant about protecting their furry friends from the hazards of certain insects in the outdoors. Dr. Jordan Kobilca from Door County Veterinary Hospital and the Luxemburg Pet Clinic recommends that heartworm prevention is done year-round and that flea and tick prevention is done through the late fall. He suggests some tips on keeping your pet safe.
Common signs of flea and tick presence on your pet can include excessive scratching, licking or biting at the skin, hair loss, scabs, and pale gums. You can find more information on recommended Flea and Tick Prevention for your pet below:
Recommendations for Flea and Tick Preventative
Dogs
We recommend Frontline Plus & NexGard for flea and tick control on dogs. Frontline is a topical which is put on your dog between the shoulder blades once a month. NexGard is a oral chew given once a month; a lot of owners find this is much easier!
Cats
We recommend Revolution for flea control on cats. This product has been proven to be safe and effective and also has the additional benefits of treating ear mites, lice, heartworm, and some intestinal parasites in cats.
Frontline is also recommended for cats as well!
Unfortunately, at the Door County Veterinary Hospital we see reactions to some of the over-the-counter flea and tick products. Some of the reactions that may occur range from skin irritation, G.I. upset, lethargy and even seizures. Please contact your veterinarian if any of these symptoms occur when using over-the-counter products.
We would also like to bring to your attention that during the Fall and early Winter seasons is the time in which the fleas and ticks are more active. They are trying to find a warm body to attach to and nest in to get away from the cooler temperatures. Staying on flea and tick prevention until the first full frost is the best way to help keep your pets covered from the harmful effects of fleas and ticks.
